Friday, October 3, 2008 wrapped up the worst performing week of the year for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) as well as every other major market index.  For the week, the Dow Jones Index lost 7.34%, completely overshadowing the next worst losing week of 4.40%, which occurred the first full week of February.  Of the 40 weeks that have ended so far this year, the DJIA has produced a negative return in 24 weeks or 60% of the time.  Calculating a simple average of the 40 weeks, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost 0.61% each week for the year.  Cumulatively, the well known index has lost 22.16% for the year.

In the chart below, I have listed the 10 worst weeks of the year for the Dow Jones Industrial Average so far this year.  Later this weekend, I will post the 10 worst weeks of the year for the other major stock market averages.   I would like to be able to give you statistics on how well the stock market has done, but unfortunately, positive weeks have been few and far between.  In fact, the last time this year the Dow Jones Index had two consecutive positive weeks was at the end of April.  The last 16 weeks have been especially bad, producing only 3 positive weeks sprinkled in with 13 losing weeks.

Week Ending	Close of Previous Week	Close of Current Week	Net Loss	% Loss
Oct. 3, 2008	11,143.13	10,325.38	-817.75	-7.34%
Feb. 8, 2008	12,743.19	12,182.13	-561.06	-4.40%
Jan. 4, 2008	13,365.87	12,800.18	-565.69	-4.23%
Jun. 27, 2008	11,842.69	11,346.51	-496.18	-4.19%
Jan. 18, 2008	12,606.30	12,099.30	-507.00	-4.02%
May 23, 2008	12,986.80	12,479.63	-507.17	-3.91%
Jun. 20, 2008	12,307.35	11,842.69	-464.66	-3.78%
Jun. 6, 2008	12,638.32	12,209.81	-428.51	-3.39%
Mar. 7, 2008	12,266.39	11,893.69	-372.70	-3.04%
Sept. 5, 2008	11,543.96	11,220.96	-323.00	-2.80%