Dow Jones: What If You Had Invested?

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)'s all-time low (ATL) was $1,242.05 on May 1, 1985. The all-time high (ATH) was $50,188.15 on Feb 10, 2026.

Buying Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) at the best price ($1,242.05 on May 1, 1985) and selling at the peak ($50,188.15 on Feb 10, 2026) would have turned $1,000 into $40,407.51. Historical return: +3,940.75% (40.4 times).

The best buy date for Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was May 1, 1985 at $1,242.05. The best sell date was Feb 10, 2026 at $50,188.15. This investment would have returned +3,940.75% (40.4 times).

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)'s worst decline was 53.78% (fell to 46% of peak) from peak to trough. Peak: $14,164.53 on Oct 9, 2007. Trough: $6,547.05 on Mar 9, 2009. A $1,000 investment at the peak would have been worth $462.21 at the trough.

A $1,000 investment in Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) at inception ($1,292.62 on Jan 29, 1985) would be worth $38,138.25 today. Historical return: +3,713.82% (38.1 times). Latest closing level: $49,298.26 as of May 5, 2026.

A $1,000 investment in Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) 5 years ago ($34,230.34 on May 5, 2021) would be worth $1,440.19 today. Historical return: +44.02% (1.44 times). Latest closing level: $49,298.26 as of May 5, 2026.

A $1,000 investment in Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) 10 years ago ($17,660.71 on May 5, 2016) would be worth $2,791.41 today. Historical return: +179.14% (2.79 times). Latest closing level: $49,298.26 as of May 5, 2026.

A $1,000 investment in Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) 20 years ago ($11,577.74 on May 5, 2006) would be worth $4,258.02 today. Historical return: +325.80% (4.25 times). Latest closing level: $49,298.26 as of May 5, 2026.

We use daily end-of-day closing prices. The return reflects price change. Units bought = investment ÷ price on start date. Current value = units × latest price.

Compound Annual Growth Rate measures the average annual return over the holding period, accounting for compounding.