Dow Jones in 1986

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 22.6% in 1986, from 1,546.67 at the end of 1985 to 1,895.95. Its highest close was 1,955.57 on Dec 2 — a record that stood until January 5, 1987, and its lowest 1,502.29 on Jan 22. The biggest one-day fall was −4.6% on Sep 11 and the biggest rise +2.5% on Mar 11. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 21.3%.

Change in 1986

+22.6%

1,546.67 → 1,895.95

High

1,955.57

Dec 2

Low

1,502.29

Jan 22

After inflation

+21.3%

US CPI

Up days

137 of 253

longest run 6 up, 6 down

Record highs

closing records

Dow Jones, daily closes 1986

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1986

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

1
Tuesday, January 7 From the data

Dow Jones sets the first of 30 record closing highs this year, at 1,565.71.
2
Tuesday, March 11 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +2.5%.
3
Thursday, March 13

Microsoft goes public on Nasdaq. Source

Dow Jones: +0.5% that day · +2.6% a month later
4
Thursday, September 11 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −4.6%.
5
Wednesday, October 22

Reagan signs the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Source

Dow Jones: +0.1% that day · +1.2% a month later
6
Monday, October 27

London's 'Big Bang' deregulation of the stock exchange takes effect. Source

Dow Jones: +0.5% that day · +4.0% a month later
7
Tuesday, December 2 From the data

Last record close of the year: 1,955.57.

Biggest days of 1986

Best days		Worst days
Mar 11	+2.5%	Sep 11	−4.6%
Dec 2	+2.2%	Jul 7	−3.3%
Mar 14	+2.2%	Jan 8	−2.5%
Apr 16	+2.1%	Jun 9	−2.4%
Sep 4	+2.0%	Nov 18	−2.3%

Volatility: 15.3% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	1,570.99	+1.6%	1,570.99	1,502.29
Feb	1,709.06	+8.8%	1,713.99	1,593.12
Mar	1,818.61	+6.4%	1,821.72	1,686.42
Apr	1,783.98	−1.9%	1,855.90	1,735.51
May	1,876.71	+5.2%	1,882.35	1,758.18
Jun	1,892.72	+0.9%	1,892.72	1,837.19
Jul	1,775.31	−6.2%	1,909.03	1,766.87
Aug	1,898.34	+6.9%	1,904.53	1,763.64
Sep	1,767.58	−6.9%	1,919.71	1,755.20
Oct	1,877.81	+6.2%	1,878.37	1,774.18
Nov	1,914.23	+1.9%	1,916.76	1,817.21
Dec	1,895.95	−1.0%	1,955.57	1,895.95

Other Markets in 1986

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Dow Jones	+22.6%	1,895.95
S&P 500 in 1986	+14.6%	242.17
Nasdaq Composite in 1986	+7.4%	348.80
Nikkei 225 in 1986	+43.9%	18,821.00
Gold in 1986	+19.0%	$388.75
Silver in 1986	−8.9%	$5.28
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1986	−1.77 pp	7.23%

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

Dow Jones in 1986: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1986?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1986?

Highest: 1,955.57 on December 2, 1986. Lowest: 1,502.29 on January 22, 1986. It closed higher on 137 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on October 27, 1986?

London's 'Big Bang' deregulation of the stock exchange takes effect. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5% that day, and was +4.0% a month later.

Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1986?

Yes — 30 record closing highs, the last at 1,955.57 on December 2, 1986.

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.