The S&P 500 in 1990
The S&P 500 fell 6.6% in 1990, from 353.40 to 330.22; with dividends reinvested, the total return was −3.1%. That ranks 1990 23rd-worst of the 98 complete calendar years since 1928.
- Price return
- −6.6%
- Total return
- −3.1%
- Deepest decline in the year
- −19.9%October 11, 1990
- Year-end close
- 330.22December 31, 1990
- Highest close
- 368.95July 16, 1990
- Lowest close
- 295.46October 11, 1990
- Record closes
- 6
- Trading days
- 253
- Best day
- +3.2%August 27, 1990
- Worst day
- −3.0%August 6, 1990
- Shiller CAPE in January
- 17.1
How 1990 unfolded
The highest close of the year was 368.95 on July 16, 1990; the lowest was 295.46 on October 11, 1990.
The deepest fall from a peak within the year was −19.9%, bottoming on October 11, 1990.
6 closes set new all-time highs, the last on July 16, 1990.
The best session was August 27, 1990 (+3.2%); the worst was August 6, 1990 (−3.0%).
The U.S. economy was in an NBER-dated recession in 5 months of 1990: August 1990 to December 1990.
The Shiller CAPE stood at 17.1 in January 1990.
The VIX averaged 23.1 over the year and closed as high as 36.5 on August 23, 1990.
Drawdowns that touched 1990
| Drawdown | Peak → trough | Decline | Back at the record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correction (10–20%) | October 9, 1989 → January 30, 1990 | −10.2% | May 29, 1990 |
| Correction (10–20%) | July 16, 1990 → October 11, 1990 | −19.9% | February 13, 1991 |
Every decline of 5% or more from a record close that was under way, or still being recovered, during 1990.
What $10,000 at the start of 1990 became
$10,000 invested in the S&P 500 at the start of 1990, with dividends reinvested, grew to $401,129 by the end of 2025: 10.8% a year. On price alone, without dividends, it came to $193,693.
FAQ
What was the S&P 500 return in 1990?
The S&P 500 fell 6.6% in 1990, from 353.40 to 330.22; with dividends reinvested, the total return was −3.1%.
How far did the S&P 500 fall in 1990?
Its deepest peak-to-trough decline within 1990 was −19.9%, reaching bottom on October 11, 1990.
Was 1990 part of a bear market?
No. No decline of 20% or more from a record close was under way in 1990.
Did the S&P 500 hit a record high in 1990?
Yes: 6 closes set new all-time highs in 1990, the last on July 16, 1990.
Data and sources
Daily closes · Calendar-year price returns · Calendar-year total returns · Intra-year declines · Drawdowns from record closes · Shiller CAPE · NBER recession months (via FRED) · VIX daily closes
Index levels are daily closes. Price return leaves dividends out; total return reinvests them. A past year's page changes only when a later year completes and the rankings move.