Russell 2000 in 1990

The Russell 2000 fell 21.5% in 1990, from 168.31 at the end of 1989 to 132.20. Its highest close was 170.90 on Jun 15, and its lowest 118.82 on Oct 30. The biggest one-day fall was −4.4% on Aug 23 and the biggest rise +3.3% on Aug 27. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 26.0%.

Change in 1990

−21.5%

168.31 → 132.20

High

170.90

Jun 15

Low

118.82

Oct 30

After inflation

−26.0%

US CPI

Up days

132 of 253

longest run 10 up, 8 down

Below record

-26.9%

at the end of 1990

Russell 2000, daily closes 1990

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1990

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

1
Tuesday, February 13

Drexel Burnham Lambert, the leading junk-bond underwriter, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Source

Russell 2000: −0.2% that day · +2.7% a month later
2
Thursday, August 2

Iraq invades Kuwait, beginning the Gulf crisis. Source

Russell 2000: −1.4% that day · −13.3% a month later
3
Monday, August 20 From the data

Enters a bear market: 20% below its peak of 180.78 (October 9, 1989).
4
Thursday, August 23 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −4.4%.
5
Monday, August 27 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +3.3%.
6
Tuesday, October 30 From the data

Bear market low: 118.82, 34.3% below the peak.
7
Thursday, November 29

UN Security Council Resolution 678 sets a 15 January 1991 deadline for Iraq to leave Kuwait. Source

Russell 2000: +0.1% that day · +3.5% a month later

Biggest days of 1990

Best days		Worst days
Aug 27	+3.3%	Aug 23	−4.4%
Nov 12	+1.6%	Aug 6	−3.5%
Dec 5	+1.5%	Aug 3	−2.7%
Oct 1	+1.4%	Sep 24	−2.5%
Dec 31	+1.3%	Jul 23	−2.4%

Volatility: 13.2% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	153.27	−8.9%	170.79	152.62
Feb	157.72	+2.9%	159.30	154.36
Mar	163.63	+3.7%	164.38	158.04
Apr	158.09	−3.4%	163.40	157.82
May	168.91	+6.8%	168.91	158.49
Jun	169.12	+0.1%	170.90	166.89
Jul	161.51	−4.5%	170.04	161.51
Aug	139.51	−13.6%	160.76	132.92
Sep	126.70	−9.2%	140.33	126.18
Oct	118.83	−6.2%	129.06	118.82
Nov	127.51	+7.3%	127.51	118.91
Dec	132.20	+3.7%	132.20	128.15

Other Markets in 1990

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Russell 2000	−21.5%	132.20
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1990	−4.3%	2,633.66
S&P 500 in 1990	−6.6%	330.22
Nasdaq Composite in 1990	−17.8%	373.80
Nikkei 225 in 1990	−38.7%	23,849.00
Gold in 1990	−3.1%	$386.20
Silver in 1990	−19.6%	$4.19
WTI crude oil in 1990	+30.4%	$28.48
Brent crude oil in 1990	+34.7%	$28.35
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1990	+0.15 pp	8.08%

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Russell 2000 in 1990: FAQ

How much did the Russell 2000 fall in 1990?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Russell 2000 in 1990?

Highest: 170.90 on June 15, 1990. Lowest: 118.82 on October 30, 1990. It closed higher on 132 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the Russell 2000 on August 2, 1990?

Iraq invades Kuwait, beginning the Gulf crisis. The Russell 2000 fell 1.4% that day, and was −13.3% a month later.

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.