A Stop-Limit Order is a trade that takes place over a specific span of time that combines the feature characteristics of a stop and a limit order for the purpose of mitigating risk that might exist within a stock trade. So first what does a "Stop" mean in the world of stock trading? A stop is an instruction given to buy a share once the price of the stock reaches a certain price point. Second, we now need to understand what a limit order is. A limit order is an instruction to stop buying a share when the price is better than or equal to a certain price point. Combine the two, and what you get are two price points. A high and a low. As a result, a stock trader then has the benefit of "pre-set" control of when his/her share is bought. However, this control only lasts for so long because a trader before issuing the order must set a time limit in which the order will remain in effect. Which could mean that the share never gets bought if the price never reaches the stop price point by the time it runs out. As an example, let's assume that Google (GOOG) is trading at $150 and an investor is interested in investing once the stock price reaches $170, but not after it reaches $185. As a result, the investor will issue a stop-limit order that will automatically fill once the price of Google's stock reaches $170 and stop once it reaches $185.Stop-Limit Order Definition
Stop-Limit Order Explained
Example of a Stop-Limit Order
Stop-Limit Order FAQs
A stop-limit order is a trade that takes place over a specific span of time that combines the feature characteristics of a stop and a limit order for the purpose of mitigating risk that might exist within a stock trade.
A stop is an instruction given to buy a share once the price of the stock reaches a certain price point.
A limit order is an instruction to stop buying a share when the price is better than or equal to a certain price point.
As an example, let’s assume that Google (GOOG) is trading at $150 and an investor is interested in investing once the stock price reaches $170, but not after it reaches $185. As a result, the investor will issue a stop-limit order that will automatically fill once the price of Google’s stock reaches $170 and stop once it reaches $185.
If the stock doesn't rise to the $170 level in the designated period of time, it expires unfilled.
True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.
True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.
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