What is a Higher Low (HL)?

Higher Low (HL)
Forex Trading Glossary

Quick Answer: A higher low appears when a pullback bottoms above the previous low, reinforcing bullish structure and providing logical stop locations.

What is a Higher Low (HL)?

A higher low forms when a pullback stops above the previous low in an uptrend. It shows buyers stepping in sooner, reinforcing bullish structure.

Role of Higher Lows

  • Structure definition: Higher highs plus higher lows confirm trend progression.
  • Risk anchor: Higher lows give logical locations for protective stops.
  • Accumulation signal: Shrinking pullbacks hint at demand overwhelming supply.

Patience Pays

Wait for confirmation that the pullback has ended—such as bullish candles or volume returning—before labeling a level a true higher low.

Trading with Higher Lows

  • Use higher lows to draw trendlines that visualize channel support.
  • Scale into positions when price retests a prior higher low and holds.
  • Measure distance between lows to gauge trend acceleration or fatigue.
  • Re-evaluate bias if price closes below the latest higher low—structure may be shifting.

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