Nasdaq in 1994

The Nasdaq Composite fell 3.2% in 1994, from 776.80 at the end of 1993 to 751.96. Its highest close was 803.93 on Mar 18 — a record that stood until March 14, 1995, and its lowest 693.79 on Jun 24. The biggest one-day fall was −2.6% on Feb 4 and the biggest rise +3.2% on Apr 5. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 5.7%.

Change in 1994

−3.2%

776.80 → 751.96

High

803.93

Mar 18

Low

693.79

Jun 24

After inflation

−5.7%

US CPI

Up days

132 of 252

longest run 6 up, 8 down

Record highs

closing records

Nasdaq, daily closes 1994

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1994

What happened, and how the Nasdaq 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

Nasdaq: −0.8% next trading day (Jan 3) · +3.0% a month later
2
Thursday, January 13 From the data

sets the first of 9 record closing highs this year, at 787.81.
3
Monday, January 31 From the data

closes above 800 for the first time (800.47).
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

Nasdaq: −2.6% that day · −0.3% a month later
5
Friday, March 18 From the data

Last record close of the year: 803.93.
6
Tuesday, April 5 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +3.2%.
7
Tuesday, December 20

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

Nasdaq: +0.1% that day · +5.6% a month later

Biggest days of 1994

Best days		Worst days
Apr 5	+3.2%	Feb 4	−2.6%
Apr 21	+1.9%	Mar 29	−2.2%
May 18	+1.5%	Nov 22	−2.2%
Jul 13	+1.4%	Apr 4	−2.2%
Jul 29	+1.4%	Dec 8	−2.1%

Volatility: 11.6% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	800.47	+3.0%	800.47	770.76
Feb	792.50	−1.0%	799.57	777.28
Mar	743.46	−6.2%	803.93	743.46
Apr	733.84	−1.3%	755.17	705.52
May	735.19	+0.2%	740.68	711.52
Jun	705.96	−4.0%	743.43	693.79
Jul	722.16	+2.3%	722.62	701.00
Aug	765.62	+6.0%	766.46	718.67
Sep	764.29	−0.2%	778.66	755.37
Oct	777.49	+1.7%	777.49	744.19
Nov	750.32	−3.5%	772.19	736.70
Dec	751.96	+0.2%	751.96	719.05

Other Markets in 1994

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Nasdaq	−3.2%	751.96
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1994	+2.1%	3,834.44
S&P 500 in 1994	−1.5%	459.27
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

Nasdaq in 1994: FAQ

How much did the Nasdaq Composite fall in 1994?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Nasdaq Composite in 1994?

Highest: 803.93 on March 18, 1994. Lowest: 693.79 on June 24, 1994. It closed higher on 132 of 252 trading days.

What happened to the Nasdaq Composite 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 Nasdaq Composite fell 2.6% that day, and was −0.3% a month later.

Did the Nasdaq Composite reach a record high in 1994?

Yes — 9 record closing highs, the last at 803.93 on March 18, 1994.

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.