The New Highs/Lows Ratio ("NH/NL Ratio") displays
the daily ratio between the number of stocks reaching new 52-week highs
and the number of stocks reaching new 52-week lows.
Interpretation
The NH/NL Ratio is another useful method to
visualize the relationship of stocks that are making new highs and new
lows. High readings indicate that a large number of stocks are making
new highs (compared to the number of stocks making new lows). Readings
less than one indicate that the number of stocks making new highs are
less than the number of stocks making lows.
Refer to the New Highs-New Lows indicator for more
information on interpreting the NH/NL Ratio.
Example
The following chart shows the S&P 500 and the NH/NL
Ratio.
The Ratio increased dramatically when the S&P 500
began making new highs in 1990. However, as the S&P has continued to
move on to new highs, the Ratio has failed to reach new highs. This
implies that the S&P 500 is weaker than it appears.