S&P 500 in 1997

The S&P 500 rose 31.0% in 1997, from 740.74 at the end of 1996 to 970.43. Its highest close was 983.79 on Dec 5 — a record that stood until January 29, 1998, and its lowest 737.01 on Jan 2. The biggest one-day fall was −6.9% on Oct 27 and the biggest rise +5.1% on Oct 28. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 28.8%.

Change in 1997

+31.0%

740.74 → 970.43

High

983.79

Dec 5

Low

737.01

Jan 2

After inflation

+28.8%

US CPI

Up days

140 of 253

longest run 9 up, 5 down

Record highs

closing records

S&P 500, daily closes 1997

Numbers mark the events below

Key Events in 1997

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

1
Friday, January 10 From the data

S&P 500 sets the first of 45 record closing highs this year, at 759.50.
2
Wednesday, February 12 From the data

S&P 500 closes above 800 for the first time (802.77).
3
Wednesday, July 2

Thailand floats the baht, starting the Asian financial crisis. Source

S&P 500: +1.5% that day · +7.1% a month later
4
Wednesday, July 2 From the data

S&P 500 closes above 900 for the first time (904.03).
5
Thursday, October 23

Hong Kong Monetary Authority raises overnight rates to defend the dollar peg as the Hang Seng slumps. Source

S&P 500: −1.8% that day · −1.0% a month later
6
Monday, October 27

Dow falls 554.26 points (7.18%); NYSE circuit breakers halt and then end trading early. Source

S&P 500: −6.9% that day · +0.5% a month later
7
Tuesday, October 28 From the data

Biggest one-day rise of the year: +5.1%.
8
Friday, December 5 From the data

Last record close of the year: 983.79.

Biggest days of 1997

Best days		Worst days
Oct 28	+5.1%	Oct 27	−6.9%
Sep 2	+3.1%	Apr 11	−2.7%
Sep 16	+2.8%	Aug 15	−2.6%
Apr 29	+2.7%	Jun 23	−2.2%
Nov 3	+2.7%	Mar 31	−2.2%

Volatility: 18.1% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).

Month by month

Month	Close	Change	High	Low
Jan	786.16	+6.1%	786.23	737.01
Feb	790.82	+0.6%	816.29	778.28
Mar	757.12	−4.3%	813.65	757.12
Apr	801.34	+5.8%	801.34	737.65
May	848.28	+5.9%	849.71	798.53
Jun	885.14	+4.3%	898.70	840.11
Jul	954.31	+7.8%	954.31	891.03
Aug	899.47	−5.7%	960.32	899.47
Sep	947.28	+5.3%	955.43	912.59
Oct	914.62	−3.4%	983.12	876.99
Nov	955.40	+4.5%	963.09	905.96
Dec	970.43	+1.6%	983.79	932.70

Other Markets in 1997

Change over the calendar year.

Market	Change	Year-end
S&P 500	+31.0%	970.43
Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1997	+22.6%	7,908.24
Nasdaq Composite in 1997	+21.6%	1,570.35
Russell 2000 in 1997	+20.5%	437.02
Nikkei 225 in 1997	−21.2%	15,259.00
Gold in 1997	−21.4%	$290.20
Silver in 1997	+25.4%	$5.98
WTI crude oil in 1997	−31.9%	$17.65
Brent crude oil in 1997	−33.6%	$15.86
US 10-year Treasury yield in 1997	−0.68 pp	5.75%

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

S&P 500 in 1997: FAQ

How much did the S&P 500 rise in 1997?

What were the highest and lowest closes of the S&P 500 in 1997?

Highest: 983.79 on December 5, 1997. Lowest: 737.01 on January 2, 1997. It closed higher on 140 of 253 trading days.

What happened to the S&P 500 on October 27, 1997?

Dow falls 554.26 points (7.18%); NYSE circuit breakers halt and then end trading early. The S&P 500 fell 6.9% that day, and was +0.5% a month later.

Did the S&P 500 reach a record high in 1997?

Yes — 45 record closing highs, the last at 983.79 on December 5, 1997.

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.