Dow Jones in 1989
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 27.0% in 1989, from 2,168.57 at the end of 1988 to 2,753.20. Its highest close was 2,791.41 on Oct 9 — a record that stood until January 2, 1990, and its lowest 2,144.64 on Jan 3. The biggest one-day fall was −6.9% on Oct 13 and the biggest rise +3.4% on Oct 16. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 21.3%.
Dow Jones, daily closes 1989
Numbers mark the events belowKey Events in 1989
What happened, and how the Dow Jones moved — on the day (or the next trading day) and about a month later.
- 1
Wednesday, August 9Bush signs FIRREA, creating the Resolution Trust Corporation to dispose of failed thrifts. SourceDow Jones: −0.5% that day · +0.3% a month later
- 2
Thursday, August 24 From the dataDow Jones sets the first of 8 record closing highs this year, at 2,734.64. Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 2,722.42 (August 25, 1987).
- 3
Monday, October 9 From the dataLast record close of the year: 2,791.41.
- 4
Friday, October 13Friday the 13th mini-crash: Dow falls 190.58 points (6.91%). SourceDow Jones: −6.9% that day · −4.9% a month later
- 5
Monday, October 16 From the dataBiggest one-day rise of the year: +3.4%.
- 6
Thursday, November 9East Germany opens the Berlin Wall. SourceDow Jones: −0.7% that day · +4.1% a month later
Biggest days of 1989
| Best days | Worst days | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 16 | +3.4% | Oct 13 | −6.9% |
| May 12 | +2.4% | Mar 17 | −2.1% |
| Aug 24 | +2.1% | Feb 24 | −1.9% |
| Jun 23 | +2.0% | Jun 29 | −1.9% |
| Apr 14 | +1.8% | Feb 22 | −1.8% |
Volatility: 14.2% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).
Month by month
| Month | Close | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2,342.32 | +8.0% |
| Feb | 2,258.39 | −3.6% |
| Mar | 2,293.62 | +1.6% |
| Apr | 2,418.80 | +5.5% |
| May | 2,480.15 | +2.5% |
| Jun | 2,440.06 | −1.6% |
| Jul | 2,660.66 | +9.0% |
| Aug | 2,737.27 | +2.9% |
| Sep | 2,692.82 | −1.6% |
| Oct | 2,645.08 | −1.8% |
| Nov | 2,706.27 | +2.3% |
| Dec | 2,753.20 | +1.7% |
Other Markets in 1989
Change over the calendar year.
| Market | Change | Year-end |
|---|---|---|
| Dow Jones | +27.0% | 2,753.20 |
| S&P 500 in 1989 | +27.3% | 353.40 |
| Nasdaq Composite in 1989 | +19.2% | 454.80 |
| Russell 2000 in 1989 | +14.2% | 168.31 |
| Nikkei 225 in 1989 | +29.0% | 38,916.00 |
| Gold in 1989 | −2.8% | $398.60 |
| Silver in 1989 | −13.8% | $5.22 |
| WTI crude oil in 1989 | +27.6% | $21.84 |
| Brent crude oil in 1989 | +29.7% | $21.05 |
| US 10-year Treasury yield in 1989 | −1.21 pp | 7.93% |
Dow Jones in 1989: FAQ
How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1989?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 27.0% in 1989, from 2,168.57 at the end of 1988 to 2,753.20. Its highest close was 2,791.41 on Oct 9 — a record that stood until January 2, 1990, and its lowest 2,144.64 on Jan 3. The biggest one-day fall was −6.9% on Oct 13 and the biggest rise +3.4% on Oct 16. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 21.3%.
What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1989?
Highest: 2,791.41 on October 9, 1989. Lowest: 2,144.64 on January 3, 1989. It closed higher on 141 of 252 trading days.
What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on October 13, 1989?
Friday the 13th mini-crash: Dow falls 190.58 points (6.91%). The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 6.9% that day, and was −4.9% a month later.
Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1989?
Yes — 8 record closing highs, the last at 2,791.41 on October 9, 1989.
Data: Daily closes since 26 May 1896. Saturday sessions were held until 1952. The NYSE was closed from 31 Jul to 11 Dec 1914. 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.
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For essays, articles and research. Prices on this page update daily, so the citations include today's date as the date you accessed it.
@misc{corgano2026dowjonesin1989, author = {{Corgano}}, title = {Dow Jones in 1989}, howpublished = {\url{https://goldprice.corgano.com/market-history/dow-jones/1989}}, year = {2026}, note = {Corgano Gold Price, accessed 2026-10-31}}