Dow Jones in 1991
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 20.3% in 1991, from 2,633.66 at the end of 1990 to 3,168.83. Its highest close was 3,168.83 on Dec 31 — a record that stood until January 2, 1992, and its lowest 2,470.30 on Jan 9. The biggest one-day fall was −3.9% on Nov 15 and the biggest rise +4.6% on Jan 17. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 16.7%.
Dow Jones, daily closes 1991
Numbers mark the events belowKey Events in 1991
What happened, and how the Dow Jones moved — on the day (or the next trading day) and about a month later.
- 1
Thursday, January 17US-led coalition begins Operation Desert Storm air campaign against Iraq. SourceDow Jones: +4.6% that day · +14.7% a month later
- 2
Thursday, February 28Operation Desert Storm ends after the 100-hour ground campaign. SourceDow Jones: −0.2% that day · +0.9% a month later
- 3
Wednesday, April 17 From the dataDow Jones sets the first of 11 record closing highs this year, at 3,004.46. Dow Jones closes above 3,000 for the first time (3,004.46). Back above its pre-bear-market peak of 2,999.75 (July 16, 1990).
- 4
Monday, August 19Hardliners launch a coup attempt against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev; it collapses within days. SourceDow Jones: −2.4% that day · +1.5% a month later
- 5
Friday, November 15 From the dataBiggest one-day fall of the year: −3.9%.
- 6
Thursday, December 26The Soviet Union is formally dissolved. SourceDow Jones: +1.0% that day · +6.0% a month later
- 7
Tuesday, December 31 From the dataLast record close of the year: 3,168.83.
Biggest days of 1991
| Best days | Worst days | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 17 | +4.6% | Nov 15 | −3.9% |
| Aug 21 | +3.0% | Aug 19 | −2.4% |
| Dec 23 | +3.0% | Mar 19 | −2.1% |
| Feb 11 | +2.5% | Jun 24 | −1.8% |
| Apr 2 | +2.2% | May 10 | −1.7% |
Volatility: 14.7% (annualised standard deviation of daily changes).
Month by month
| Month | Close | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2,736.39 | +3.9% |
| Feb | 2,882.18 | +5.3% |
| Mar | 2,913.86 | +1.1% |
| Apr | 2,887.87 | −0.9% |
| May | 3,027.50 | +4.8% |
| Jun | 2,906.75 | −4.0% |
| Jul | 3,024.82 | +4.1% |
| Aug | 3,043.60 | +0.6% |
| Sep | 3,016.77 | −0.9% |
| Oct | 3,069.10 | +1.7% |
| Nov | 2,894.68 | −5.7% |
| Dec | 3,168.83 | +9.5% |
Other Markets in 1991
Change over the calendar year.
| Market | Change | Year-end |
|---|---|---|
| Dow Jones | +20.3% | 3,168.83 |
| S&P 500 in 1991 | +26.3% | 417.09 |
| Nasdaq Composite in 1991 | +56.9% | 586.34 |
| Russell 2000 in 1991 | +43.7% | 189.94 |
| Nikkei 225 in 1991 | −3.6% | 22,984.00 |
| Gold in 1991 | −8.6% | $353.15 |
| Silver in 1991 | −7.9% | $3.86 |
| WTI crude oil in 1991 | −32.8% | $19.15 |
| Brent crude oil in 1991 | −37.4% | $17.75 |
| US 10-year Treasury yield in 1991 | −1.37 pp | 6.71% |
Dow Jones in 1991: FAQ
How much did the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise in 1991?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 20.3% in 1991, from 2,633.66 at the end of 1990 to 3,168.83. Its highest close was 3,168.83 on Dec 31 — a record that stood until January 2, 1992, and its lowest 2,470.30 on Jan 9. The biggest one-day fall was −3.9% on Nov 15 and the biggest rise +4.6% on Jan 17. Adjusted for inflation, it gained 16.7%.
What were the highest and lowest closes of the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 1991?
Highest: 3,168.83 on December 31, 1991. Lowest: 2,470.30 on January 9, 1991. It closed higher on 124 of 253 trading days.
What happened to the Dow Jones Industrial Average on January 17, 1991?
US-led coalition begins Operation Desert Storm air campaign against Iraq. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 4.6% that day, and was +14.7% a month later.
Did the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record high in 1991?
Yes — 11 record closing highs, the last at 3,168.83 on December 31, 1991.
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.
Cite this page
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{corgano2026dowjonesin1991, author = {{Corgano}}, title = {Dow Jones in 1991}, howpublished = {\url{https://goldprice.corgano.com/market-history/dow-jones/1991}}, year = {2026}, note = {Corgano Gold Price, accessed 2026-10-31}}