The All Ordinaries Index, commonly known as the All Ords, was established in January 1980. It tracks the performance of the 500 largest companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) based on market capitalisation. Representing over 95% of the total value of all ASX-listed shares, the All Ords serves as a comprehensive benchmark of the Australian equities market.
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- What is the highest All Ords ever recorded?
- What do All Ords mean?
- What is the average return of the All Ordinaries?
- What is the XAO accumulation index?
- What is the highest selling stock in history?
- How to buy shares in Australia?
A Brief History of the All Ords
When first introduced, the All Ords was assigned a base level of 500 points. This means that if the index sits at 5,000 points today, the overall market value of those top 500 companies has grown tenfold since 1980.
Key Milestones:
- March 2009: The index hit a low of 3,111.7 points due to the global financial crisis.
- November 2017: Reached 6,005.50, crossing the 6,000 mark for the first time since 2008.
- January 2020: Surpassed 7,000 points.
- March 2024: Broke the 8,000-point barrier.
- December 2024: Hit a record intra-day high of 8,771.30 and a record close of 8,784.70.
While newer indices like the S&P/ASX 200 have gained prominence in recent years, the All Ords still remains a widely referenced gauge of the Australian market’s overall performance.
All Ordinaries Annual Returns: A Look Back in Time
The All Ords has experienced both highs and lows over the decades. For example:
- 1983 saw a massive gain of +59.72%
- 2008, during the Global Financial Crisis, saw a −43.01% drop
- 2009 bounced back with a +33.43% gain
In recent years, the index has continued to grow steadily:
- 2021: +13.56%
- 2023: +8.33%
- 2024: On track to break new records
These fluctuations demonstrate how the index responds to both global economic events and domestic market dynamics.
How Does the All Ords Compare to Other ASX Indices?
While the S&P/ASX 200 and S&P/ASX 300 are more widely used today for fund tracking and institutional investing, the All Ords remains a solid, historical benchmark that provides broader market coverage.
- All Ords (XAO): 500 companies
- ASX 200: Top 200 companies
- ASX 300: Top 300 companies
For long-term investors, the All Ords offers a more diversified view of the Australian stock market.