S&P 500 in 1955

The S&P 500 rose 26.4% in 1955, from 35.98 at the end of 1954 to 45.48. Its highest close was 46.41 on Nov 14 — a record that stood until March 9, 1956, and its lowest 34.58 on Jan 17. The biggest one-day fall was −6.6% on Sep 26 and the biggest rise +3.6% on Jul 6. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 25.9%.

Change in 1955

+26.4%

35.98 → 45.48

High

46.41

Nov 14

Low

34.58

Jan 17

After inflation

+25.9%

US CPI

Up days

151 of 252

longest run 12 up, 5 down

Record highs

closing records

S&P 500, daily closes 1955

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1955

What happened, and how the S&P 500 moved — on the day (or the next trading day) and about a month later.

1
Monday, January 3 From the data

sets the first of 41 record closing highs this year, at 36.75.
2
Saturday, April 23

Federal Reserve raises the margin requirement on stocks to 70%. Source

S&P 500: +0.3% next trading day (Apr 25) · −1.4% a month later
3
Friday, June 17 From the data

closes above 40 for the first time (40.10).
4
Wednesday, July 6 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +3.6%.
5
Monday, September 26

Dow falls about 6% after President Eisenhower's heart attack. Source

S&P 500: −6.6% that day · −6.0% a month later
6
Monday, November 14 From the data

Last record close of the year: 46.41.

Biggest days of 1955

Best days		Worst days
Jul 6	+3.6%	Sep 26	−6.6%
Jun 6	+3.4%	Oct 10	−2.9%
Nov 14	+2.6%	Oct 3	−2.7%
Sep 27	+2.3%	Jan 5	−2.5%
Mar 15	+2.1%	Mar 14	−2.4%

Volatility: 15.3% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	36.63	+1.8%	36.75	34.58
Feb	36.76	+0.4%	37.15	36.44
Mar	36.58	−0.5%	37.52	34.96
Apr	37.96	+3.8%	38.32	36.83
May	37.91	−0.1%	38.04	36.97
Jun	41.03	+8.2%	41.03	37.96
Jul	43.52	+6.1%	43.76	41.19
Aug	43.18	−0.8%	43.18	41.74
Sep	43.67	+1.1%	45.63	42.61
Oct	42.34	−3.0%	42.99	40.80
Nov	45.51	+7.5%	46.41	42.28
Dec	45.48	−0.1%	45.89	44.95

Other Markets in 1955

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
S&P 500	+26.4%	45.48
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1955	+20.8%	488.40

1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959

S&P 500 in 1955: FAQ

How much did the S&P 500 rise in 1955?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the S&P 500 in 1955?

Highest: 46.41 on November 14, 1955. Lowest: 34.58 on January 17, 1955. It closed higher on 151 of 252 trading days.

What happened to the S&P 500 on September 26, 1955?

Dow falls about 6% after President Eisenhower's heart attack. The S&P 500 fell 6.6% that day, and was −6.0% a month later.

Did the S&P 500 reach a record high in 1955?

Yes — 41 record closing highs, the last at 46.41 on November 14, 1955.

Data: Daily closes since 1950 (price index, excluding dividends). 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.