S&P 500 in 1986

The S&P 500 rose 14.6% in 1986, from 211.28 at the end of 1985 to 242.17. Its highest close was 254.00 on Dec 2 — a record that stood until January 7, 1987, and its lowest 203.49 on Jan 22. The biggest one-day fall was −4.8% on Sep 11 and the biggest rise +2.3% on Mar 11. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 13.4%.

Change in 1986

+14.6%

211.28 → 242.17

High

254.00

Dec 2

Low

203.49

Jan 22

After inflation

+13.4%

US CPI

Up days

141 of 253

longest run 8 up, 6 down

Record highs

closing records

S&P 500, daily closes 1986

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1986

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

1
Tuesday, January 7 From the data

S&P 500 sets the first of 31 record closing highs this year, at 213.80.
2
Tuesday, March 11 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +2.3%.
3
Thursday, March 13

Microsoft goes public on Nasdaq. Source

S&P 500: +0.3% that day · +1.5% a month later
4
Thursday, September 11 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −4.8%.
5
Wednesday, October 22

Reagan signs the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Source

S&P 500: +0.2% that day · +0.8% a month later
6
Monday, October 27

London's 'Big Bang' deregulation of the stock exchange takes effect. Source

S&P 500: +0.2% that day · +3.9% a month later
7
Tuesday, December 2 From the data

Last record close of the year: 254.00.

Biggest days of 1986

Best days		Worst days
Mar 11	+2.3%	Sep 11	−4.8%
Apr 8	+2.1%	Jul 7	−3.1%
Aug 26	+2.0%	Jan 8	−2.7%
Dec 2	+2.0%	Nov 18	−2.6%
May 22	+2.0%	Jun 9	−2.3%

Volatility: 14.7% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	211.78	+0.2%	213.80	203.49
Feb	226.92	+7.1%	226.92	212.79
Mar	238.90	+5.3%	238.97	224.34
Apr	235.52	−1.4%	244.74	228.63
May	247.35	+5.0%	247.98	232.76
Jun	250.84	+1.4%	250.84	239.58
Jul	236.12	−5.9%	252.70	233.66
Aug	252.93	+7.1%	253.30	234.91
Sep	231.32	−8.5%	253.83	229.91
Oct	243.98	+5.5%	243.98	233.60
Nov	249.22	+2.1%	249.22	236.78
Dec	242.17	−2.8%	254.00	242.17

Other Markets in 1986

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
S&P 500	+14.6%	242.17
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1986	+22.6%	1,895.95
Nasdaq Composite in 1986	+7.4%	348.80
Nikkei 225 in 1986	+43.9%	18,821.00
Gold in 1986	+19.0%	$388.75
Silver in 1986	−8.9%	$5.28
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1986	−1.77 pp	7.23%

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

S&P 500 in 1986: FAQ

How much did the S&P 500 rise in 1986?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the S&P 500 in 1986?

Highest: 254.00 on December 2, 1986. Lowest: 203.49 on January 22, 1986. It closed higher on 141 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the S&P 500 on March 13, 1986?

Microsoft goes public on Nasdaq. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% that day, and was +1.5% a month later.

Did the S&P 500 reach a record high in 1986?

Yes — 31 record closing highs, the last at 254.00 on December 2, 1986.

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.