Dow Jones in 1990

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.3% in 1990, from 2,753.20 at the end of 1989 to 2,633.66. Its highest close was 2,999.75 on Jul 16 — a record that stood until April 17, 1991, and its lowest 2,365.10 on Oct 11. The biggest one-day fall was −3.3% on Aug 6 and the biggest rise +3.1% on Aug 27. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 9.8%.

Change in 1990

−4.3%

2,753.20 → 2,633.66

High

2,999.75

Jul 16

Low

2,365.10

Oct 11

After inflation

−9.8%

US CPI

Up days

133 of 253

longest run 7 up, 6 down

Record highs

closing records

Dow Jones, daily closes 1990

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1990

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

1
Tuesday, January 2 From the data

sets the first of 15 record closing highs this year, at 2,810.15.
2
Tuesday, February 13

Drexel Burnham Lambert, the leading junk-bond underwriter, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Source

Dow Jones: +0.2% that day · +2.6% a month later
3
Monday, July 16 From the data

Last record close of the year: 2,999.75.
4
Thursday, August 2

Iraq invades Kuwait, beginning the Gulf crisis. Source

Dow Jones: −1.2% that day · −10.6% a month later
5
Monday, August 6 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −3.3%.
6
Monday, August 27 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +3.1%.
7
Thursday, October 11 From the data

Enters a bear market: 20% below its peak of 2,999.75 (July 16, 1990). Bear market low: 2,365.10, 21.2% below the peak.
8
Thursday, November 29

UN Security Council Resolution 678 sets a 15 January 1991 deadline for Iraq to leave Kuwait. Source

Dow Jones: −0.6% that day · +3.7% a month later

Biggest days of 1990

Best days		Worst days
Aug 27	+3.1%	Aug 6	−3.3%
Oct 19	+2.8%	Oct 9	−3.1%
Oct 18	+2.7%	Aug 23	−3.0%
Oct 1	+2.6%	Jan 22	−2.9%
May 11	+2.3%	Jan 12	−2.6%

Volatility: 16.3% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	2,590.54	−5.9%	2,810.15	2,543.24
Feb	2,627.25	+1.4%	2,649.55	2,564.19
Mar	2,707.21	+3.0%	2,755.63	2,635.59
Apr	2,656.76	−1.9%	2,765.77	2,645.05
May	2,876.66	+8.3%	2,878.56	2,668.92
Jun	2,880.69	+0.1%	2,935.89	2,842.33
Jul	2,905.20	+0.9%	2,999.75	2,879.21
Aug	2,614.36	−10.0%	2,899.26	2,483.42
Sep	2,452.48	−6.2%	2,628.22	2,427.48
Oct	2,442.33	−0.4%	2,523.76	2,365.10
Nov	2,559.65	+4.8%	2,565.35	2,440.84
Dec	2,633.66	+2.9%	2,637.13	2,565.59

Other Markets in 1990

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Dow Jones	−4.3%	2,633.66
S&P 500 in 1990	−6.6%	330.22
Nasdaq Composite in 1990	−17.8%	373.80
Russell 2000 in 1990	−21.5%	132.20
Nikkei 225 in 1990	−38.7%	23,849.00
Gold in 1990	−3.1%	$386.20
Silver in 1990	−19.6%	$4.19
WTI crude oil in 1990	+30.4%	$28.48
Brent crude oil in 1990	+34.7%	$28.35
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1990	+0.15 pp	8.08%

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Dow Jones in 1990: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average fall in 1990?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1990?

Highest: 2,999.75 on July 16, 1990. Lowest: 2,365.10 on October 11, 1990. It closed higher on 133 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on August 2, 1990?

Iraq invades Kuwait, beginning the Gulf crisis. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.2% that day, and was −10.6% a month later.

Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1990?

Yes — 15 record closing highs, the last at 2,999.75 on July 16, 1990.

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.