The stock market on October 2, 1981
October 2, 1981, a Friday. The S&P 500 rose 1.95% to close at 119.36. Of 4,998 US stocks that traded, 2,648 rose and 575 fell.
The S&P 500+1.95%closed at 119.36
How big a move#1,773of 24,799 trading days since 1928
$100 in the index since$6,455price only, to September 24, 2026
Stocks that rose2,648of 4,998; 575 fell
Biggest companyAT&T Corporationby market value that day
Biggest rises among the 500 largest companies
| Unocal Corporation (UCL) | +9.5% |
| Harbinger Group Inc (HRG) | +9.4% |
| Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (HP) | +9.1% |
Biggest falls among the 500 largest companies
| Crocker National Corp-Old (CKN) | -17.3% |
| Genstar Corp (GST) | -5.2% |
| Merck (MRK) | -3.5% |
Stock moves count dividends; the index is price only. Market values after 2024 are estimates.
‹ October 1, 1981 · Every October 2 · October 5, 1981 ›
Ask the Lab what came after a day like thisHistory, not advice. How these numbers are made.