Nasdaq in 1979

The Nasdaq Composite rose 28.1% in 1979, from 117.98 at the end of 1978 to 151.14. Its highest close was 152.29 on Oct 5 — a record that stood until January 10, 1980, and its lowest 117.84 on Jan 2. The biggest one-day fall was −4.1% on Oct 10 and the biggest rise +1.5% on Nov 26. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 13.1%.

Change in 1979

+28.1%

117.98 → 151.14

High

152.29

Oct 5

Low

117.84

Jan 2

After inflation

+13.1%

US CPI

Up days

167 of 253

longest run 19 up, 6 down

Record highs

closing records

Nasdaq, daily closes 1979

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1979

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

1
Tuesday, January 16

The Shah leaves Iran during the Iranian Revolution. Source

Nasdaq: −0.6% that day · +0.3% a month later
2
Thursday, July 26 From the data

sets the first of 30 record closing highs this year, at 139.52. Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 139.25 (September 13, 1978).
3
Monday, August 6

Paul Volcker takes office as Federal Reserve chairman. Source

Nasdaq: −0.2% that day · +4.1% a month later
4
Friday, October 5 From the data

Last record close of the year: 152.29.
5
Saturday, October 6

Volcker announces the Fed will target bank reserves instead of the federal funds rate. Source

Nasdaq: −0.9% next trading day (Oct 8) · −10.6% a month later
6
Wednesday, October 10 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −4.1%.
7
Sunday, November 4

Students seize the US Embassy in Tehran, starting the Iran hostage crisis. Source

Nasdaq: −0.6% next trading day (Nov 5) · +5.8% a month later
8
Monday, November 26 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +1.5%.
9
Tuesday, December 25

Soviet forces begin the invasion of Afghanistan. Source

Nasdaq: 0.0% next trading day (Dec 26) · +6.2% a month later

Biggest days of 1979

Best days		Worst days
Nov 26	+1.5%	Oct 10	−4.1%
Jan 4	+1.3%	Oct 9	−3.8%
Oct 30	+1.2%	Oct 22	−2.5%
Jan 5	+1.2%	May 7	−2.3%
Mar 8	+1.1%	Oct 19	−2.1%

Volatility: 10.6% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	125.82	+6.6%	127.04	117.84
Feb	122.56	−2.6%	125.83	122.56
Mar	131.76	+7.5%	131.76	123.33
Apr	133.82	+1.6%	134.78	131.36
May	131.42	−1.8%	134.20	128.99
Jun	138.13	+5.1%	138.13	131.76
Jul	141.33	+2.3%	141.33	137.03
Aug	150.44	+6.4%	150.44	141.90
Sep	149.98	−0.3%	150.65	146.03
Oct	135.53	−9.6%	152.29	132.61
Nov	144.26	+6.4%	144.26	134.14
Dec	151.14	+4.8%	151.14	143.86

Other Markets in 1979

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Nasdaq	+28.1%	151.14
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1979	+4.2%	838.74
S&P 500 in 1979	+12.3%	107.94
Gold in 1979	+126.5%	$512.00
Silver in 1979	+434.8%	$32.20
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1979	+1.18 pp	10.33%

1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

Nasdaq in 1979: FAQ

How much did the Nasdaq Composite rise in 1979?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Nasdaq Composite in 1979?

Highest: 152.29 on October 5, 1979. Lowest: 117.84 on January 2, 1979. It closed higher on 167 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the Nasdaq Composite on October 6, 1979?

Volcker announces the Fed will target bank reserves instead of the federal funds rate. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.9% on the next trading day (October 8, 1979), and was −10.6% a month later.

Did the Nasdaq Composite reach a record high in 1979?

Yes — 30 record closing highs, the last at 152.29 on October 5, 1979.

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.