Goldman Sachs | Commemorates 150 Year History - The Dow Jones Industrial Average Reaches 1,000 Units for the First Time (2024)

In November 1972, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbs to 1,000 units for the first time in its history, a milestone 76 years in the making.

Goldman Sachs | Commemorates 150 Year History - The Dow Jones Industrial Average Reaches 1,000 Units for the First Time (1)

Floor of New York Stock Exchange on November 14, 1972 (Getty Images)

On November 14, 1972, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) crossed the 1,000-point mark, 21,652 days after its inception on October 7, 1896. The index had topped 100 in 1906, 300 in 1928, 500 in 1956, 700 in 1961 and 900 in 1965. In November 1972, the DJIA closed at 1,003.16 units, reflecting investors’ optimism about American business. Richard Nixon had just been reelected President, the economy was growing, and corporate profits were surging.

The day the DJIA passed the 1,000 mark, a total volume of 20.2 million shares was traded. At the time, institutional investors such as mutual funds, pension funds, and insurance companies accounted for 60 percent of the volume traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Brokers and analysts expected that the 1,000-point milestone would attract individual investors back to the market.

In 1972, Goldman Sachs was involved in the public offerings of common stock for Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Company, Dunkin-Donuts Inc., and Whirlpool Corporation, among others. That year, the firm managed or co-managed US$6 billion in public offerings of securities of leading American and international companies, and US$3.4 billion in public offerings for nearly 100 governmental entities in the United States and overseas. The firm had 45 general partners, 1,500 employees, and offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Francisco, Detroit, Memphis, and London.

From that date in 1972 when it first passed 1,000, it would take the DJIA more than 14 years to cross the 2,000 point milestone, which it did on January 8, 1987.

This article was originally published as part of a series commemorating the 150th anniversary of Goldman Sachs' founding in 1869.

Goldman Sachs | Commemorates 150 Year History - The Dow Jones Industrial Average Reaches 1,000 Units for the First Time (2024)

FAQs

When did the Dow first reach 1000? ›

In November 1972, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbs to 1,000 units for the first time in its history, a milestone 76 years in the making. On November 14, 1972, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) crossed the 1,000-point mark, 21,652 days after its inception on October 7, 1896.

In what year did the Dow Jones averages appear for the first time? ›

WHAT'S IN THE DOW? Not just industrial companies like Caterpillar and Honeywell, despite the name. The roster has changed many times since the Dow began in 1896 as the U.S. economy has transformed.

In what year did the Dow Jones Industrial Average close above 10000 for the first time? ›

Dow 10,000: March 29, 1999. The “irrational exuberance” of the tech bubble was in full swing as the Dow gained 1,000 points in less than a year to hit this benchmark. It gained 1,000 more points in just the next month.

How was the 1st Dow Jones Industrial Average calculated? ›

Back in 1896, all Charles Dow needed was a pencil and paper to compute the Dow Jones Industrial Average® (The Dow). He simply added up the prices of the 12 stocks and then divided by 12.

Has the Dow ever reached $40,000? ›

The Dow Jones Industrial Average topped the 40,000-point level at Friday's close for the first time in its history. Originating way back in 1896 and often considered a barometer of the overall U.S. economy, the index tracks the performance of 30 blue-chip companies.

When did the Dow first hit in 2000? ›

It may seem hard to believe with the Dow Jones Industrial Average floating above 5700, but it was less than 10 years ago, on Jan. 8, 1987, that the average first hit 2000.

What was the best year ever for the Dow Jones? ›

The statistic shows the best years of the Dow Jones Industrial Average index from 1897 to 2023. The best year in the history of the index was 1915, when the index value increased by 81.66 percent to close at 99.15 points compared to 54.58 in the previous year.

What does it mean that the Dow crosses $40,000? ›

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has just crossed the 40,000-point threshold for the first time, the latest milestone in the bull market for U.S. stocks that began when the S&P 500 bottomed in October 2022. The blue-chip gauge hit a session high of 40,000.54, before quickly dipping back under the line.

What is Dow Jones historical highest? ›

Records
CategoryAll-time highs
Closing40,003.59Friday, May 17, 2024
Intraday40,051.05Thursday, May 16, 2024

What is the highest the Dow Jones Industrial Average ever closed at? ›

Records. Record high close - May 17, 2024, Dow closes at 40,003.59 points. Biggest one-day point gain - March 24, 2020, the Dow gains 2,112.98 points. Biggest one-day percentage gain - March 15, 1933, the Dow closes up 15.34%.

When did Dow hit $5,000? ›

Dow 5,000 Rang in '90s Boom.

How many years did it take for the Dow to return to pre depression numbers? ›

The slide continued through the summer of 1932, when the Dow closed at 41.22, its lowest value of the twentieth century, 89 percent below its peak. The Dow did not return to its pre-crash heights until November 1954.

When did the Dow reach 1000? ›

The Dow's 1,000-Point Milestones

When The Dow® crossed 1,000 for the first time in November of 1972, cheers rang out on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The Dow's “big round number” milestones—whether 2,000, 10,000 or 20,000—have been met with enthusiasm ever since.

Should Christians invest in the stock market? ›

What Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31 can be applied to the stock market. There Paul said, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Certainly, investing in the stock market falls under “or whatever you do.” If you can do it to the glory of God, then do it.

Which stock exchange is the largest in value in the United States? ›

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the largest in the world, plays an important role in the U.S. financial system, but also reflects and influences global trends.

What date was the Dow at its highest? ›

The Bottom Line. The Dow posted its all-time high during intraday trading on May 16, 2024, reaching a peak of 40,051.05 points. The highest close occurred the day before when the index closed at 39,908.00 points. The peak was led in part by optimism that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates later this year.

When did the Dow first hit 9000? ›

July 1997 – The 8,000-level is breached. April 1998 – The Dow ends above 9,000. March 1999 – The once-unthinkable 10,000 is reached.

When was the Dow at 11000? ›

It first crossed 11,000 in May of 1999, and reached its highest close of all time on Oct. 9, 2007, when it finished at 14,164.53. The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 7.09, or 0.6 percent, to 1,165.15, and the Nasdaq composite index gained 18.24, or 0.8 percent, to 2,401.91.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 5373

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.