TAKING STOCK

1861

A group of businessmen gather at the Masonic Hall to create the Toronto Stock Exchange. With only 18 securities listed, trading takes place in half-hour sessions. The local bars must have been busy.

1914

The First World War causes financial panic, and the TSX shuts down for three months.

1932

With the global depression in full force, the TSX falls to its lowest point ever, 64.20. Easing the pain somewhat, the Toronto Maple Leafs win their first Stanley Cup that year.

1987

On Oct. 19, what became known as Black Monday, stock markets around the world inexplicably crash, with the TSX losing 11 per cent of its total value. In November, Less than Zero hits movie theatres. Its title may have referred to the net worth of many investors’ portfolios.

1997

Based on false reports of gold from its Indonesian mines, TSX darling Bre-X loses six billion dollars in value, a geologist falls (or is he pushed?) from a helicopter, the top brass flees to the Bahamas and investors lose millions.

2008

The global recession causes the TSX to have one of its worst years, losing 35 per cent ($700 billion) in value. Since then, it’s rallied to premeltdown highs.