Nasdaq in 1973

The Nasdaq Composite fell 31.1% in 1973, from 133.73 at the end of 1972 to 92.19. Its highest close was 136.84 on Jan 11 — a record that stood until September 7, 1978, and its lowest 88.67 on Dec 24. The biggest one-day fall was −3.3% on Nov 26 and the biggest rise +2.1% on May 24. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 36.6%.

Change in 1973

−31.1%

133.73 → 92.19

High

136.84

Jan 11

Low

88.67

Dec 24

After inflation

−36.6%

US CPI

Up days

118 of 252

longest run 9 up, 9 down

Record highs

closing records

Nasdaq, daily closes 1973

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1973

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

1
Wednesday, January 3 From the data

Nasdaq sets the first of 6 record closing highs this year, at 135.38.
2
Thursday, January 11

Dow peaks, beginning the 1973-74 bear market. Source

Nasdaq: +0.6% that day · −7.5% a month later
3
Wednesday, April 25 From the data

Enters a bear market: 20% below its peak of 136.84 (January 11, 1973).
4
Thursday, April 26

The Chicago Board Options Exchange begins trading. Source

Nasdaq: +0.3% that day · −4.7% a month later
5
Thursday, May 24 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +2.1%.
6
Saturday, October 6

Egypt and Syria attack Israel, starting the Yom Kippur War. Source

Nasdaq: +0.5% next trading day (Oct 8) · −4.8% a month later
7
Wednesday, October 17

Arab oil producers announce production cuts, beginning the 1973 oil embargo. Source

Nasdaq: −0.4% that day · −9.9% a month later
8
Monday, November 26 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −3.3%.

Biggest days of 1973

Best days		Worst days
May 24	+2.1%	Nov 26	−3.3%
Nov 28	+2.0%	Nov 14	−2.6%
Dec 6	+1.7%	Nov 20	−2.4%
Dec 26	+1.7%	May 14	−2.4%
Jun 12	+1.7%	Nov 19	−2.3%

Volatility: 14.2% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	128.40	−4.0%	136.84	128.22
Feb	120.41	−6.2%	127.19	119.80
Mar	117.46	−2.4%	122.28	115.47
Apr	107.85	−8.2%	115.79	107.85
May	102.64	−4.8%	110.89	100.76
Jun	100.98	−1.6%	104.79	99.43
Jul	108.64	+7.6%	109.36	99.39
Aug	104.87	−3.5%	107.30	101.34
Sep	111.20	+6.0%	111.27	105.33
Oct	110.17	−0.9%	114.10	110.17
Nov	93.51	−15.1%	109.62	93.07
Dec	92.19	−1.4%	93.54	88.67

Other Markets in 1973

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Nasdaq	−31.1%	92.19
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1973	−16.6%	850.86
S&P 500 in 1973	−17.4%	97.55
Gold in 1973	+73.0%	$112.25
Silver in 1973	+60.3%	$3.26
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1973	+0.49 pp	6.90%

1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

Nasdaq in 1973: FAQ

How much did the Nasdaq Composite fall in 1973?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Nasdaq Composite in 1973?

Highest: 136.84 on January 11, 1973. Lowest: 88.67 on December 24, 1973. It closed higher on 118 of 252 trading days.

What happened to the Nasdaq Composite on January 11, 1973?

Dow peaks, beginning the 1973-74 bear market. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.6% that day, and was −7.5% a month later.

Did the Nasdaq Composite reach a record high in 1973?

Yes — 6 record closing highs, the last at 136.84 on January 11, 1973.

Data: Daily closes since the index began at 100 on 5 Feb 1971. 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.