Dow Jones in 1994

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.1% in 1994, from 3,754.09 at the end of 1993 to 3,834.44. Its highest close was 3,978.36 on Jan 31 — a record that stood until February 15, 1995, and its lowest 3,593.35 on Apr 4. The biggest one-day fall was −2.4% on Nov 22 and the biggest rise +2.3% on Apr 5. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 0.5%.

Change in 1994

+2.1%

3,754.09 → 3,834.44

High

3,978.36

Jan 31

Low

3,593.35

Apr 4

After inflation

−0.5%

US CPI

Up days

128 of 252

longest run 7 up, 5 down

Record highs

closing records

Dow Jones, daily closes 1994

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1994

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

1
Saturday, January 1

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) enters into force. Source

Dow Jones: +0.1% next trading day (Jan 3) · +6.0% a month later
2
Wednesday, January 5 From the data

sets the first of 12 record closing highs this year, at 3,798.82.
3
Monday, January 31 From the data

Last record close of the year: 3,978.36.
4
Friday, February 4

Fed raises its federal funds target to 3.25%, its first tightening since 1989, starting a bond-market sell-off. Source

Dow Jones: −2.4% that day · −2.8% a month later
5
Tuesday, April 5 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +2.3%.
6
Tuesday, November 22 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −2.4%.
7
Tuesday, December 20

Mexico devalues the peso, triggering the Mexican peso crisis; the peso is floated two days later. Source

Dow Jones: −0.6% that day · +2.4% a month later

Biggest days of 1994

Best days		Worst days
Apr 5	+2.3%	Nov 22	−2.4%
Aug 24	+1.9%	Feb 4	−2.4%
Apr 25	+1.6%	Mar 30	−2.0%
Sep 15	+1.5%	Sep 20	−1.7%
Apr 21	+1.5%	Mar 29	−1.7%

Volatility: 10.9% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	3,978.36	+6.0%	3,978.36	3,756.60
Feb	3,832.02	−3.7%	3,975.54	3,832.02
Mar	3,635.96	−5.1%	3,895.65	3,626.75
Apr	3,681.69	+1.3%	3,705.78	3,593.35
May	3,758.37	+2.1%	3,766.35	3,629.04
Jun	3,624.96	−3.5%	3,814.82	3,624.96
Jul	3,764.50	+3.8%	3,764.50	3,646.65
Aug	3,913.42	+4.0%	3,917.30	3,747.01
Sep	3,843.18	−1.8%	3,953.87	3,831.74
Oct	3,908.12	+1.7%	3,936.04	3,775.56
Nov	3,739.22	−4.3%	3,863.37	3,674.63
Dec	3,834.44	+2.5%	3,861.69	3,685.73

Other Markets in 1994

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Dow Jones	+2.1%	3,834.44
S&P 500 in 1994	−1.5%	459.27
Nasdaq Composite in 1994	−3.2%	751.96
Russell 2000 in 1994	−3.2%	250.36
Nikkei 225 in 1994	+13.2%	19,723.00
Gold in 1994	−2.2%	$383.25
Silver in 1994	−5.2%	$4.85
WTI crude oil in 1994	+25.2%	$17.77
Brent crude oil in 1994	+23.1%	$16.23
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1994	+2.01 pp	7.84%

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Dow Jones in 1994: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1994?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1994?

Highest: 3,978.36 on January 31, 1994. Lowest: 3,593.35 on April 4, 1994. It closed higher on 128 of 252 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on February 4, 1994?

Fed raises its federal funds target to 3.25%, its first tightening since 1989, starting a bond-market sell-off. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.4% that day, and was −2.8% a month later.

Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1994?

Yes — 12 record closing highs, the last at 3,978.36 on January 31, 1994.

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.