Dow Jones in 1997

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 22.6% in 1997, from 6,448.26 at the end of 1996 to 7,908.24. Its highest close was 8,259.30 on Aug 6 — a record that stood until February 10, 1998, and its lowest 6,391.69 on Apr 11. The biggest one-day fall was −7.2% on Oct 27 and the biggest rise +4.7% on Oct 28. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 20.6%.

Change in 1997

+22.6%

6,448.26 → 7,908.24

High

8,259.30

Aug 6

Low

6,391.69

Apr 11

After inflation

+20.6%

US CPI

Up days

138 of 253

longest run 7 up, 5 down

Record highs

closing records

Dow Jones, daily closes 1997

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1997

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

1
Monday, January 6 From the data

Dow Jones sets the first of 39 record closing highs this year, at 6,567.17.
2
Thursday, February 13 From the data

Dow Jones closes above 7,000 for the first time (7,022.43).
3
Wednesday, July 2

Thailand floats the baht, starting the Asian financial crisis. Source

Dow Jones: +0.9% that day · +6.5% a month later
4
Wednesday, July 16 From the data

Dow Jones closes above 8,000 for the first time (8,038.88).
5
Wednesday, August 6 From the data

Last record close of the year: 8,259.30.
6
Thursday, October 23

Hong Kong Monetary Authority raises overnight rates to defend the dollar peg as the Hang Seng slumps. Source

Dow Jones: −2.3% that day · −2.6% a month later
7
Monday, October 27

Dow falls 554.26 points (7.18%); NYSE circuit breakers halt and then end trading early. Source

Dow Jones: −7.2% that day · +0.7% a month later
8
Tuesday, October 28 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +4.7%.

Biggest days of 1997

Best days		Worst days
Oct 28	+4.7%	Oct 27	−7.2%
Sep 2	+3.4%	Aug 15	−3.1%
Nov 3	+3.1%	Jun 23	−2.5%
Apr 29	+2.6%	Mar 31	−2.3%
Apr 22	+2.6%	Oct 23	−2.3%

Volatility: 18.7% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	6,813.08	+5.7%	6,883.89	6,442.49
Feb	6,877.73	+0.9%	7,067.46	6,746.89
Mar	6,583.47	−4.3%	7,085.16	6,583.47
Apr	7,008.99	+6.5%	7,008.99	6,391.69
May	7,331.04	+4.6%	7,383.40	6,976.47
Jun	7,672.79	+4.7%	7,796.51	7,269.65
Jul	8,222.61	+7.2%	8,254.89	7,722.32
Aug	7,622.42	−7.3%	8,259.30	7,622.42
Sep	7,945.25	+4.2%	7,996.83	7,660.98
Oct	7,442.08	−6.3%	8,178.31	7,161.14
Nov	7,823.12	+5.1%	7,881.06	7,401.31
Dec	7,908.24	+1.1%	8,149.13	7,660.12

Other Markets in 1997

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Dow Jones	+22.6%	7,908.24
S&P 500 in 1997	+31.0%	970.43
Nasdaq Composite in 1997	+21.6%	1,570.35
Russell 2000 in 1997	+20.5%	437.02
Nikkei 225 in 1997	−21.2%	15,259.00
Gold in 1997	−21.4%	$290.20
Silver in 1997	+25.4%	$5.98
WTI crude oil in 1997	−31.9%	$17.65
Brent crude oil in 1997	−33.6%	$15.86
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1997	−0.68 pp	5.75%

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Dow Jones in 1997: FAQ

How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1997?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1997?

Highest: 8,259.30 on August 6, 1997. Lowest: 6,391.69 on April 11, 1997. It closed higher on 138 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on October 27, 1997?

Dow falls 554.26 points (7.18%); NYSE circuit breakers halt and then end trading early. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 7.2% that day, and was +0.7% a month later.

Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1997?

Yes — 39 record closing highs, the last at 8,259.30 on August 6, 1997.

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.