Russell 2000 in 2009

The Russell 2000 rose 25.2% in 2009, from 499.45 at the end of 2008 to 625.39. Its highest close was 634.07 on Dec 24, and its lowest 343.26 on Mar 9. The biggest one-day fall was −7.0% on Jan 20 and the biggest rise +8.4% on Mar 23. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 21.9%.

Change in 2009

+25.2%

499.45 → 625.39

High

634.07

Dec 24

Low

343.26

Mar 9

After inflation

+21.9%

US CPI

Up days

128 of 252

longest run 5 up, 6 down

Below record

-26.9%

at the end of 2009

Russell 2000, daily closes 2009

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 2009

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

1
Tuesday, January 20 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −7.0%.
2
Tuesday, February 17

President Obama signs the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Source

Russell 2000: −4.3% that day · −10.0% a month later
3
Friday, February 20 From the data

Enters a bear market: 20% below its peak of 514.71 (January 6, 2009).
4
Monday, March 9 From the data

Bear market low: 343.26, 33.3% below the peak.
5
Monday, March 23 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +8.4%.
6
Thursday, May 7

Fed releases results of stress tests on the 19 largest US banks. Source

Russell 2000: −2.4% that day · +5.0% a month later
7
Monday, June 1

General Motors files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Source

Russell 2000: +3.9% that day · +1.8% a month later
8
Monday, June 1 From the data

Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 514.71 (January 6, 2009).
9
Friday, July 24 From the data

Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 545.97 (November 4, 2008).

Biggest days of 2009

Best days		Worst days
Mar 23	+8.4%	Jan 20	−7.0%
Mar 10	+7.1%	Mar 5	−5.9%
Mar 12	+6.5%	Apr 20	−5.6%
Apr 9	+5.9%	Mar 2	−5.5%
Jan 21	+5.3%	Feb 10	−4.7%

Volatility: 36.3% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	443.53	−11.2%	514.71	433.65
Feb	389.02	−12.3%	470.70	389.02
Mar	422.75	+8.7%	445.30	343.26
Apr	487.56	+15.3%	491.47	429.16
May	501.58	+2.9%	511.82	471.82
Jun	508.28	+1.3%	531.68	489.77
Jul	556.71	+9.5%	557.80	479.27
Aug	572.07	+2.8%	584.02	548.18
Sep	604.28	+5.6%	620.69	555.83
Oct	562.77	−6.9%	623.94	562.77
Nov	579.73	+3.0%	602.87	562.40
Dec	625.39	+7.9%	634.07	588.78

Other Markets in 2009

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Russell 2000	+25.2%	625.39
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2009	+18.8%	10,428.05
S&P 500 in 2009	+23.5%	1,115.10
Nasdaq Composite in 2009	+43.9%	2,269.15
Nikkei 225 in 2009	+19.0%	10,546.44
Gold in 2009	+25.0%	$1,087.50
Silver in 2009	+57.5%	$16.99
WTI crude oil in 2009	+78.0%	$79.39
Brent crude oil in 2009	+117.5%	$77.91
US 10-year Treasury yield in 2009	+1.60 pp	3.85%

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Russell 2000 in 2009: FAQ

How much did the Russell 2000 rise in 2009?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Russell 2000 in 2009?

Highest: 634.07 on December 24, 2009. Lowest: 343.26 on March 9, 2009. It closed higher on 128 of 252 trading days.

What happened to the Russell 2000 on February 17, 2009?

President Obama signs the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Russell 2000 fell 4.3% that day, and was −10.0% 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.