Russell 2000 in 2011

The Russell 2000 fell 5.5% in 2011, from 783.65 at the end of 2010 to 740.92. Its highest close was 865.29 on Apr 29 — a record that stood until January 2, 2013, and its lowest 609.49 on Oct 3. The biggest one-day fall was −8.9% on Aug 8 and the biggest rise +6.9% on Aug 9. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 8.2%.

Change in 2011

−5.5%

783.65 → 740.92

High

865.29

Apr 29

Low

609.49

Oct 3

After inflation

−8.2%

US CPI

Up days

136 of 252

longest run 8 up, 7 down

Record highs

closing records

Russell 2000, daily closes 2011

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 2011

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

1
Friday, March 11

Tohoku earthquake and tsunami strike northeastern Japan. Source

Russell 2000: +0.4% that day · +5.2% a month later
2
Wednesday, April 27 From the data

sets the first of 3 record closing highs this year, at 858.31. Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 855.77 (July 13, 2007).
3
Friday, April 29 From the data

Last record close of the year: 865.29.
4
Friday, August 5

Standard & Poor's downgrades the US long-term credit rating from AAA to AA+. Source

Russell 2000: −1.7% that day · −6.0% a month later
5
Monday, August 8

On the first trading day after the S&P downgrade, the major US stock indexes fall 5% to 7%. Source

Russell 2000: −8.9% that day · −4.7% a month later
6
Monday, August 8 From the data

Enters a bear market: 20% below its peak of 865.29 (April 29, 2011).
7
Tuesday, August 9 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +6.9%.
8
Monday, October 3 From the data

Bear market low: 609.49, 29.6% below the peak.
9
Monday, October 31

Futures broker MF Global files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Source

Russell 2000: −2.6% that day · −8.5% a month later

Biggest days of 2011

Best days		Worst days
Aug 9	+6.9%	Aug 8	−8.9%
Oct 4	+6.4%	Aug 4	−5.9%
Nov 30	+5.9%	Aug 18	−5.9%
Aug 11	+5.4%	Oct 3	−5.4%
Oct 27	+5.3%	Aug 10	−5.2%

Volatility: 33.0% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	781.25	−0.3%	807.57	773.18
Feb	823.45	+5.4%	834.82	796.16
Mar	843.55	+2.4%	843.55	781.90
Apr	865.29	+2.6%	865.29	821.51
May	848.30	−2.0%	855.91	810.33
Jun	827.43	−2.5%	827.43	777.20
Jul	797.03	−3.7%	858.11	797.03
Aug	726.81	−8.8%	792.85	650.96
Sep	644.16	−11.4%	714.31	643.42
Oct	741.06	+15.0%	765.43	609.49
Nov	737.42	−0.5%	755.27	666.16
Dec	740.92	+0.5%	751.31	708.46

Other Markets in 2011

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
Russell 2000	−5.5%	740.92
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2011	+5.5%	12,217.56
S&P 500 in 2011	0.0%	1,257.60
Nasdaq Composite in 2011	−1.8%	2,605.15
Nikkei 225 in 2011	−17.3%	8,455.35
Gold in 2011	+8.9%	$1,531.00
Silver in 2011	−8.0%	$28.18
WTI crude oil in 2011	+8.2%	$98.83
Brent crude oil in 2011	+15.9%	$108.09
US 10-year Treasury yield in 2011	−1.41 pp	1.89%

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Russell 2000 in 2011: FAQ

How much did the Russell 2000 fall in 2011?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the Russell 2000 in 2011?

Highest: 865.29 on April 29, 2011. Lowest: 609.49 on October 3, 2011. It closed higher on 136 of 252 trading days.

What happened to the Russell 2000 on August 8, 2011?

On the first trading day after the S&P downgrade, the major US stock indexes fall 5% to 7%. The Russell 2000 fell 8.9% that day, and was −4.7% a month later.

Did the Russell 2000 reach a record high in 2011?

Yes — 3 record closing highs, the last at 865.29 on April 29, 2011.

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.