The 52-week high and low are the highest and lowest prices at which a security has traded over the past year. Together they frame the recent range, showing at a glance whether today's price sits near the top, the bottom, or somewhere in the middle of where the market has valued it lately.
The figures are context, not a forecast. A price near its 52-week high is not automatically "expensive" and one near its low is not automatically "cheap" — both can keep moving in the same direction. The range describes where the asset has been, not where it is going.
Investors often watch these levels because other traders do, which can make them act as informal areas of support or resistance. That is a behavioural effect, not a guarantee, and it can break at any time.
Worked example
A stock at $90 with a 52-week range of $60 to $100 is sitting in the upper third of where it has traded all year.
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This definition is general education, not investment advice. Markets — especially crypto — are volatile and you can lose money. Please read our disclaimer and see our methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
What does 52-week high / low mean?
The highest and lowest price a security has traded at over the past year. It frames where the current price sits within its recent range, but says nothing about where it will go next.
Is 52-week high / low a crypto or a stock-market term?
It is primarily an equities and stock-market term.
Is this 52-week high / low definition financial advice?
No. The Market Capitalize glossary is educational — it explains terms and concepts, never a recommendation to buy or sell. See our disclaimer.