By the Numbers

Steep losses from Highs

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

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