Peak to Trough
Peak to trough is the specific measurement period used to calculate the drawdown of an investment, starting from the highest value achieved and ending at the lowest point before the value recovers. This period captures the full duration of a negative market cycle for a specific asset or strategy.
Analyzing the length and depth of this interval helps investors understand the duration of their capital exposure to loss. In the crypto market, peak to trough periods can be exceptionally long, lasting months or years, which tests the patience and liquidity of investors.
It is a foundational concept for measuring historical performance and setting expectations for future recovery times. Understanding this cycle is vital for avoiding panic selling during periods of extended negative returns.