Max Drawdown

Max drawdown is an indicator of the risk of a portfolio chosen based on a certain strategy. It measures the largest single drop from peak to bottom in the value of a portfolio before a new peak is achieved.

For example if a portfolio starts being worth $100,000, increases in value to $150,000, decreases to $90,000, increases to $120,000, then decreases to $80,000, then increases to $200,000, the max drawdown is ($150,000-$80,000)/$150,000 = 46.67%

Note that the highest peak of $200,000 is not included in the calculation because the drawdown began at a peak of $150,000. Also note that the increase to $120,000 before the drop to $80,000 has no effect on the drawdown, because $120,000 was not a new peak.

Max Drawdown = (Peak value before largest drop - Lowest value before new high established) / (Peak value before largest drop)

*Max drawdown adjusts for dividends using the total return value.