What is a drawdown?

A drawdown signifies the extent to which an investment or trading account decreases from its highest point before it rebounds to that peak level again. This metric is often expressed as a percentage and serves as a measure of downside volatility in the financial markets.

It's important to note that drawdowns aren't solely about the decline in value; rather, they indicate the extent of a decrease relative to the highest point before recovery. This distinction is crucial because drawdowns reflect the depth of a downturn from a peak to its lowest point before a potential rebound.

Understanding the duration required for a drawdown to recover is also significant when evaluating this metric. The time taken to return to the previous peak level can vary and is a crucial factor in assessing the impact of drawdowns on investment performance.

It's important to differentiate between drawdown and loss. Drawdown typically measures the high-to-low trajectory, representing the decrease from the peak, while losses usually refer to the difference between the purchase price and the current or exit price of an asset or investment.

Monitoring drawdowns is vital for investors and traders as it offers insights into the risk associated with an investment strategy or portfolio. By comprehending the depth and duration of drawdowns, individuals can better gauge the potential risks and manage their investment decisions accordingly to navigate market fluctuations more effectively.