BacktestFolio · Glossary
High-water mark
In plain language
If the portfolio hit €130,000 in March and then fell to €110,000, the high-water mark is €130,000: the drawdown is −15% from that peak. Only when the portfolio rises back above €130,000 does the drawdown end and a new high-water mark form. In BacktestFolio the 'Peak Value' column in the Top 10 Drawdowns table shows the high-water mark for each episode.
Technical definition
The highest historical value reached by the portfolio at any given moment; the reference level from which the current drawdown is measured. The portfolio is technically in drawdown until its value exceeds the previous high-water mark.