What is Buy Stop Limit? (2024)

Now that we know what Buy Stop and Buy Limit orders are, it’s time to find out about the pending order that combines the two. This is called the “Buy Stop Limit” and at the time of making this video, it’s only available on the MetaTrader 5 platform. This pending order allows a trader to specify a price above the Current Price of the instrument they are trading. In this context, that specified price above is simply referred to as Price. If and when that Price is reached, a Buy Limit order is automatically placed at a lower level (because the golden rule of trading is always to buy low). This lower level is called the Stop Limit price.

In this context, the Buy Limit will be placed only if the Ask price reaches the Price. We are referring to it as Ask price, of course, because we are looking to buy. Once the Ask price drops to the Stop Limit Price, the Buy Limit order is triggered and the position is closed. So, for example, if a trader was looking to buy EURUSD and the current price is 1.3050, he may decide to put the Price at 1.3150 because he believes it will reach that point. But, because he believes that it will reverse and start going back down, he places a Buy order with a Stop Limit Price at 1.3100.

Buy Stop Limit is used by traders who anticipate that the price movement of their instrument will experience a temporary downswing before resuming higher. Next up is the natural companion; Sell Stop Limit.

What is the difference between a Buy Stop and a Buy Limit?

With a Buy Stop Order you set the Price higher than the current market price.

With a Buy Limit Order the limit price is always lower than the current market price, not higher.

In a Buy Stop Limit Order the two work together.

To create a Buy Stop Limit Order you’ll set two price points:

  1. Stop: this activates the Limit Order to buy
  2. Limit: this specifies the highest price you are willing to pay

When should I use a Buy Stop Limit?

A Buy Stop Limit is for when you predict a temporary fall in price, followed by an upswing. It can help you to:

  • Get your orders filled at better prices
  • Manage your investment risk, while you’re away from your trading screen
  • Control the timing of your orders, and price at which they’re filled

How far apart should the Price and Buy Limit be in a Buy Stop Limit?

It’s best not to be too strict with your price limits. If the price of the orders is too tight, they could be constantly filled due to market volatility. Buy Stop Limit Order prices should be at levels that allow for the price to rebound profitably while still protecting you from excessive loss.

Any disadvantages to using Buy Stop Limits?

One potential downside with this type of order is there’s no guarantee that an execution will occur. That’s because the price generated by the market may never meet or beat the limit price you’ve set.

Is there a ‘Sell Stop’ equivalent of the Buy Stop Limit?

Yes, the Sell Stop Limit works just like the Buy Stop Limit, but it’s an order to sell if the price falls to, or below, the Stop Price. The two price points you’ll need to set for a Sell Stop are:

  1. Stop: this activates the limit order to sell
  2. Limit: this specifies the lowest price you are willing to pay

How long does a Buy Stop Limit last?

If it doesn’t trigger because the Price isn’t reached, your Buy Stop Limit will run until the time you set for it to expire. That could be at close of market, or it could carry over to further trading sessions. You can cancel a Buy Stop Limit at any time.

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What is Buy Stop Limit? (2024)

FAQs

What is the buy stop limit? ›

A buy stop limit is used to purchase a stock if the price hits a specific point. It helps traders control the purchase price of stock once they've determined an acceptable maximum price per share. A stop price and a limit price are then set once the trader specifies the highest price they are willing to pay per stock.

What is an example of a buy stop? ›

For example, the current price of stock Z is $50, and you've determined that if the price surpasses $55 the stock will be in a bullish trend for the foreseeable future. One way to profit from the upward movement in the stock price and automate the process is to set a buy stop order at $55.

What is buying limit vs stop? ›

Remember that the key difference between a limit order and a stop order is that the limit order will only be filled at the specified limit price or better; whereas, once a stop order triggers at the specified price, it will be filled at the prevailing price in the market--which means that it could be executed at a ...

What is a stop and what is a limit? ›

Again, you set the stop price, where you want the sell order triggered. But here's where they differ. You exercise a measure of control over the trade by also setting a limit price. Instead of the trade being executed at the next available price, you specify the lowest price you are willing to accept.

What is an example of a stop limit? ›

Example of a Stop-Limit Order

If the price of AAPL moves above the $160 stop price, then the order is activated and turns into a limit order. As long as the order can be filled under $165, which is the limit price, the trade will be filled. If the stock gaps above $165, then the order will not be filled.

How does buy stop work? ›

A buy stop order is an order to purchase a security only once the price of the security reaches the specified stop price. The stop price is entered at a level, or strike, set above the current market price. It is a strategy to profit from an upward movement in a stock's price by placing an order in advance.

What is an example of a buy limit? ›

Buy limit orders provide investors and traders with a means of precisely entering a position. For example, a buy limit order could be placed at $2.40 when a stock is trading at $2.45. If the price dips to $2.40, the order is automatically executed. It will not be executed until the price drops to $2.40 or below.

What triggers a buy stop? ›

A buy stop order represents a market order to buy shares at the next available ask price, if and when the last trade price increases to, or up through, the stop price. You should enter the stop price for a buy stop order above the current ask price; otherwise, it may trigger immediately.

Why is it called a buy stop? ›

A stop order, also referred to as a stop-loss order is an order to buy or sell a stock once the price of the stock reaches the specified price, known as the stop price. When the stop price is reached, a stop order becomes a market order. A buy stop order is entered at a stop price above the current market price.

How to place a buy stop limit order? ›

How Stop-Limit Orders Work
  1. Access their brokerage's standard trade order screen.
  2. Specify the ticker, the number of shares they wish to apply the stop-limit on, and then the direction of the trade.
  3. Then, in the "order type" field, usually where "market order" and "limit order" appear, they can instead choose "stop."
Jun 10, 2022

What is an example of a stop loss order? ›

Examples of Stop-Loss Orders

A trader buys 100 shares of XYZ Company for $100 and sets a stop-loss order at $90. The stock declines over the next few weeks and falls below $90. The trader's stop-loss order gets triggered and the position is sold at $89.95 for a minor loss.

What are the four main types of orders? ›

When placing a trade order, there are five common types of orders that can be placed with a specialist or market maker:
  • Market Order. A market order is a trade order to purchase or sell a stock at the current market price. ...
  • Limit Order. ...
  • Stop Order. ...
  • Stop-Limit Order. ...
  • Trailing Stop Order.

What is a stop limit order for dummies? ›

A limit order sets a maximum price that you're willing to pay or a minimum price that you're willing to accept on a sale, whereas a stop order is triggered when an asset reaches a certain price and filled at the next available price. Also, limit orders are visible to the market, while stop orders are not visible.

Are stop limits a good idea? ›

Stop-limit orders play a crucial role in portfolio management by helping investors manage risk and protect their investments against adverse market price movements. One key benefit of using stop-limit orders is risk mitigation.

How does a limit work? ›

The limits are defined as the value that the function approaches as it goes to an x value. Using this definition, it is possible to find the value of the limits given a graph. A few examples are below: In general, you can see that these limits are equal to the value of the function.

How does a buy limit order work? ›

A buy limit order is an order to purchase an asset at or below a specified price, allowing traders to control how much they pay. By using a limit order to make a purchase, the investor is guaranteed to pay that price or less. While the price is guaranteed, the order being filled is not.

What is an example of a stop-loss? ›

A stop-loss order is a buy/sell order placed to limit losses when there is a concern that prices may move against the trade. For instance, if a stock is purchased at ₹100 and the loss is to be limited at ₹95, an order can be placed to sell the stock as soon as its price reaches ₹95.

What does GTC mean in trading? ›

What is Good 'Til Canceled (GTC) Good 'til canceled (GTC) describes a type of order that an investor may place to buy or sell a security that remains active until either the order is filled or the investor cancels it. Brokerages will typically limit the maximum time you can keep a GTC order open (active) to 90 days.

Can you buy stocks lower than the ask price? ›

In a nutshell, if you wish to buy the stock for less than the Ask price, you should use a Limit Order.

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