Nasdaq in 1989

The Nasdaq Composite rose 19.2% in 1989, from 381.40 at the end of 1988 to 454.80. Its highest close was 485.70 on Oct 9 — a record that stood until April 2, 1991, and its lowest 378.60 on Jan 3. The biggest one-day fall was −3.1% on Oct 13 and the biggest rise +1.6% on Oct 19. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 13.9%.

Change in 1989

+19.2%

381.40 → 454.80

High

485.70

Oct 9

Low

378.60

Jan 3

After inflation

+13.9%

US CPI

Up days

154 of 252

longest run 10 up, 5 down

Record highs

closing records

Nasdaq, daily closes 1989

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1989

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

1
Thursday, August 3 From the data

sets the first of 20 record closing highs this year, at 456.90. Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 455.80 (August 27, 1987).
2
Wednesday, August 9

Bush signs FIRREA, creating the Resolution Trust Corporation to dispose of failed thrifts. Source

Nasdaq: −0.2% that day · +1.4% a month later
3
Monday, October 9 From the data

Last record close of the year: 485.70.
4
Friday, October 13

Friday the 13th mini-crash: Dow falls 190.58 points (6.91%). Source

Nasdaq: −3.1% that day · −5.4% a month later
5
Thursday, October 19 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +1.6%.
6
Thursday, November 9

East Germany opens the Berlin Wall. Source

Nasdaq: 0.0% that day · +0.5% a month later

Biggest days of 1989

Best days		Worst days
Oct 19	+1.6%	Oct 13	−3.1%
Jun 7	+1.2%	Mar 17	−1.8%
Jan 4	+1.1%	Dec 18	−1.8%
Dec 29	+1.1%	Jun 29	−1.6%
Nov 8	+1.0%	Oct 16	−1.3%

Volatility: 8.7% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	401.30	+5.2%	401.30	378.60
Feb	399.70	−0.4%	409.20	398.90
Mar	406.70	+1.8%	409.50	398.50
Apr	427.60	+5.1%	427.60	407.20
May	446.20	+4.3%	446.20	427.50
Jun	435.30	−2.4%	454.00	435.30
Jul	453.80	+4.2%	453.80	436.00
Aug	469.30	+3.4%	469.30	453.30
Sep	472.90	+0.8%	472.90	466.70
Oct	455.60	−3.7%	485.70	451.40
Nov	456.10	+0.1%	456.70	448.00
Dec	454.80	−0.3%	458.60	434.40

Other Markets in 1989

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Nasdaq	+19.2%	454.80
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1989	+27.0%	2,753.20
S&P 500 in 1989	+27.3%	353.40
Russell 2000 in 1989	+14.2%	168.31
Nikkei 225 in 1989	+29.0%	38,916.00
Gold in 1989	−2.8%	$398.60
Silver in 1989	−13.8%	$5.22
WTI crude oil in 1989	+27.6%	$21.84
Brent crude oil in 1989	+29.7%	$21.05
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1989	−1.21 pp	7.93%

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

Nasdaq in 1989: FAQ

How much did the Nasdaq Composite rise in 1989?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Nasdaq Composite in 1989?

Highest: 485.70 on October 9, 1989. Lowest: 378.60 on January 3, 1989. It closed higher on 154 of 252 trading days.

What happened to the Nasdaq Composite on October 13, 1989?

Friday the 13th mini-crash: Dow falls 190.58 points (6.91%). The Nasdaq Composite fell 3.1% that day, and was −5.4% a month later.

Did the Nasdaq Composite reach a record high in 1989?

Yes — 20 record closing highs, the last at 485.70 on October 9, 1989.

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.