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Dow Jones in 1961

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 18.7% in 1961, from 615.89 at the end of 1960 to 731.14. Its highest close was 734.91 on Dec 13 — a record that stood until September 5, 1963, and its lowest 610.25 on Jan 3. The biggest one-day fall was −1.8% on Apr 24 and the biggest rise +1.8% on Jan 4. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 17.9%.

Change in 1961
+18.7%
615.89 → 731.14
High
734.91
Dec 13
Low
610.25
Jan 3
After inflation
+17.9%
US CPI
Up days
136 of 250
longest run 8 up, 5 down
Record highs
19
closing records

Dow Jones, daily closes 1961

Numbers mark the events below
622673723previous recordJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec1Jan 4: Biggest one-day rise of the year: +1.8%.2Apr 10: sets the first of 19 record closing highs this year, at 692.06.3Apr 24: Biggest one-day fall of the year: −1.8%.4May 17: closes above 700 for the first time (705.52).5Aug 13: East Germany begins construction of the Berlin Wall.6Dec 13: Last record close of the year: 734.91.

Key Events in 1961

What happened, and how the Dow Jones moved — on the day (or the next trading day) and about a month later.

  1. 1
    Wednesday, January 4 From the data
    Biggest one-day rise of the year: +1.8%.
  2. 2
    Monday, April 10 From the data
    sets the first of 19 record closing highs this year, at 692.06.
  3. 3
    Monday, April 24 From the data
    Biggest one-day fall of the year: −1.8%.
  4. 4
    Wednesday, May 17 From the data
    closes above 700 for the first time (705.52).
  5. 5
    Sunday, August 13
    East Germany begins construction of the Berlin Wall. Source
    Dow Jones: −0.5% next trading day (Aug 14) · 0.0% a month later
  6. 6
    Wednesday, December 13 From the data
    Last record close of the year: 734.91.

Biggest days of 1961

Best daysWorst days
Jan 4+1.8%Apr 24−1.8%
Apr 25+1.6%Sep 25−1.4%
Nov 8+1.3%Sep 19−1.2%
Jul 27+1.2%Feb 6−1.1%
Apr 10+1.2%Jun 26−1.1%

Volatility: 9.1% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

MonthCloseChangeHighLow
Jan648.20+5.2%650.64610.25
Feb662.08+2.1%662.08637.04
Mar676.63+2.2%679.38661.08
Apr678.71+0.3%696.72672.66
May696.72+2.7%705.96677.05
Jun683.96−1.8%703.79680.68
Jul705.37+3.1%705.37679.30
Aug719.94+2.1%725.76710.46
Sep701.21−2.6%726.53691.86
Oct703.92+0.4%708.49697.24
Nov721.60+2.5%734.34703.84
Dec731.14+1.3%734.91720.10

Other Markets in 1961

Change over the calendar year.

MarketChangeYear-end
Dow Jones+18.7%731.14
S&P 500 in 1961+23.1%71.55
1960196119621963196419651966196719681969

Dow Jones in 1961: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1961?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 18.7% in 1961, from 615.89 at the end of 1960 to 731.14. Its highest close was 734.91 on Dec 13 — a record that stood until September 5, 1963, and its lowest 610.25 on Jan 3. The biggest one-day fall was −1.8% on Apr 24 and the biggest rise +1.8% on Jan 4. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 17.9%.

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1961?

Highest: 734.91 on December 13, 1961. Lowest: 610.25 on January 3, 1961. It closed higher on 136 of 250 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on August 13, 1961?

East Germany begins construction of the Berlin Wall. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5% on the next trading day (August 14, 1961), and was 0.0% a month later.

Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1961?

Yes — 19 record closing highs, the last at 734.91 on December 13, 1961.

Data: Daily closes since 26 May 1896. Saturday sessions were held until 1952. The NYSE was closed from 31 Jul to 11 Dec 1914. Price index: dividends are not included. Inflation: US CPI-U. Events marked "From the data" are found automatically from the closing prices; the others are researched, with the source linked. Not investment advice.