According to Birinyi Associates, since the end of World War II in 1945, the Dow Industrials has suffered through 13 bear markets (defined as declines of 20% or more from a high). The average performance during those bear markets is a decline of about 28%.

After taking into account Monday’s plunge, the Dow Industrials is now down 27% from its October 2007 high. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite have fared a bit worse, declining 29% and 31% from their respective highs last October. Take a look at how some of the other major U.S. indices and sectors have performed since their 52-week high (including Monday’s fall):It's been a rough twelve months.  The Dow and S&P are looking to have their 4th straight quarter of declines, something not seen in years.  Here is a preview of the quarter end stats and the winners and losers to date.

Major U.S Indices:    % from 52-Wk. High  Date of High

• Dow Industrials       -27%                  October 2007
• Dow Transports      -18%                  May 2008
• Dow Utilities           -23%                  January 2008
• S&P 500                -29%                  October 2007
• Nasdaq Composite   -31%                  October 2007
• Russell 2000           -22%                  October 2007

S&P 500 Sectors:            

• Financials                      -50%          October 2007
• Telecom                        -37%          October 2007
• Technology                    -33%          October 2007
• Materials                       -32%          May 2008
• Energy                          -31%          May 2008
• Industrials                     -31%          October 2007
• Consumer Discretionary    -29%          October 2007
• Utilities                         -26%          December 2007
• Healthcare                    -20%           December 2007
• Consumer Staples           -9%           December 2007

Major Sector Indices :               

• Airlines               -57%           October 2007       
• Brokers               -54%           October 2007
• Insurance            -53%           October 2007
• Banks                 -47%            October 2007
• Healthcare          -42%             January 2008
• Semis                 -42%             October 2007
• Natural Gas         -38%             July 2008
• Oil Services         -38%             July 2008
• Gold Stocks         -37%             March 2008
• Oil Stocks           -33%             May 2008
• Cyclicals             -31%             October 2007
• Retailers             -30%             October 2007
• Housing              -27%             October 2007
• REITs                 -26%             October 2007
• Defense              -21%             October 2007
• Drugs                -21%               December 2007
• Consumer           -16%              December 2007
• Biotech              -14%              August 2008

International Indices have not fared much better since their 52-week highs:     

Major Intl' Indices (America):      

• Brazil              -37%                 May 2008
• Mexico            -27%                 October 2007
• Canada           -25%                 June 2008

Europe                      

• Russia            -52%                   May 2008
• France            -33%                  October 2007
• U.K                 -28%                  October 2007
• Germany         -28%                   December 2007

Asia Pacific                     

• China              -62%                October 2007        
• Hong Kong       -45%                October 2007
• India              -40%                January 2008
• Taiwan            -43%               October 2007
• Singapore        -41%                October 2007
• Japan              -36%               October 2007
• Thailand           -34%               November 2007
• Australia           -32%              November 2007
• Malaysia           -34%              January 2008
• South Korea      -31%              November 2007

Comments?  Send them to

bythenumbers.cnbc.com

Tools:

PrintEmail

Back to Main Page