Price breaking out to a new 52-week high accompanied by significant volume expansion (1.5x average), signaling institutional participation.
The 252-day high filter requires the current close to exceed every closing price over the past 252 sessions — one full trading year. This is not merely a new high for the week or month; a 252-day high means the stock has cleared multi-month overhead supply and is in uncharted territory. Volume above 1.5x the 20-period average is a stricter threshold than most screens use; it requires volume to be 50% above baseline, not merely elevated. The combination eliminates most false breakouts: a new annual high on below-average volume often fails, while the same high on heavy volume tends to be driven by institutional buying and sustains further.
New annual highs on strong volume are among the most reliable momentum signals in market history — price tends to continue in the direction of least resistance when institutional participation is evident. The critical failure mode is a breakout into prior all-time highs or a major macro resistance zone: price can make a 52-week high but immediately stall at an older multi-year supply level. A second common failure is the "volume exhaustion" breakout: extreme volume on the breakout day followed by sharply declining volume, suggesting the buying climax rather than the beginning of a new leg. Also watch for broad market conditions — a 52-week high on a day the S&P 500 drops 2% is a different signal than the same high on a calm or rising market. Compare to Near 52-Week High for stocks approaching but not yet at the breakout level. New 52-Week High focuses on the close-above condition without the volume filter.
Educational references. Videos may not match this screen's exact filters.
This screen finds stocks making a new 52-week high on significantly elevated volume — at least 1.5x the 20-day average. Closing above the 252-session high means price is at its strongest point in a full year; the volume requirement confirms the move has institutional participation rather than thin-market drift. Currently 0 stocks match, reflecting the rarity of this dual condition during the scan period. Momentum traders and trend followers use this as a high-conviction entry signal. Search phrases: 52-week high breakout high volume, annual high with volume confirmation, strong momentum stock screener.