Nice chart. Looks like there is still a lot of upside on it. Of course, I am a trend follower. Good call.
Here is a backtest for the 52-week high system. https://seekingalpha.com/article/4073138-trade-52-week-highs-and-avoid-52-week-lows (From the article : "One would expect that stocks making new highs might deliver market excess returns...While this system does deliver positive returns, as opposed to the 52-week low system, it still under-performs the market.") Bottom line, never take any trading idea for granted, test it first.
The 52 week high, I use as one of the criteria when I screen for stocks to trade on the long side. There are other criteria I used to tighten the screen further and cut the number of stocks under consideration. Depending on the various criteria, you will get different results. Trend following still works. Of course, I have no intention of disclosing the other criteria I use for my screens.
Yes, and it has been working for the last 800 years, since traders/merchants started to compile data on different markets, starting with the price of commodities. (Those interested can read: "Trend Following: How Great Traders Make Millions in Up or Down Markets" and "Trend Following: How to Make a Fortune in Bull, Bear, and Black Swan Markets" by Michael Covel, both classic bestsellers.)