Dow Jones in 1991

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 20.3% in 1991, from 2,633.66 at the end of 1990 to 3,168.83. Its highest close was 3,168.83 on Dec 31 — a record that stood until January 2, 1992, and its lowest 2,470.30 on Jan 9. The biggest one-day fall was −3.9% on Nov 15 and the biggest rise +4.6% on Jan 17. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 16.7%.

Change in 1991

+20.3%

2,633.66 → 3,168.83

High

3,168.83

Dec 31

Low

2,470.30

Jan 9

After inflation

+16.7%

US CPI

Up days

124 of 253

longest run 9 up, 6 down

Record highs

closing records

Dow Jones, daily closes 1991

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1991

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

1
Thursday, January 17

US-led coalition begins Operation Desert Storm air campaign against Iraq. Source

Dow Jones: +4.6% that day · +14.7% a month later
2
Thursday, February 28

Operation Desert Storm ends after the 100-hour ground campaign. Source

Dow Jones: −0.2% that day · +0.9% a month later
3
Wednesday, April 17 From the data

sets the first of 11 record closing highs this year, at 3,004.46. closes above 3,000 for the first time (3,004.46). Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 2,999.75 (July 16, 1990).
4
Monday, August 19

Hardliners launch a coup attempt against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev; it collapses within days. Source

Dow Jones: −2.4% that day · +1.5% a month later
5
Friday, November 15 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −3.9%.
6
Thursday, December 26

The Soviet Union is formally dissolved. Source

Dow Jones: +1.0% that day · +6.0% a month later
7
Tuesday, December 31 From the data

Last record close of the year: 3,168.83.

Biggest days of 1991

Best days		Worst days
Jan 17	+4.6%	Nov 15	−3.9%
Aug 21	+3.0%	Aug 19	−2.4%
Dec 23	+3.0%	Mar 19	−2.1%
Feb 11	+2.5%	Jun 24	−1.8%
Apr 2	+2.2%	May 10	−1.7%

Volatility: 14.7% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	2,736.39	+3.9%	2,736.39	2,470.30
Feb	2,882.18	+5.3%	2,934.65	2,730.69
Mar	2,913.86	+1.1%	2,973.27	2,855.45
Apr	2,887.87	−0.9%	3,004.46	2,873.02
May	3,027.50	+4.8%	3,027.50	2,865.38
Jun	2,906.75	−4.0%	3,035.33	2,906.75
Jul	3,024.82	+4.1%	3,024.82	2,932.47
Aug	3,043.60	+0.6%	3,055.23	2,898.03
Sep	3,016.77	−0.9%	3,029.07	2,982.56
Oct	3,069.10	+1.7%	3,077.15	2,942.75
Nov	2,894.68	−5.7%	3,065.30	2,894.68
Dec	3,168.83	+9.5%	3,168.83	2,863.82

Other Markets in 1991

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Dow Jones	+20.3%	3,168.83
S&P 500 in 1991	+26.3%	417.09
Nasdaq Composite in 1991	+56.9%	586.34
Russell 2000 in 1991	+43.7%	189.94
Nikkei 225 in 1991	−3.6%	22,984.00
Gold in 1991	−8.6%	$353.15
Silver in 1991	−7.9%	$3.86
WTI crude oil in 1991	−32.8%	$19.15
Brent crude oil in 1991	−37.4%	$17.75
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1991	−1.37 pp	6.71%

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Dow Jones in 1991: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1991?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1991?

Highest: 3,168.83 on December 31, 1991. Lowest: 2,470.30 on January 9, 1991. It closed higher on 124 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on January 17, 1991?

US-led coalition begins Operation Desert Storm air campaign against Iraq. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 4.6% that day, and was +14.7% a month later.

Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1991?

Yes — 11 record closing highs, the last at 3,168.83 on December 31, 1991.

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.