How Often does the S&P 500 Index Drop More Than 10%, 20% or 30% Over the Last 30 Years?

There have been many black Mondays. When I am seeing a good S&P 500 index return, suddenly there is a decline. In order to be mentally prepared, I put together 30-year worth of S&P 500 index monthly closing values to see how often it drops more than 10%, 20% or 30%.

Times When the S&P 500 Index Drops More Than 10%

The S&P 500 index dropped more than 10% twelve times over the last 30 years. On average , there is a decline bigger than 10% every 30 months.

No	Date	High	Low	Percent Change
1	Dec, 2019	3413.93	2721.57	-20.3%
2	Sep, 2018	3135.44	2709.90	-13.6%
3	FEB, 2015	2437.01	2192.67	-10.0%
4	Apr, 2011	1647.24	1354.31	-17.8%
5	Apr, 2010	1478.62	1285.30	-13.1%
6	Oct, 2007	2014.19	940.92	-53.3%
7	Nov, 2002	1403.53	1248.27	-11.1%
8	Mar, 2002	1744.03	1223.74	-29.8%
9	May, 2001	1920.15	1586.39	-17.4%
10	Jan, 2001	2120.05	1789.23	-15.6%
11	Aug, 2000	2469.87	2123.64	-14.0%
12	Jun, 1998	1890.11	1591.96	-15.8%

Times When the S&P 500 Index Drops More Than 20%

The S&P 500 index dropped more than 20% three times over the last 30 years. On average , there is a decline bigger than 10% every 10 years.

No	Date	High	Low	Percent Change
1	Dec, 2019	3413.93	2721.57	-20.3%
2	Oct, 2007	2014.19	940.92	-53.3%
3	Mar, 2002	1744.03	1223.74	-29.8%

Times When the S&P 500 Index Drops More Than 30%

The S&P 500 index dropped more than 30% twice over the last 30 years.

No	Date	High	Low	Percent Change
1	Oct, 2007	2014.19	940.92	-53.3%
2	Aug, 2000	2469.87	1266.13	-48.7%

Interesting?

What is interesting is that during the 2000 recession, there had been 4 market rebounds before the S&P 500 index hit the bottom with accumulated loss of 48.7%. It must have been terrifying for those who tried to pick up the knife when it just dropped.