Oil Price (WTI) in 2005

The oil price (WTI) rose 40.8% in 2005, from $43.36 at the end of 2004 to $61.06. Its highest close was $69.91 on Aug 30 — a record that stood until April 17, 2006, and its lowest $42.16 on Jan 3. The biggest one-day fall was −11.7% on Mar 23 and the biggest rise +8.8% on Mar 28. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 36.2%.

Change in 2005

+40.8%

$43.36 → $61.06

High

$69.91

Aug 30

Low

$42.16

Jan 3

After inflation

+36.2%

US CPI

Up days

139 of 251

longest run 9 up, 5 down

Record highs

closing records

Oil Price (WTI), daily closes 2005

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 2005

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

1
Wednesday, March 16 From the data

sets the first of 20 record closing highs this year, at $56.50. Back above its pre-bear-market peak of $56.37 (October 26, 2004).
2
Wednesday, March 23 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −11.7%.
3
Monday, March 28 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +8.8%.
4
Wednesday, July 6 From the data

closes above $60 for the first time ($61.24).
5
Monday, August 29

Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in Louisiana, shutting Gulf of Mexico oil platforms and refineries. Source

WTI oil: +2.1% that day · −1.7% a month later
6
Tuesday, August 30 From the data

Last record close of the year: $69.91.

Biggest days of 2005

Best days		Worst days
Mar 28	+8.8%	Mar 23	−11.7%
Sep 19	+6.8%	Apr 27	−5.4%
Feb 22	+5.3%	Apr 29	−5.2%
Oct 11	+5.2%	Aug 17	−4.3%
Jan 6	+4.8%	May 18	−4.0%

Volatility: 35.0% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	$48.25	+11.3%	$49.43	$42.16
Feb	$51.75	+7.3%	$52.20	$45.35
Mar	$55.31	+6.9%	$56.80	$49.43
Apr	$49.20	−11.0%	$57.26	$49.20
May	$52.08	+5.9%	$52.08	$46.99
Jun	$56.63	+8.7%	$59.78	$52.51
Jul	$60.71	+7.2%	$61.24	$56.73
Aug	$68.63	+13.0%	$69.91	$60.76
Sep	$66.21	−3.5%	$69.50	$62.91
Oct	$59.80	−9.7%	$65.36	$59.80
Nov	$57.33	−4.1%	$61.70	$56.20
Dec	$61.06	+6.5%	$61.36	$57.31

Other Markets in 2005

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Oil Price (WTI)	+40.8%	$61.06
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2005	−0.6%	10,717.50
S&P 500 in 2005	+3.0%	1,248.29
Nasdaq Composite in 2005	+1.4%	2,205.32
Russell 2000 in 2005	+3.3%	673.22
Nikkei 225 in 2005	+40.2%	16,111.43
Gold in 2005	+17.8%	$513.00
Silver in 2005	+29.5%	$8.83
Brent crude oil in 2005	+44.5%	$58.34
US 10-year Treasury yield in 2005	+0.15 pp	4.39%

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Oil Price (WTI) in 2005: FAQ

How much did the oil price (WTI) rise in 2005?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the oil price (WTI) in 2005?

Highest: $69.91 on August 30, 2005. Lowest: $42.16 on January 3, 2005. It closed higher on 139 of 251 trading days.

What happened to the oil price (WTI) on August 29, 2005?

Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in Louisiana, shutting Gulf of Mexico oil platforms and refineries. The oil price (WTI) rose 2.1% that day, and was −1.7% a month later.

Did the oil price (WTI) reach a record high in 2005?

Yes — 20 record closing highs, the last at $69.91 on August 30, 2005.

Data: WTI Cushing spot price (EIA via FRED) from 1986, NYMEX front-month futures closes after that. 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.