Russell 2000 in 1991

The Russell 2000 rose 43.7% in 1991, from 132.20 at the end of 1990 to 189.94. Its highest close was 189.94 on Dec 31 — a record that stood until January 3, 1992, and its lowest 125.25 on Jan 15. The biggest one-day fall was −3.2% on Nov 15 and the biggest rise +2.7% on Jan 17. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 39.4%.

Change in 1991

+43.7%

132.20 → 189.94

High

189.94

Dec 31

Low

125.25

Jan 15

After inflation

+39.4%

US CPI

Up days

154 of 253

longest run 13 up, 8 down

Record highs

closing records

Russell 2000, daily closes 1991

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1991

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

1
Thursday, January 17

US-led coalition begins Operation Desert Storm air campaign against Iraq. Source

Russell 2000: +2.7% that day · +22.5% a month later
2
Thursday, February 28

Operation Desert Storm ends after the 100-hour ground campaign. Source

Russell 2000: +1.0% that day · +7.9% a month later
3
Monday, August 19

Hardliners launch a coup attempt against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev; it collapses within days. Source

Russell 2000: −2.8% that day · +1.2% a month later
4
Wednesday, October 16 From the data

Russell 2000 sets the first of 9 record closing highs this year, at 182.84. Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 180.78 (October 9, 1989).
5
Friday, November 15 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −3.2%.
6
Thursday, December 26

The Soviet Union is formally dissolved. Source

Russell 2000: +1.6% that day · +14.4% a month later
7
Tuesday, December 31 From the data

Last record close of the year: 189.94.

Biggest days of 1991

Best days		Worst days
Jan 17	+2.7%	Nov 15	−3.2%
Aug 21	+2.5%	Aug 19	−2.8%
Jan 30	+2.0%	Nov 19	−2.3%
Mar 5	+2.0%	Jun 24	−1.8%
Dec 30	+2.0%	May 15	−1.8%

Volatility: 12.4% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	144.17	+9.1%	144.17	125.25
Feb	160.00	+11.0%	160.00	145.50
Mar	171.01	+6.9%	171.01	161.26
Apr	170.61	−0.2%	178.71	170.31
May	178.34	+4.5%	178.34	169.47
Jun	167.61	−6.0%	178.54	167.61
Jul	172.76	+3.1%	172.87	167.01
Aug	179.11	+3.7%	179.11	169.17
Sep	180.16	+0.6%	180.16	175.71
Oct	185.00	+2.7%	185.00	176.27
Nov	176.37	−4.7%	188.04	175.52
Dec	189.94	+7.7%	189.94	174.70

Other Markets in 1991

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Russell 2000	+43.7%	189.94
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1991	+20.3%	3,168.83
S&P 500 in 1991	+26.3%	417.09
Nasdaq Composite in 1991	+56.9%	586.34
Nikkei 225 in 1991	−3.6%	22,984.00
Gold in 1991	−8.6%	$353.15
Silver in 1991	−7.9%	$3.86
WTI crude oil in 1991	−32.8%	$19.15
Brent crude oil in 1991	−37.4%	$17.75
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1991	−1.37 pp	6.71%

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Russell 2000 in 1991: FAQ

How much did the Russell 2000 rise in 1991?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Russell 2000 in 1991?

Highest: 189.94 on December 31, 1991. Lowest: 125.25 on January 15, 1991. It closed higher on 154 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the Russell 2000 on August 19, 1991?

Hardliners launch a coup attempt against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev; it collapses within days. The Russell 2000 fell 2.8% that day, and was +1.2% a month later.

Did the Russell 2000 reach a record high in 1991?

Yes — 9 record closing highs, the last at 189.94 on December 31, 1991.

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.