Russell 2000 in 1989

The Russell 2000 rose 14.2% in 1989, from 147.37 at the end of 1988 to 168.31. Its highest close was 180.78 on Oct 9 — a record that stood until October 16, 1991, and its lowest 146.79 on Jan 3. The biggest one-day fall was −3.7% on Oct 13 and the biggest rise +1.4% on Oct 19. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 9.1%.

Change in 1989

+14.2%

147.37 → 168.31

High

180.78

Oct 9

Low

146.79

Jan 3

After inflation

+9.1%

US CPI

Up days

154 of 252

longest run 10 up, 6 down

Record highs

closing records

Russell 2000, daily closes 1989

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1989

What happened, and how the Russell 2000 moved — on the day (or the next trading day) and about a month later.

1
Friday, June 2 From the data

Russell 2000 sets the first of 21 record closing highs this year, at 173.41. Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 172.54 (October 5, 1987).
2
Wednesday, August 9

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

Russell 2000: 0.0% that day · +1.0% a month later
3
Monday, October 9 From the data

Last record close of the year: 180.78.
4
Friday, October 13

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

Russell 2000: −3.7% that day · −6.6% a month later
5
Thursday, October 19 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +1.4%.
6
Thursday, November 9

East Germany opens the Berlin Wall. Source

Russell 2000: −0.1% that day · +0.9% a month later

Biggest days of 1989

Best days		Worst days
Oct 19	+1.4%	Oct 13	−3.7%
Dec 29	+1.2%	Jun 29	−1.6%
Jan 4	+1.1%	Mar 17	−1.6%
Jul 7	+0.9%	Dec 18	−1.5%
Nov 8	+0.9%	Oct 16	−1.5%

Volatility: 8.1% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	153.85	+4.4%	153.85	146.79
Feb	154.56	+0.5%	157.07	153.96
Mar	157.90	+2.2%	159.26	154.67
Apr	164.68	+4.3%	164.68	157.97
May	171.53	+4.2%	171.53	164.30
Jun	167.42	−2.4%	173.41	167.42
Jul	174.50	+4.2%	174.50	167.60
Aug	178.20	+2.1%	178.20	174.22
Sep	178.21	0.0%	179.16	175.99
Oct	167.47	−6.0%	180.78	166.32
Nov	168.17	+0.4%	168.48	165.77
Dec	168.31	+0.1%	168.87	162.82

Other Markets in 1989

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Russell 2000	+14.2%	168.31
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1989	+27.0%	2,753.20
S&P 500 in 1989	+27.3%	353.40
Nasdaq Composite in 1989	+19.2%	454.80
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%

1987 1988 1989

Russell 2000 in 1989: FAQ

How much did the Russell 2000 rise in 1989?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Russell 2000 in 1989?

Highest: 180.78 on October 9, 1989. Lowest: 146.79 on January 3, 1989. It closed higher on 154 of 252 trading days.

What happened to the Russell 2000 on October 13, 1989?

Friday the 13th mini-crash: Dow falls 190.58 points (6.91%). The Russell 2000 fell 3.7% that day, and was −6.6% a month later.

Did the Russell 2000 reach a record high in 1989?

Yes — 21 record closing highs, the last at 180.78 on October 9, 1989.

Data: Daily closes since Sep 1987. 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.