S&P 500 in 1985

The S&P 500 rose 26.3% in 1985, from 167.24 at the end of 1984 to 211.28. Its highest close was 212.02 on Dec 16 — a record that stood until January 7, 1986, and its lowest 163.68 on Jan 4. The biggest one-day fall was −1.5% on Jul 29 and the biggest rise +2.3% on Jan 21. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 21.7%.

Change in 1985

+26.3%

167.24 → 211.28

High

212.02

Dec 16

Low

163.68

Jan 4

After inflation

+21.7%

US CPI

Up days

136 of 252

longest run 7 up, 7 down

Record highs

closing records

S&P 500, daily closes 1985

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1985

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 21 From the data

sets the first of 43 record closing highs this year, at 175.23. Biggest one-day rise of the year: +2.3%.
2
Monday, July 29 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −1.5%.
3
Sunday, September 22

G5 finance ministers sign the Plaza Accord to weaken the US dollar. Source

S&P 500: +1.2% next trading day (Sep 23) · +3.3% a month later
4
Friday, September 27

NYSE closes for Hurricane Gloria. Source

S&P 500: +0.4% next trading day (Sep 30) · +3.6% a month later
5
Thursday, November 21 From the data

closes above 200 for the first time (201.41).
6
Monday, December 16 From the data

Last record close of the year: 212.02.

Biggest days of 1985

Best days		Worst days
Jan 21	+2.3%	Jul 29	−1.5%
Jan 10	+1.9%	Aug 6	−1.4%
Nov 11	+1.8%	Jun 13	−1.2%
Dec 4	+1.7%	Dec 23	−1.1%
Oct 1	+1.6%	Jan 2	−1.1%

Volatility: 10.2% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	179.63	+7.4%	179.63	163.68
Feb	181.18	+0.9%	183.35	178.63
Mar	180.66	−0.3%	183.23	176.53
Apr	179.83	−0.5%	183.43	178.03
May	189.55	+5.4%	189.72	178.37
Jun	191.85	+1.2%	191.85	185.33
Jul	190.92	−0.5%	195.65	189.60
Aug	188.63	−1.2%	192.11	186.10
Sep	182.08	−3.5%	188.25	180.66
Oct	189.82	+4.3%	190.07	181.87
Nov	202.17	+6.5%	202.54	191.25
Dec	211.28	+4.5%	212.02	200.46

Other Markets in 1985

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
S&P 500	+26.3%	211.28
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1985	+27.7%	1,546.67
Nasdaq Composite in 1985	+31.5%	324.90
Nikkei 225 in 1985	+13.3%	13,083.00
Gold in 1985	+6.0%	$326.80
Silver in 1985	−7.8%	$5.80
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1985	−2.55 pp	9.00%

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

S&P 500 in 1985: FAQ

How much did the S&P 500 rise in 1985?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the S&P 500 in 1985?

Highest: 212.02 on December 16, 1985. Lowest: 163.68 on January 4, 1985. It closed higher on 136 of 252 trading days.

What happened to the S&P 500 on September 22, 1985?

G5 finance ministers sign the Plaza Accord to weaken the US dollar. The S&P 500 rose 1.2% on the next trading day (September 23, 1985), and was +3.3% a month later.

Did the S&P 500 reach a record high in 1985?

Yes — 43 record closing highs, the last at 212.02 on December 16, 1985.

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.