Dow Jones in 1971

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 6.1% in 1971, from 838.92 at the end of 1970 to 890.20. Its highest close was 950.82 on Apr 28, and its lowest 797.97 on Nov 23. The biggest one-day fall was −1.9% on Jun 18 and the biggest rise +3.8% on Aug 16. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 2.8%.

Change in 1971

+6.1%

838.92 → 890.20

High

950.82

Apr 28

Low

797.97

Nov 23

After inflation

+2.8%

US CPI

Up days

132 of 253

longest run 10 up, 11 down

Below record

-10.5%

at the end of 1971

Dow Jones, daily closes 1971

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1971

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

1
Monday, February 8

Nasdaq begins operations as the first electronic stock market. Source

Dow Jones: +0.6% that day · +2.6% a month later
2
Friday, June 18 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −1.9%.
3
Sunday, August 15

Nixon closes the gold window, ending dollar convertibility to gold, and announces wage and price controls. Source

Dow Jones: +3.8% next trading day (Aug 16) · +5.3% a month later

Biggest days of 1971

Best days		Worst days
Aug 16	+3.8%	Jun 18	−1.9%
Nov 26	+2.2%	Aug 3	−1.7%
Dec 1	+1.8%	May 17	−1.6%
Nov 3	+1.8%	Nov 1	−1.6%
Nov 29	+1.6%	Aug 18	−1.5%

Volatility: 11.1% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	868.50	+3.5%	868.50	830.57
Feb	878.83	+1.2%	890.06	868.98
Mar	904.37	+2.9%	916.83	882.39
Apr	941.75	+4.1%	950.82	903.04
May	907.81	−3.6%	939.92	905.78
Jun	891.14	−1.8%	923.06	873.10
Jul	858.43	−3.7%	903.40	858.43
Aug	898.07	+4.6%	908.37	839.59
Sep	887.19	−1.2%	920.93	883.47
Oct	839.00	−5.4%	901.80	836.38
Nov	831.34	−0.9%	843.17	797.97
Dec	890.20	+7.1%	893.66	846.01

Other Markets in 1971

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Dow Jones	+6.1%	890.20
S&P 500 in 1971	+10.8%	102.09
Gold in 1971	+16.7%	$43.62
Silver in 1971	−16.0%	$1.37
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1971	−0.61 pp	5.89%

1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

Dow Jones in 1971: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1971?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1971?

Highest: 950.82 on April 28, 1971. Lowest: 797.97 on November 23, 1971. It closed higher on 132 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on August 15, 1971?

Nixon closes the gold window, ending dollar convertibility to gold, and announces wage and price controls. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.8% on the next trading day (August 16, 1971), and was +5.3% a month later.

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.