S&P 500 in 1980

The S&P 500 rose 25.8% in 1980, from 107.94 at the end of 1979 to 135.76. Its highest close was 140.52 on Nov 28 — a record that stood until November 3, 1982, and its lowest 98.22 on Mar 27. The biggest one-day fall was −3.0% on Mar 17 and the biggest rise +3.6% on Apr 22. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 11.8%.

Change in 1980

+25.8%

107.94 → 135.76

High

140.52

Nov 28

Low

98.22

Mar 27

After inflation

+11.8%

US CPI

Up days

141 of 253

longest run 8 up, 9 down

Record highs

closing records

S&P 500, daily closes 1980

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1980

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

1
Monday, March 17 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −3.0%.
2
Thursday, March 27

Silver Thursday: silver falls to $10.80 as the Hunt brothers fail to meet margin calls. Source

S&P 500: −0.5% that day · +6.6% a month later
3
Tuesday, April 22 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +3.6%.
4
Thursday, July 17 From the data

sets the first of 24 record closing highs this year, at 121.44. Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 120.24 (January 11, 1973).
5
Monday, September 22

Iraq invades Iran, starting the Iran-Iraq War. Source

S&P 500: +0.9% that day · +2.6% a month later
6
Friday, November 28 From the data

Last record close of the year: 140.52.

Biggest days of 1980

Best days		Worst days
Apr 22	+3.6%	Mar 17	−3.0%
Nov 12	+2.5%	Mar 24	−3.0%
Mar 28	+2.5%	Dec 8	−2.6%
Jan 8	+2.0%	Dec 1	−2.4%
Sep 3	+1.9%	Mar 6	−2.2%

Volatility: 16.5% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	114.16	+5.8%	115.20	105.22
Feb	113.66	−0.4%	118.44	112.35
Mar	102.09	−10.2%	112.78	98.22
Apr	106.29	+4.1%	106.29	99.80
May	111.24	+4.7%	112.06	104.72
Jun	114.24	+2.7%	116.72	110.51
Jul	121.67	+6.5%	122.51	114.93
Aug	122.38	+0.6%	126.02	120.74
Sep	125.46	+2.5%	130.40	123.31
Oct	127.47	+1.6%	133.70	126.29
Nov	140.52	+10.2%	140.52	128.91
Dec	135.76	−3.4%	137.21	127.36

Other Markets in 1980

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
S&P 500	+25.8%	135.76
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1980	+14.9%	963.99
Nasdaq Composite in 1980	+33.9%	202.34
Gold in 1980	+15.2%	$589.75
Silver in 1980	−51.9%	$15.50
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1980	+2.10 pp	12.43%

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

S&P 500 in 1980: FAQ

How much did the S&P 500 rise in 1980?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the S&P 500 in 1980?

Highest: 140.52 on November 28, 1980. Lowest: 98.22 on March 27, 1980. It closed higher on 141 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the S&P 500 on September 22, 1980?

Iraq invades Iran, starting the Iran-Iraq War. The S&P 500 rose 0.9% that day, and was +2.6% a month later.

Did the S&P 500 reach a record high in 1980?

Yes — 24 record closing highs, the last at 140.52 on November 28, 1980.

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.