What is a Record High?
A record high is the highest price a security achieves in a given time period.
How Does a Record High Work?
Let's look at this random chart for Cisco Systems (CSCO). note the jagged line, which reflects the stock price. For this period, the record high is approximately $82. Note that a record can relate to a year, a month, a week, or even just one trading day, so it is important to understand the period of time to which a record corresponds.
Why Does a Record High Matter?
Record highs usually correspond with good news about and more interest in a company. Additionally, they often trigger considerable buying volume, which can drive a stock price even higher. Accordingly, many traders are keenly aware of which stocks are approaching record highs.