The S&P 500, year by year

The S&P 500 has gained 13.4% so far in 2026 with dividends reinvested (+12.8% in price alone) — which would make it the 20th best of 33 years since 1994. SPY went from 681.92 at the close of December 31, 2025 to 769.38 on August 28, 2026, over 165 trading days (88 up, 77 down). It spent 31 of them below where it started.

No curated events for this year yet, so the markers are the year's own turning points so far: its highest and lowest close, best and worst day, deepest fall. Full 2026 year-to-date analysis →

1. 1
   Lowest close so far: 631.97March 30-0.3% that day
2. 2
   Best day so far: +2.9%March 31+2.9% that day
3. 3
   Worst day so far: -2.6%June 5-2.6% that day
4. 4
   Highest close so far: 777.88August 13+0.7% that day

• Deepest fall -8.9% (January 27 → March 30)
• Best day +2.9% (March 31)
• Worst day -2.6% (June 5)
• $10,000 at the start of 2026 → $11,343 as of August 28, 2026 (+21.1%/yr over 0.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 17.7% in 2025 with dividends reinvested (+16.4% in price alone) — the 15th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 586.08 at the close of December 31, 2024 to 681.92 on December 31, 2025, over 251 trading days (143 up, 107 down). It spent 58 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   DeepSeek shockJanuary 27-1.4% that day

   Nvidia fell 17%, the largest one-day loss of market value for any company.
2. 2
   Record close of 6,144February 19+0.2% that day
3. 3
   “Liberation Day” tariffs announcedApril 2+0.6% that day

   After the close; the two sessions that followed lost 10.5%.
4. 4
   S&P 500 falls 6% — the worst day since March 2020April 4-5.9% that day
5. 5
   The closing low: S&P 500 at 4,983April 8-1.6% that day

   Down 19% from February.
6. 6
   Ninety-day tariff pauseApril 9+10.5% that day

   The S&P 500 rose 9.5%, its third-best day since World War II.
7. 7
   US–China tariff truceMay 12+3.3% that day

   The S&P 500 rose 3.3%.
8. 8
   New record highJune 27+0.5% that day

   The round trip from record to bear-market brink and back took four months.
9. 9
   The Fed resumes cuttingSeptember 17-0.1% that day
10. 10
    S&P 500 falls 2.7% on new China tariff threatsOctober 10-2.7% that day

• Deepest fall -18.8% (February 19 → April 8)
• Best day +10.5% (April 9)
• Worst day -5.9% (April 4)
• $10,000 at the start of 2025 → $13,352 as of August 28, 2026 (+19.1%/yr over 1.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 24.9% in 2024 with dividends reinvested (+23.3% in price alone) — the 10th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 475.31 at the close of December 29, 2023 to 586.08 on December 31, 2024, over 252 trading days (148 up, 104 down). It spent 8 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Spot bitcoin ETFs approvedJanuary 10+0.6% that day
2. 2
   First record close since January 2022January 19+1.2% that day
3. 3
   Spring pullback lowApril 19-0.9% that day

   A 5.5% dip on sticky inflation and Middle East tension.
4. 4
   Nvidia briefly becomes the world's most valuable companyJune 18+0.3% that day
5. 5
   Yen carry-trade unwindAugust 5-2.9% that day

   Japan's Nikkei fell 12%; the VIX spiked to 65 intraday and the S&P 500 fell 3%.
6. 6
   The Fed's first cut, 50 basis pointsSeptember 18-0.3% that day
7. 7
   Trump electedNovember 6+2.5% that day

   The S&P 500 rose 2.5%, its best post-election day ever.
8. 8
   Hawkish Fed cutDecember 18-3.0% that day

   Fewer cuts pencilled in for 2025; the S&P 500 fell 2.9%.

• Deepest fall -8.4% (July 16 → August 5)
• Best day +2.5% (November 6)
• Worst day -3.0% (December 18)
• $10,000 at the start of 2024 → $16,675 as of August 28, 2026 (+21.2%/yr over 2.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 26.2% in 2023 with dividends reinvested (+24.3% in price alone) — the 9th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 382.43 at the close of December 30, 2022 to 475.31 on December 29, 2023, over 250 trading days (140 up, 109 down). It spent 2 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   The Fed slows to quarter-point hikesFebruary 1+1.1% that day
2. 2
   Silicon Valley Bank failsMarch 10-1.4% that day

   The second-largest bank failure in US history; Signature Bank followed on Sunday.
3. 3
   UBS takes over Credit SuisseMarch 19+1.0% next session
4. 4
   First Republic seized and sold to JPMorganMay 1-0.1% that day
5. 5
   Nvidia jumps 24% on AI demandMay 25+0.9% that day

   The guidance that turned the AI rally into the year's story.
6. 6
   Debt-ceiling deal signedJune 3-0.2% next session
7. 7
   A new bull marketJune 8+0.6% that day

   The S&P 500 closed 20% above its October 2022 low.
8. 8
   The Fed's final hike, to 5.25–5.5%July 26+0.0% that day
9. 9
   Autumn correction lowOctober 27-0.5% that day

   Down 10% from July as ten-year yields touched 5%.
10. 10
    The Fed pencils in 2024 cutsDecember 13+1.4% that day

    The index rallied to within a point of its record by year end.

• Deepest fall -10.0% (July 31 → October 27)
• Best day +2.3% (January 6)
• Worst day -2.0% (February 21)
• $10,000 at the start of 2023 → $21,040 as of August 28, 2026 (+22.5%/yr over 3.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 lost 18.2% in 2022 with dividends reinvested (-19.5% in price alone) — the 30th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 474.96 at the close of December 31, 2021 to 382.43 on December 30, 2022, over 251 trading days (109 up, 141 down).

1. 1
   Record close of 4,797January 3+0.6% that day

   The bull-market peak, on the first trading day of the year.
2. 2
   Russia invades UkraineFebruary 24+1.5% that day
3. 3
   The Fed's first hike, 25 basis pointsMarch 16+2.2% that day
4. 4
   S&P 500 falls 3.6%May 5-3.6% that day

   The day after a 50-basis-point hike.
5. 5
   Bear market confirmedJune 13-3.8% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 3.9% to close 21% below its January peak after an 8.6% CPI print.
6. 6
   First 75-basis-point hike since 1994June 15+1.4% that day
7. 7
   Powell's “pain” speech at Jackson HoleAugust 26-3.4% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 3.4%.
8. 8
   Hot CPI: S&P 500 falls 4.3%September 13-4.3% that day

   The worst day since June 2020.
9. 9
   The bear-market low: S&P 500 at 3,577October 12-0.3% that day

   Down 25% from January.
10. 10
    Soft CPI: S&P 500 rises 5.5%November 10+5.5% that day

    Its best day since April 2020.
11. 11
    FTX files for bankruptcyNovember 11+1.0% that day

• Deepest fall -24.5% (January 3 → October 12)
• Best day +5.5% (November 10)
• Worst day -4.3% (September 13)
• $10,000 at the start of 2022 → $17,216 as of August 28, 2026 (+12.4%/yr over 4.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 28.7% in 2021 with dividends reinvested (+27.0% in price alone) — the 5th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 373.88 at the close of December 31, 2020 to 474.96 on December 31, 2021, over 252 trading days (146 up, 106 down). It spent 4 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Capitol riot; Georgia runoffs hand Democrats the SenateJanuary 6+0.6% that day
2. 2
   GameStop short squeeze peaksJanuary 27-2.4% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 2.6%, its worst day since October.
3. 3
   $1.9tn American Rescue Plan signedMarch 11+1.0% that day
4. 4
   Archegos collapsesMarch 26+1.6% that day

   Its banks dumped $20bn of stock in a day.
5. 5
   Coinbase lists on NasdaqApril 14-0.3% that day
6. 6
   The Fed pulls forward its rate-hike outlookJune 16-0.6% that day
7. 7
   Evergrande scareSeptember 20-1.7% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 1.7% on fears of a Chinese property default.
8. 8
   The Fed announces the taperNovember 3+0.6% that day
9. 9
   OmicronNovember 26-2.2% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 2.3% on a half-day session.
10. 10
    Powell retires the word “transitory”November 30-1.9% that day

• Deepest fall -5.1% (September 2 → October 4)
• Best day +2.4% (March 1)
• Worst day -2.4% (January 27)
• $10,000 at the start of 2021 → $22,162 as of August 28, 2026 (+15.1%/yr over 5.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 18.3% in 2020 with dividends reinvested (+16.2% in price alone) — the 14th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 321.86 at the close of December 31, 2019 to 373.88 on December 31, 2020, over 253 trading days (146 up, 107 down). It spent 96 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Pre-pandemic record: S&P 500 at 3,386February 19+0.5% that day
2. 2
   Emergency 50-basis-point Fed cutMarch 3-2.9% that day
3. 3
   Circuit breaker halts tradingMarch 9-7.8% that day

   The first since 1997; oil crashed 25% on a Saudi–Russia price war. The S&P 500 fell 7.6%.
4. 4
   WHO declares a pandemicMarch 11-4.9% that day
5. 5
   S&P 500 falls 9.5%March 12-9.6% that day
6. 6
   The Fed cuts to zero and restarts QEMarch 15-10.9% next session

   Announced on a Sunday evening.
7. 7
   S&P 500 falls 12% — worst day since 1987March 16-10.9% that day
8. 8
   The bottom: S&P 500 at 2,237March 23-2.6% that day

   The Fed announced unlimited QE that morning; the index was down 34% from February.
9. 9
   $2.2tn CARES Act signedMarch 27-3.0% that day
10. 10
    Oil settles below zeroApril 20-1.8% that day

    WTI closed at −$37.63 as storage ran out.
11. 11
    New record highAugust 18+0.2% that day

    The full recovery took five months.
12. 12
    Pfizer's vaccine worksNovember 9+1.3% that day

    The sharpest one-day rotation into cyclicals on record.

• Deepest fall -33.7% (February 19 → March 23)
• Best day +9.1% (March 24)
• Worst day -10.9% (March 16)
• $10,000 at the start of 2020 → $26,225 as of August 28, 2026 (+15.6%/yr over 6.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 31.2% in 2019 with dividends reinvested (+28.8% in price alone) — the 4th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 249.92 at the close of December 31, 2018 to 321.86 on December 31, 2019, over 252 trading days (150 up, 102 down). It spent 1 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Powell signals patience on ratesJanuary 4+3.3% that day

   The S&P 500 rose 3.4%; the pivot from hiking was on.
2. 2
   Tariff escalation announced by tweetMay 5-0.4% next session

   May was the year's only losing month.
3. 3
   First Fed cut since 2008July 31-1.1% that day
4. 4
   The 2s–10s yield curve invertsAugust 14-3.0% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 2.9%.
5. 5
   Repo rates spike; the Fed intervenesSeptember 17+0.3% that day
6. 6
   The Fed's third cut of the yearOctober 30+0.3% that day
7. 7
   Phase-one US–China trade deal announcedDecember 13+0.1% that day

• Deepest fall -6.6% (May 3 → June 3)
• Best day +3.3% (January 4)
• Worst day -3.0% (August 5)
• $10,000 at the start of 2019 → $34,413 as of August 28, 2026 (+17.5%/yr over 7.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 lost 4.6% in 2018 with dividends reinvested (-6.3% in price alone) — the 27th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 266.86 at the close of December 29, 2017 to 249.92 on December 31, 2018, over 251 trading days (133 up, 116 down).

1. 1
   S&P 500 record close of 2,873January 26+1.2% that day
2. 2
   “Volmageddon”February 5-4.2% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 4.1% and the VIX more than doubled in a day; several short-volatility products were wiped out.
3. 3
   Tariffs on China announcedMarch 22-2.5% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 2.5%; the trade war had begun.
4. 4
   Record close of 2,931September 20+0.8% that day

   The high before the fourth-quarter slide.
5. 5
   S&P 500 falls 3.3%October 10-3.2% that day

   The start of a three-month, 20% decline.
6. 6
   The Fed's fourth hike of the yearDecember 19-1.5% that day

   Powell's “autopilot” remark on the balance sheet sent stocks lower.
7. 7
   Christmas Eve lowDecember 24-2.6% that day

   The S&P 500 closed at 2,351, down 19.8% from September.
8. 8
   Dow gains 1,086 pointsDecember 26+5.1% that day

   Its largest one-day point gain to date.

• Deepest fall -19.3% (September 20 → December 24)
• Best day +5.1% (December 26)
• Worst day -4.2% (February 5)
• $10,000 at the start of 2018 → $32,841 as of August 28, 2026 (+14.7%/yr over 8.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 21.7% in 2017 with dividends reinvested (+19.4% in price alone) — the 12th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 223.53 at the close of December 30, 2016 to 266.86 on December 29, 2017, over 251 trading days (143 up, 107 down).

1. 1
   Dow closes above 20,000January 25+0.9% that day
2. 2
   Fed hikes, the first of three in 2017March 15+0.9% that day
3. 3
   One-day tech routJune 9-0.2% that day

   The megacaps fell sharply on a valuation call; the index barely noticed.
4. 4
   The Fed begins shrinking its balance sheetOctober 2+0.4% that day
5. 5
   Jerome Powell nominated as Fed chairNovember 2+0.0% that day
6. 6
   Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signedDecember 22-0.0% that day

   The S&P 500 rose every single month of 2017 on a total-return basis — the first time ever.

• Deepest fall -2.6% (March 1 → April 13)
• Best day +1.4% (March 1)
• Worst day -1.8% (May 17)
• $10,000 at the start of 2017 → $39,969 as of August 28, 2026 (+15.4%/yr over 9.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 12.0% in 2016 with dividends reinvested (+9.6% in price alone) — the 20th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 203.87 at the close of December 31, 2015 to 223.53 on December 30, 2016, over 252 trading days (137 up, 114 down). It spent 52 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Oil falls below $27January 20-1.3% that day

   The worst start to a year for stocks on record.
2. 2
   The year's closing low: S&P 500 at 1,829February 11-1.3% that day
3. 3
   The UK votes to leave the EUJune 23+1.3% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 3.6% the next day.
4. 4
   First record close in fourteen monthsJuly 11+0.4% that day
5. 5
   Trump electedNovember 8+0.5% that day

   Futures fell 5% overnight, then the index rallied to records within days.
6. 6
   OPEC agrees its first production cut since 2008November 30-0.2% that day
7. 7
   The Fed's second hikeDecember 14-0.8% that day

• Deepest fall -10.3% (December 31, 2015 → February 11)
• Best day +2.4% (January 29)
• Worst day -3.6% (June 24)
• $10,000 at the start of 2016 → $44,764 as of August 28, 2026 (+15.1%/yr over 10.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 1.2% in 2015 with dividends reinvested (-0.8% in price alone) — the 25th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 205.54 at the close of December 31, 2014 to 203.87 on December 31, 2015, over 252 trading days (121 up, 131 down). It spent 67 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Switzerland abandons the franc's euro capJanuary 15-0.9% that day
2. 2
   The ECB announces quantitative easingJanuary 22+1.5% that day
3. 3
   S&P 500 record close of 2,131May 21+0.3% that day

   The high for the year; the index went nowhere for the next fourteen months.
4. 4
   Greece closes its banksJune 29-2.1% that day
5. 5
   China devalues the yuanAugust 11-0.9% that day
6. 6
   Black MondayAugust 24-4.2% that day

   The Dow fell 1,000 points at the open; the S&P 500 lost 3.9% and the VIX hit 53.
7. 7
   The Fed holds, citing global risksSeptember 17-0.2% that day
8. 8
   First Fed hike since 2006December 16+1.5% that day

• Deepest fall -11.9% (July 20 → August 25)
• Best day +3.8% (August 26)
• Worst day -4.2% (August 24)
• $10,000 at the start of 2015 → $45,317 as of August 28, 2026 (+13.8%/yr over 11.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 13.5% in 2014 with dividends reinvested (+11.3% in price alone) — the 19th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 184.69 at the close of December 31, 2013 to 205.54 on December 31, 2014, over 252 trading days (149 up, 103 down). It spent 39 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Russia annexes CrimeaMarch 18+0.7% that day
2. 2
   Alibaba IPOSeptember 19-0.1% that day

   The largest ever, at $25bn.
3. 3
   The Treasury flash rallyOctober 15-0.7% that day

   Stocks fell 3% intraday at the low of the year's only real correction.
4. 4
   The Fed ends QE3October 29-0.2% that day
5. 5
   OPEC declines to cut productionNovember 27-0.2% next session

   Oil, already down a third since June, kept falling.
6. 6
   Ruble crisisDecember 16-0.8% that day

   Russia's central bank hiked to 17% overnight.

• Deepest fall -7.3% (September 18 → October 16)
• Best day +2.5% (December 18)
• Worst day -2.3% (February 3)
• $10,000 at the start of 2014 → $51,418 as of August 28, 2026 (+13.8%/yr over 12.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 32.3% in 2013 with dividends reinvested (+29.7% in price alone) — the 3rd best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 142.41 at the close of December 31, 2012 to 184.69 on December 31, 2013, over 252 trading days (146 up, 103 down).

1. 1
   Fiscal-cliff deal signedJanuary 2+2.6% that day

   The S&P 500 rose 2.5%, its best day of the year.
2. 2
   First record close since 2007March 28+0.3% that day

   The S&P 500 finally passed its October 2007 high.
3. 3
   Bernanke raises the possibility of tapering QEMay 22-0.7% that day

   The “taper tantrum” in bonds began.
4. 4
   Bernanke lays out a timeline for ending QEJune 19-1.4% that day

   Stocks fell 2.5% the next day.
5. 5
   Government shutdown beginsOctober 1+0.8% that day

   Sixteen days, ended by a debt-ceiling deal on October 16.
6. 6
   The Fed announces the taperDecember 18+1.7% that day

   $10bn less a month; stocks rose 1.7% to a record.

• Deepest fall -5.6% (May 21 → June 24)
• Best day +2.6% (January 2)
• Worst day -2.5% (June 20)
• $10,000 at the start of 2013 → $68,030 as of August 28, 2026 (+15.1%/yr over 13.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 15.4% in 2012 with dividends reinvested (+13.5% in price alone) — the 17th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 125.50 at the close of December 30, 2011 to 142.41 on December 31, 2012, over 250 trading days (137 up, 111 down).

1. 1
   Facebook IPOMay 18-0.9% that day
2. 2
   Weak jobs report; S&P 500 falls 2.5%June 1-2.5% that day

   The year's low came the following Monday.
3. 3
   Draghi: “whatever it takes” to preserve the euroJuly 26+1.6% that day
4. 4
   QE3 announcedSeptember 13+1.5% that day

   $40bn a month of mortgage bonds, open-ended.
5. 5
   Obama re-electedNovember 6+0.8% that day

   Stocks fell for a week on fiscal-cliff worries.
6. 6
   Fiscal-cliff deal reachedDecember 31+1.7% that day

   Passed by the House on New Year's Day.

• Deepest fall -9.7% (April 2 → June 4)
• Best day +2.5% (June 29)
• Worst day -2.5% (June 1)
• $10,000 at the start of 2012 → $78,489 as of August 28, 2026 (+15.1%/yr over 14.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 1.9% in 2011 with dividends reinvested (-0.2% in price alone) — the 24th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 125.75 at the close of December 31, 2010 to 125.50 on December 30, 2011, over 252 trading days (136 up, 116 down). It spent 71 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Japan earthquake, tsunami and FukushimaMarch 11+0.7% that day
2. 2
   Debt-ceiling deal signed hours before the deadlineAugust 2-2.6% that day
3. 3
   S&P downgrades the United States to AA+August 5-0.1% that day

   After the close on a Friday.
4. 4
   First session after the downgradeAugust 8-6.5% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 6.7%.
5. 5
   The Fed pledges near-zero rates through mid-2013August 9+4.6% that day
6. 6
   Operation Twist announcedSeptember 21-2.9% that day
7. 7
   The year's closing low: S&P 500 at 1,099October 3-2.8% that day
8. 8
   EU agrees a Greek debt writedownOctober 27+3.5% that day

   Stocks jumped 3.4% on the day.

• Deepest fall -18.6% (April 29 → October 3)
• Best day +4.6% (August 9)
• Worst day -6.5% (August 8)
• $10,000 at the start of 2011 → $79,977 as of August 28, 2026 (+14.2%/yr over 15.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 15.1% in 2010 with dividends reinvested (+12.8% in price alone) — the 18th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 111.44 at the close of December 31, 2009 to 125.75 on December 31, 2010, over 252 trading days (146 up, 105 down). It spent 86 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Greece requests an EU–IMF bailoutApril 23+0.7% that day

   The eurozone debt crisis begins in earnest.
2. 2
   The Flash CrashMay 6-3.3% that day

   The Dow fell almost 1,000 points in minutes before recovering most of it.
3. 3
   Dodd–Frank Act signedJuly 21-1.3% that day
4. 4
   Bernanke hints at more easing at Jackson HoleAugust 27+1.5% that day
5. 5
   QE2 announced: $600bn of Treasury purchasesNovember 3+0.4% that day

• Deepest fall -15.7% (April 23 → July 2)
• Best day +4.4% (May 10)
• Worst day -3.8% (May 20)
• $10,000 at the start of 2010 → $92,018 as of August 28, 2026 (+14.3%/yr over 16.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 26.4% in 2009 with dividends reinvested (+23.5% in price alone) — the 8th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 90.24 at the close of December 31, 2008 to 111.44 on December 31, 2009, over 252 trading days (141 up, 111 down). It spent 87 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   $787bn stimulus (ARRA) signedFebruary 17-4.3% that day
2. 2
   Bear-market low: S&P 500 at 677March 9-1.2% that day

   Down 57% from the October 2007 peak. The intraday low of 666 came on March 6.
3. 3
   The Fed expands QE, adding $300bn of Treasury purchasesMarch 18+2.2% that day
4. 4
   Mark-to-market accounting rules relaxedApril 2+2.9% that day

   The FASB eased how banks had to value illiquid assets.
5. 5
   Bank stress-test results releasedMay 7-1.4% that day
6. 6
   General Motors files for bankruptcyJune 1+2.4% that day

   The recession ended that month, the NBER later ruled.

• Deepest fall -27.1% (January 6 → March 9)
• Best day +7.2% (March 23)
• Worst day -5.3% (January 20)
• $10,000 at the start of 2009 → $116,268 as of August 28, 2026 (+14.9%/yr over 17.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 lost 36.8% in 2008 with dividends reinvested (-38.3% in price alone) — the worst of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 146.21 at the close of December 31, 2007 to 90.24 on December 31, 2008, over 253 trading days (126 up, 127 down).

1. 1
   Emergency 75-basis-point Fed cutJanuary 22-1.0% that day

   The largest single cut since 1984, announced before the open after a global selloff.
2. 2
   Bear Stearns sold to JPMorgan for $2 a shareMarch 16-1.0% next session

   A Fed-backed rescue over a weekend.
3. 3
   Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac taken into conservatorshipSeptember 7+2.1% next session
4. 4
   Lehman Brothers files for bankruptcySeptember 15-4.8% that day

   Merrill Lynch sold itself to Bank of America the same day.
5. 5
   AIG rescued with an $85bn Fed loanSeptember 16+1.7% that day
6. 6
   The House rejects the $700bn bailoutSeptember 29-7.8% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 8.8% and the Dow 777 points — the largest point drop in its history.
7. 7
   TARP signed into lawOctober 3-1.4% that day

   After a second House vote passed it.
8. 8
   Biggest one-day gain since 1933October 13+14.5% that day

   The S&P 500 rose 11.6% on coordinated bank recapitalisations.
9. 9
   The year's closing low: S&P 500 at 752November 20-7.4% that day
10. 10
    Fed cuts to 0–0.25%December 16+4.7% that day

    The zero lower bound; rates stayed there seven years.

• Deepest fall -47.6% (December 31, 2007 → November 20)
• Best day +14.5% (October 13)
• Worst day -9.8% (October 15)
• $10,000 at the start of 2008 → $73,488 as of August 28, 2026 (+11.3%/yr over 18.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 5.1% in 2007 with dividends reinvested (+3.2% in price alone) — the 22nd best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 141.62 at the close of December 29, 2006 to 146.21 on December 31, 2007, over 251 trading days (138 up, 112 down). It spent 21 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Shanghai falls 9%; Dow drops 416February 27-3.9% that day

   The first global tremor of the year.
2. 2
   Two Bear Stearns hedge funds file for bankruptcyJuly 31-1.1% that day

   Both had been wiped out by subprime mortgage bets.
3. 3
   BNP Paribas freezes three funds; the credit crunch beginsAugust 9-3.0% that day

   The ECB injected €95bn into the banking system the same day.
4. 4
   The Fed's first cut of the cycle, 50 basis pointsSeptember 18+2.9% that day
5. 5
   S&P 500 record close of 1,565October 9+0.9% that day

   The pre-crisis peak.

• Deepest fall -9.9% (October 9 → November 26)
• Best day +3.2% (November 28)
• Worst day -3.9% (February 27)
• $10,000 at the start of 2007 → $77,270 as of August 28, 2026 (+11.0%/yr over 19.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 15.8% in 2006 with dividends reinvested (+13.7% in price alone) — the 16th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 124.51 at the close of December 30, 2005 to 141.62 on December 29, 2006, over 250 trading days (141 up, 109 down). It spent 4 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Greenspan's last FOMC meetingJanuary 31-0.7% that day

   Bernanke took over the next day.
2. 2
   Fed hikes to 5%May 10-0.1% that day

   A sharp selloff in commodities and emerging markets followed through June.
3. 3
   Mid-year lowJune 13-1.2% that day

   The S&P 500 fell 8% from its May high.
4. 4
   The Fed's seventeenth and final hike, to 5.25%June 29+2.0% that day
5. 5
   Dow closes above its January 2000 recordOctober 3+0.2% that day

   The first new high in almost seven years.

• Deepest fall -7.6% (May 9 → June 13)
• Best day +2.1% (June 15)
• Worst day -1.9% (May 17)
• $10,000 at the start of 2006 → $89,514 as of August 28, 2026 (+11.2%/yr over 20.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 4.3% in 2005 with dividends reinvested (+3.0% in price alone) — the 23rd best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 120.87 at the close of December 31, 2004 to 124.51 on December 30, 2005, over 252 trading days (137 up, 112 down). It spent 115 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   GM and Ford downgraded to junkMay 5-0.0% that day
2. 2
   Hurricane Katrina makes landfallAugust 29+0.8% that day

   Oil briefly topped $70.
3. 3
   Bernanke nominated to succeed GreenspanOctober 24+1.5% that day
4. 4
   Fed's thirteenth straight hike, to 4.25%December 13+0.7% that day

• Deepest fall -7.0% (March 7 → April 20)
• Best day +1.9% (April 21)
• Worst day -1.8% (October 20)
• $10,000 at the start of 2005 → $93,341 as of August 28, 2026 (+10.9%/yr over 21.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 10.7% in 2004 with dividends reinvested (+8.6% in price alone) — the 21st best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 111.28 at the close of December 31, 2003 to 120.87 on December 31, 2004, over 252 trading days (142 up, 107 down). It spent 43 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Madrid train bombingsMarch 11-1.3% that day

   The S&P 500's sharpest fall of the spring.
2. 2
   The Fed starts hiking, to 1.25%June 30+0.5% that day

   The first of seventeen quarter-point moves over two years.
3. 3
   Google IPOAugust 19-0.3% that day
4. 4
   Oil tops $55 a barrelOctober 25-0.1% that day

   A record at the time.
5. 5
   Bush re-electedNovember 2+0.0% that day

   The rally that followed carried the index to its best close since 2001.

• Deepest fall -7.5% (March 5 → August 6)
• Best day +1.7% (October 1)
• Worst day -1.8% (July 21)
• $10,000 at the start of 2004 → $103,325 as of August 28, 2026 (+10.9%/yr over 22.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 28.2% in 2003 with dividends reinvested (+26.1% in price alone) — the 7th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 88.23 at the close of December 31, 2002 to 111.28 on December 31, 2003, over 252 trading days (142 up, 108 down). It spent 51 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Pre-war lowMarch 11-1.0% that day

   The S&P 500 closed at 801, retesting the October 2002 bottom.
2. 2
   US-led invasion of Iraq beginsMarch 20+0.2% that day

   Stocks had begun rallying the week before.
3. 3
   Dividend and capital-gains tax cut signedMay 28+0.3% that day

   Both rates fell to 15%.
4. 4
   Fed cuts to 1%June 25-1.0% that day

   The lowest policy rate since 1958.
5. 5
   Saddam Hussein capturedDecember 14-0.5% next session

• Deepest fall -13.7% (January 14 → March 11)
• Best day +3.5% (March 13)
• Worst day -3.3% (March 24)
• $10,000 at the start of 2003 → $132,445 as of August 28, 2026 (+11.5%/yr over 23.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 lost 21.6% in 2002 with dividends reinvested (-22.8% in price alone) — the 31st best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 114.30 at the close of December 31, 2001 to 88.23 on December 31, 2002, over 252 trading days (120 up, 132 down).

1. 1
   WorldCom discloses a $3.8bn accounting fraudJune 25-2.2% that day

   It filed for bankruptcy on July 21, then the largest in US history.
2. 2
   S&P 500 closes at 798July 23-2.7% that day

   The July capitulation low after a 20% fall in two months.
3. 3
   Sarbanes–Oxley Act signedJuly 30+1.3% that day
4. 4
   Bear-market low: S&P 500 at 777October 9-2.8% that day

   Down 49% from the March 2000 peak.
5. 5
   Fed cuts 50 basis points to 1.25%November 6+1.3% that day

• Deepest fall -33.0% (March 19 → October 9)
• Best day +6.0% (July 24)
• Worst day -3.8% (September 3)
• $10,000 at the start of 2002 → $103,857 as of August 28, 2026 (+10.0%/yr over 24.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 lost 11.8% in 2001 with dividends reinvested (-12.9% in price alone) — the 29th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 131.19 at the close of December 29, 2000 to 114.30 on December 31, 2001, over 248 trading days (125 up, 123 down).

1. 1
   Surprise 50-basis-point Fed cutJanuary 3+4.8% that day

   The Nasdaq jumped 14% in a day, its biggest gain ever.
2. 2
   September 11 attacksSeptember 11-5.2% next session

   US markets closed for four sessions, the longest shutdown since 1933.
3. 3
   Markets reopenSeptember 17-5.2% that day

   The Dow fell 684 points, then its largest one-day point drop.
4. 4
   Post-attack lowSeptember 21-1.1% that day

   The S&P 500 closed at 966, down 12% on the week.
5. 5
   Enron files for bankruptcyDecember 2-0.6% next session
6. 6
   The Fed's eleventh cut of the year, to 1.75%December 11-0.2% that day

• Deepest fall -28.8% (February 1 → September 21)
• Best day +4.8% (January 3)
• Worst day -5.2% (September 17)
• $10,000 at the start of 2001 → $91,645 as of August 28, 2026 (+9.0%/yr over 25.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 lost 9.7% in 2000 with dividends reinvested (-10.7% in price alone) — the 28th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 146.88 at the close of December 31, 1999 to 131.19 on December 29, 2000, over 252 trading days (122 up, 130 down).

1. 1
   AOL agrees to buy Time WarnerJanuary 10+0.3% that day

   The peak deal of the dot-com era.
2. 2
   Nasdaq peaks at 5,048March 10-0.5% that day
3. 3
   S&P 500 record close of 1,527March 24+0.6% that day

   The top of the dot-com bull market; it would not be seen again until 2007.
4. 4
   Nasdaq falls 9.7% in a dayApril 14-5.7% that day

   The S&P 500 lost 5.8%; the worst week for stocks since 1987.
5. 5
   Fed hikes 50 basis points to 6.5%May 16+1.0% that day

   The last hike of the cycle.
6. 6
   Election day — with no resultNovember 7-0.0% that day

   The Bush–Gore recount left the outcome unknown for five weeks.
7. 7
   Supreme Court ends the recountDecember 12-0.4% that day

• Deepest fall -17.1% (March 24 → December 20)
• Best day +5.8% (January 7)
• Worst day -5.7% (April 14)
• $10,000 at the start of 2000 → $82,718 as of August 28, 2026 (+8.2%/yr over 26.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 20.4% in 1999 with dividends reinvested (+19.1% in price alone) — the 13th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 123.31 at the close of December 31, 1998 to 146.88 on December 31, 1999, over 252 trading days (128 up, 124 down). It spent 9 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   The euro's first trading dayJanuary 4-0.2% that day
2. 2
   Dow closes above 10,000 for the first timeMarch 29+2.0% that day
3. 3
   The Fed begins raising rates againJune 30+1.8% that day

   The first of three hikes in 1999 as the economy ran hot.
4. 4
   Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act signedNovember 12+0.9% that day

   Repealed the Glass–Steagall separation of commercial and investment banking.
5. 5
   Y2K rolloverDecember 31+0.2% that day

   The Nasdaq finished 1999 up 86%, its best year ever.

• Deepest fall -11.7% (July 16 → October 15)
• Best day +3.4% (October 28)
• Worst day -2.9% (March 23)
• $10,000 at the start of 1999 → $99,583 as of August 28, 2026 (+8.7%/yr over 27.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 28.7% in 1998 with dividends reinvested (+27.0% in price alone) — the 6th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 97.06 at the close of December 31, 1997 to 123.31 on December 31, 1998, over 252 trading days (131 up, 115 down). It spent 15 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Russia defaults and devalues the rubleAugust 17+2.1% that day
2. 2
   Dow falls 512 pointsAugust 31-7.1% that day

   The S&P 500's worst day of the year as the Russia crisis spread.
3. 3
   The New York Fed organises the LTCM rescueSeptember 23+4.0% that day

   Long-Term Capital Management, a hedge fund with $100bn+ of positions, is recapitalised by its banks.
4. 4
   First of three Fed cuts in seven weeksSeptember 29-0.2% that day
5. 5
   Surprise inter-meeting Fed cutOctober 15+5.4% that day

   Announced after the close; the rally that followed carried the index to new highs by November.

• Deepest fall -19.0% (July 17 → August 31)
• Best day +5.4% (October 15)
• Worst day -7.1% (August 31)
• $10,000 at the start of 1998 → $128,156 as of August 28, 2026 (+9.3%/yr over 28.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 33.5% in 1997 with dividends reinvested (+31.4% in price alone) — the 2nd best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 73.84 at the close of December 31, 1996 to 97.06 on December 31, 1997, over 253 trading days (139 up, 112 down). It spent 1 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   The Fed's only hike of the year, to 5.5%March 25-1.0% that day
2. 2
   Thailand floats the bahtJuly 2+1.6% that day

   The start of the Asian financial crisis.
3. 3
   Dow drops 554 points; trading haltedOctober 27-7.2% that day

   The NYSE's circuit breakers triggered for the first time.
4. 4
   Record rebound the next dayOctober 28+5.8% that day

   The Dow gained 337 points, then its largest point gain ever.

• Deepest fall -11.2% (October 7 → October 27)
• Best day +5.8% (October 28)
• Worst day -7.2% (October 27)
• $10,000 at the start of 1997 → $171,056 as of August 28, 2026 (+10.0%/yr over 29.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 22.5% in 1996 with dividends reinvested (+20.1% in price alone) — the 11th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 61.48 at the close of December 29, 1995 to 73.84 on December 31, 1996, over 254 trading days (135 up, 115 down). It spent 11 of them below where it started.

1. 1
   Fed cuts to 5.25%January 31+1.0% that day

   The last cut for more than two years.
2. 2
   Yahoo IPOApril 12+1.3% that day
3. 3
   Mid-July tech selloffJuly 16+0.2% that day

   The Dow fell 161 points intraday before recovering; the year's sharpest scare.
4. 4
   Clinton re-electedNovember 5+0.6% that day
5. 5
   Greenspan's “irrational exuberance” speechDecember 5-0.3% that day

   Global markets fell the next morning; the S&P 500 finished the year up anyway.

• Deepest fall -7.6% (May 22 → July 15)
• Best day +2.2% (August 2)
• Worst day -3.2% (March 8)
• $10,000 at the start of 1996 → $209,540 as of August 28, 2026 (+10.4%/yr over 30.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 gained 37.3% in 1995 with dividends reinvested (+34.9% in price alone) — the best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 45.56 at the close of December 30, 1994 to 61.48 on December 29, 1995, over 252 trading days (146 up, 99 down).

1. 1
   The Fed's last hike of the cycle, to 6%February 1-0.0% that day

   The soft landing takes shape; stocks rally almost without pause for the rest of the year.
2. 2
   First Fed rate cut since 1992July 6+1.3% that day
3. 3
   Netscape IPOAugust 9-0.0% that day

   Shares more than doubled on day one — the opening bell of the internet boom.
4. 4
   Windows 95 launchesAugust 24+0.1% that day
5. 5
   Fed cuts again, to 5.5%December 19+1.1% that day

• Deepest fall -2.6% (December 13 → December 18)
• Best day +2.1% (May 31)
• Worst day -1.9% (December 18)
• $10,000 at the start of 1995 → $287,713 as of August 28, 2026 (+11.2%/yr over 31.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →

The S&P 500 lost 2.2% in 1994 with dividends reinvested (-2.2% in price alone) — the 26th best of 32 years since 1994. SPY went from 46.59 at the close of December 31, 1993 to 45.56 on December 30, 1994, over 252 trading days (126 up, 116 down).

1. 1
   The Fed starts raising ratesFebruary 4-2.3% that day

   The first of seven hikes in a year; bonds sold off hard in what traders called the bond massacre.
2. 2
   Fed hikes 75 basis points to 5.5%November 15-0.3% that day

   The largest single move of the cycle.
3. 3
   Orange County, California files for bankruptcyDecember 6+0.1% that day

   Losses on leveraged interest-rate bets in the county's investment pool.
4. 4
   Mexico devalues the pesoDecember 20-0.3% that day

   The start of the Tequila crisis and a US-led rescue package.

• Deepest fall -9.1% (February 2 → April 4)
• Best day +2.1% (October 28)
• Worst day -2.3% (February 4)
• $10,000 at the start of 1994 → $281,345 as of August 28, 2026 (+10.8%/yr over 32.7 yrs) any amount, any dates →