S&P 500 in 1990

The S&P 500 fell 6.6% in 1990, from 353.40 at the end of 1989 to 330.22. Its highest close was 368.95 on Jul 16 — a record that stood until February 13, 1991, and its lowest 295.46 on Oct 11. The biggest one-day fall was −3.0% on Aug 6 and the biggest rise +3.2% on Aug 27. Adjusted for inflation, it lost 11.9%.

Change in 1990

−6.6%

353.40 → 330.22

High

368.95

Jul 16

Low

295.46

Oct 11

After inflation

−11.9%

US CPI

Up days

135 of 253

longest run 11 up, 6 down

Record highs

closing records

S&P 500, daily closes 1990

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1990

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

1
Tuesday, February 13

Drexel Burnham Lambert, the leading junk-bond underwriter, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Source

S&P 500: +0.3% that day · +2.1% a month later
2
Tuesday, May 29 From the data

sets the first of 6 record closing highs this year, at 360.65.
3
Monday, July 16 From the data

Last record close of the year: 368.95.
4
Thursday, August 2

Iraq invades Kuwait, beginning the Gulf crisis. Source

S&P 500: −1.1% that day · −10.4% a month later
5
Monday, August 6 From the data

Biggest one-day fall of the year: −3.0%.
6
Monday, August 27 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +3.2%.
7
Thursday, November 29

UN Security Council Resolution 678 sets a 15 January 1991 deadline for Iraq to leave Kuwait. Source

S&P 500: −0.5% that day · +3.4% a month later

Biggest days of 1990

Best days		Worst days
Aug 27	+3.2%	Aug 6	−3.0%
Oct 1	+2.9%	Aug 23	−3.0%
May 11	+2.4%	Oct 9	−2.7%
Oct 18	+2.3%	Jan 22	−2.6%
Oct 19	+2.2%	Jan 12	−2.5%

Volatility: 15.9% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	329.08	−6.9%	359.69	322.98
Feb	331.89	+0.9%	334.89	324.15
Mar	339.94	+2.4%	343.53	332.74
Apr	330.80	−2.7%	344.74	329.11
May	361.23	+9.2%	361.23	332.25
Jun	358.02	−0.9%	367.40	352.06
Jul	356.15	−0.5%	368.95	353.44
Aug	322.56	−9.4%	355.52	307.06
Sep	306.05	−5.1%	324.39	300.97
Oct	304.00	−0.7%	315.21	295.46
Nov	322.22	+6.0%	322.22	306.01
Dec	330.22	+2.5%	331.75	324.10

Other Markets in 1990

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
S&P 500	−6.6%	330.22
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1990	−4.3%	2,633.66
Nasdaq Composite in 1990	−17.8%	373.80
Russell 2000 in 1990	−21.5%	132.20
Nikkei 225 in 1990	−38.7%	23,849.00
Gold in 1990	−3.1%	$386.20
Silver in 1990	−19.6%	$4.19
WTI crude oil in 1990	+30.4%	$28.48
Brent crude oil in 1990	+34.7%	$28.35
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1990	+0.15 pp	8.08%

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

S&P 500 in 1990: FAQ

How much did the S&P 500 fall in 1990?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the S&P 500 in 1990?

Highest: 368.95 on July 16, 1990. Lowest: 295.46 on October 11, 1990. It closed higher on 135 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the S&P 500 on August 2, 1990?

Iraq invades Kuwait, beginning the Gulf crisis. The S&P 500 fell 1.1% that day, and was −10.4% a month later.

Did the S&P 500 reach a record high in 1990?

Yes — 6 record closing highs, the last at 368.95 on July 16, 1990.

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.