Stop-Limit Order: What it is in Stocks
● A stop-limit order is a type of order to buy or sell a stock once it reaches a specified stop price, at which point a limit order is placed. This ensures that trades are executed at a specific price or better, providing greater control over execution.
● Stop-limit orders can help investors manage risk and protect unrealized gains. They are particularly useful in volatile markets, allowing traders to set conditions for entry or exit based on price movements without having to monitor the market continuously.
A stop limit order combines features of stop orders and limit orders, enabling traders to set specific conditions for buying or selling stocks. The stop price is the predetermined price at which the order is activated. The limit price is the maximum or minimum price at which the order can be executed, ensuring that, if executed, trades occur only within desired price ranges. A limit offset allows for a buffer between the stop price and the limit price, providing flexibility in execution under certain market conditions.
What are limit orders?
Limit orders are instructions to buy or sell a stock at a specific price or better. For buying, the limit order is executed only at the limit price or lower, while for selling, it’s executed at the limit price or higher. This type of order provides more control over the execution price, helping investors avoid unfavorable trades, meaning trades that happen at a worse price than they wanted. For example, with a market order, a buy might execute at a higher price than expected, or a sell might execute at a lower price. However, with a limit order, there’s no guarantee the order will be filled if the market price doesn’t reach the limit price, or if there are other orders ahead of yours, which can lead to missed trading opportunities.
What are stop orders?
Stop orders, also known as stop-loss orders, are designed to trigger a market order once the stock reaches a predetermined stop price. Unlike limit orders, stop orders do not specify a price for execution; instead, they turn into market orders when the stop price is hit. This can help investors limit losses or protect unrealized gains by selling stocks automatically when they fall to a certain level. However, because these orders are executed at market prices, there may be slippage, causing the order to fill at a less favorable price than expected.
How stop limit orders work: step-by-step
Setting the stop price: The investor determines the stop price where they want the order to activate. This is typically below the current market price for a sell stop-limit order or above for a buy stop-limit order.
Establishing the limit price: Once the stop price is reached, the limit order is placed with a limit price, ensuring that, if executed, the execution occurs at this price or better.
Order activation: When the stock reaches the stop price, the limit order is activated and sent to the market.
Execution: The order will only be filled at the limit price or better, allowing for controlled execution even in volatile markets.
Example of a stop-limit order
For instance, if a trader owns shares of a stock currently priced at $100 and sets a stop price at $95 with a limit price of $94, if the stock price falls to $95, a limit order will be triggered to sell at $94 or higher. However, if the stock price drops below $94, the order will not execute immediately. This can be a downside because the stock may continue to fall and never rebound to $94, leaving the trader with unsold shares as the price declines further. While a stop-limit order protects against selling at a much lower price than desired, it also carries the risk of the order not being executed if the price moves too quickly and falls past the limit price.
Do stop-limit orders work only during market hours?
Stop-limit orders can be placed during both regular and extended trading hours, depending on the brokerage platform. Some platforms allow limit orders to execute in extended-hours trading if the stop price is triggered during that time. However, execution still depends on market conditions and liquidity. If the stop price is reached in extended hours but there isn't enough trading activity to match your limit price, the order may remain unfilled until the regular market hours resume. Always check your platform’s policies for extended-hours trading to understand how your orders will be handled.
When do stop-limit orders expire?
Stop-limit orders typically expire at the end of the trading day unless specified as good-till-canceled (GTC) orders. GTC orders remain active until they are either executed or canceled by the trader, allowing for greater flexibility in managing open orders across multiple trading sessions.
What does it mean to partially fill an order?
A partially-filled order occurs when only a portion of the total order quantity is executed at the specified price. This can happen in markets with low liquidity or during significant price movements. The remaining unfilled portion of the order will typically remain active unless canceled or until the order expires.
What is slippage?
Slippage refers to the difference between the expected price of a trade and the actual executed price. It often occurs during periods of high volatility or low liquidity, leading to less favorable execution prices. While slippage can affect market orders significantly, it can also impact stop orders, including stop-limit orders, when market conditions change rapidly.
Pros and cons of stop-limit orders
Pros | Cons |
Greater control over execution prices | No guarantee of order execution |
Can limit potential losses | May miss opportunities in volatile markets |
Can protect unrealized gains | Complexity can confuse new investors |
Flexibility in setting parameters | Requires careful monitoring of conditions |
Differences between stop-limit vs. stop-loss orders
Stop-limit orders and stop-loss orders serve different purposes. A stop-loss order automatically triggers a market order to minimize losses when the stock price falls to a certain level, ensuring execution. In contrast, a stop-limit order activates a limit order at the stop price, allowing for more control over the execution price but introducing the risk of not being filled.
Example of a stop-loss order
For example, if a stock is currently priced at $80 and an investor sets a stop-loss order at $75, if the stock falls to $75, a market order will be triggered to sell. However, in a stop-limit order scenario, the investor might set a stop price at $75 and a limit price at $74, ensuring that the stock is sold at no less than $74 if the stop price is reached.
Differences between stop-limit and a trailing stop order
Stop-limit orders are activated at a specific stop price and allow for a limit price to be set for execution. In contrast, a trailing stop order adjusts the stop price as the stock price moves in the investor's favor, locking in unrealized gains while still allowing for additional potential gains. While both offer ways to manage risk, trailing stop orders may provide more flexibility in dynamic markets.
Differences between stop-limit and a guaranteed stop-loss order
A guaranteed stop-loss order ensures that a trade will be executed at the specified stop price, regardless of market conditions. This eliminates the risk of slippage that can occur with traditional stop-loss orders. Stop-limit orders, however, only activate a limit order at the stop price, which may not execute in fast-moving markets, making guaranteed stop-loss orders a safer choice for risk-averse traders.
Common alternatives to stop-limit orders
There are several alternatives to stop-limit orders that traders may consider:
Market orders: A market order executes immediately at the current market price. While they guarantee execution, market orders can be subject to slippage, especially in volatile markets.
Bracket orders: Bracket orders are a combination of a primary order and two opposite orders (a stop-loss and a limit order) to automatically close the position at predetermined levels. This provides a structured exit strategy.
These alternatives provide varying levels of control and execution certainty, catering to different trading strategies and risk preferences.
Final thoughts
Stop-limit orders are valuable tools for traders seeking to manage risk and gain control over their stock transactions. By understanding how these orders work and their potential advantages and disadvantages, investors can make informed decisions that align with their trading strategies. Whether using stop-limit orders, market orders, or alternative orders, a clear grasp of each type of order can enhance trading effectiveness and protect against unexpected market movements.