The statistic shows the worst days of the Dow Jones Industrial Average index from 1897 to 2024. The worst day in the history of the index was October 19 1987, when the index value decreased by 22.61 percent. The largest single day loss in points was on May 2, 2018.

Following the announcement of sweeping tariffs on all countries by Donald Trump, April 4, 2025 became the day with the third-highest point losses for the Dow Jones Industrial Average in history. Worse than the loss experienced on that day were only the losses that occurred following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted significant points losses due to the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. With stocks falling sharply, the Dow recorded its worst single-day points drop ever, plunging 2,997 points – nearly 13 percent – on March 16, 2020.

The value of the DJIA index amounted to 43,191.24 at the end of March 2025, up from 21,917.16 at the end of March 2020. Global panic about the coronavirus epidemic caused the drop in March 2020, which was the worst drop since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Dow Jones Industrial Average index – additional information The Dow Jones Industrial Average index is a price-weighted average of 30 of the largest American publicly traded companies on New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, and includes companies like Goldman Sachs, IBM and Walt Disney. This index is considered to be a barometer of the state of the American economy. DJIA index was created in 1986 by Charles Dow. Along with the NASDAQ 100 and S&P 500 indices, it is amongst the most well-known and used stock indexes in the world. The year that the 2018 financial crisis unfolded was one of the worst years of the Dow. It was also in 2008 that some of the largest ever recorded losses of the Dow Jones Index based on single-day points were registered. On September 29th of 2008, for instance, the Dow had a loss of 106.85 points, one of the largest single-day losses of all times. The best years in the history of the index still are 1915, when the index value increased by 81.66 percent in one year, and 1933, year when the index registered a growth of 63.74 percent.

Historical dataset of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) stock market index for the last 100 years. Historical data is inflation-adjusted using the headline CPI and each data point represents the month-end closing value. The current month is updated on an hourly basis with today's latest value.

The main stock market index of United States, the US500, rose to 6008 points on June 9, 2025, gaining 0.13% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 2.80% and is up 12.07% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from United States. United States Stock Market Index - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) index dropped around 8,000 points in the four weeks from February 12 to March 11, 2020, but has since recovered and peaked at 44,910.65 points as of November 24, 2024. In February 2020 - just prior to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the DJIA index stood at a little over 29,000 points. U.S. markets suffer as virus spreads The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a turbulent period for stock markets – the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also recorded dramatic drops. At the start of February, some analysts remained optimistic that the outbreak would ease. However, the increased spread of the virus started to hit investor confidence, prompting a record plunge in the stock markets. The Dow dropped by more than 3,500 points in the week from February 21 to February 28, which was a fall of 12.4 percent – its worst percentage loss in a week since October 2008. Stock markets offer valuable economic insights The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a stock market index that monitors the share prices of the 30 largest companies in the United States. By studying the performance of the listed companies, analysts can gauge the strength of the domestic economy. If investors are confident in a company’s future, they will buy its stocks. The uncertainty of the coronavirus sparked fears of an economic crisis, and many traders decided that investment during the pandemic was too risky.

The statistic shows the best days of the Dow Jones Industrial Average index from 1897 to 2024. The best day in the history of the index was October 6, 1931, when the index value increased by almost 15 percent - although it should be noted that this occured one day after the Dow Jones experienced its fourth-worst day of all time, dropping over 10.7 percent. The largest gain in points occurred on October 13, 2008.

There have been ups and downs in the history of the Dow Jones Industrial Average index (DJIA). Some years brought as much as 30 percent of decrease in its value. Great Recession, however, took the largest toll on the Dow. In 1931, the index lost 52.67 percent of its value.

Index history

Dow Jones Industrial Average index (DJIA) is one of the most important stock market indices worldwide. It was created in 1896 by Charles Dow and Edward Jones. DJIA is the second oldest U.S. stock index after the Dow Jones Transportation Average, which was established in 1984.

Index components

DJIA reflects the performance of thirty large U.S. publicly traded companies. When the index was created, it was primarily composed of industrial companies, hence the index name. With time, the economic situation in the U.S. has changed and apart from industrial companies, which played a huge role in the market in the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, also companies from other leading industries were incorporated into the index. At present, the DJIA index is composed of most renowned U.S. corporations, such as Coca Cola, Microsoft or Walt Disney.

United Kingdom's main stock market index, the GB100, rose to 8838 points on June 6, 2025, gaining 0.30% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 3.25% and is up 7.19% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from United Kingdom. United Kingdom Stock Market Index (GB100) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

Between March 2020 and August 2024, four of the biggest one-day losses on the Nasdaq Composite Index occurred in the first half of 2020. The worst day was March 16, 2020, when the index fell by 12.32 percent. The 25 worst days in terms of losses were spread across 2020 and 2022. This index includes the Big Five tech giants - Apple, Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Meta, and Microsoft - as well as many other technology-focused companies.

This statistic presents the development of the Dow Jones Industrial Average index from 1986 to 2023. The 2023 year-end value of Dow Jones Industrial Average index amounted to 37,689.54. What is the Dow Jones Industrial Average index? Along with the NASDAQ 100 index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is amongst the most well-known and used stock indexes in the world. DJIA index was created in 1985 by Charles Dow. It is second oldest U.S. index and one of the most important U.S. stock market indices. It reflects the performance of 30 of the most influential U.S. based companies from various industries, such as JPMorgan Chase, IBM and Walt Disney traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ. Performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average The year that the financial crisis unfolded, 2008, was one of the worst years of the Dow. It was also in 2008 that some of the largest ever recorded losses of the DJIA based on single-day points were registered. On September 29th of 2008, for instance, the Dow had a loss of 106.85 points, the third largest single-day loss of all times. Since 2008 the index has generally been increasing, registering a high of 28,538.44 in 2019 before the economic effects of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused both the largest single-day losses, and largest single-day gains of the DJIA.

Italy's main stock market index, the IT40, fell to 40352 points on June 9, 2025, losing 0.61% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 1.08% and is up 16.82% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Italy. Italy Stock Market Index (IT40) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

Interactive chart of the NASDAQ Composite stock market index since 1971. Historical data is inflation-adjusted using the headline CPI and each data point represents the month-end closing value. The current month is updated on an hourly basis with today's latest value.

Israel's main stock market index, the TA-125, fell to 2746 points on June 9, 2025, losing 0.21% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 2.86% and is up 40.16% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Israel. Israel Stock Market (TA-125) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

Euro Area's main stock market index, the EU50, rose to 5428 points on June 6, 2025, gaining 0.39% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 3.78% and is up 7.45% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Euro Area. Euro Area Stock Market Index (EU50) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

Turkey's main stock market index, the BIST 100, rose to 9487 points on June 5, 2025, gaining 0.12% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 3.85%, though it remains 7.72% lower than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Turkey. Turkey Stock Market - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

S&P 500 YTD Performance. Interactive chart showing the YTD daily performance of the S&P 500 stock market index. Performance is shown as the percentage gain from the last trading day of the previous year.

The average for 2021 based on 87 countries was 32.21 percent. The highest value was in Venezuela: 991.39 percent and the lowest value was in Botswana: -6.38 percent. The indicator is available from 1984 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Germany's main stock market index, the DE40, fell to 24304 points on June 6, 2025, losing 0.08% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 5.14% and is up 30.97% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Germany. Germany Stock Market Index (DE40) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

While the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Italy increased, the Italian leading stock index FTSE MIB registered one of its most significant drops ever. In fact, the last week of February 2020 was the eighth worst week for the Italian stock market since 1998 (as of February 2020). However, the worst day overall was registered on March 12, 2020.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.