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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Disclaimer: This written/visual material is comprised of personal opinions and ideas. The content should not be construed as containing any type of investment advice and/or a solicitation for any transactions. It does not imply an obligation to purchase investment services, nor does it guarantee or predict future performance. FXTM, its affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees do not guarantee the accuracy, validity, timeliness or completeness of any information or data made available and assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment based on the same.

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What is Buy Stop Limit? (2024)

FAQs

What is Buy Stop Limit? ›

A buy-stop-limit order

order
A stop-loss order is an order placed with a broker to buy or sell a specific stock once the stock reaches a certain price. 1 A stop-loss is designed to limit an investor's loss on a security position.
https://www.investopedia.com › articles › stocks › use-stop-loss
triggers an order to buy once the stop price
stop price
A stop price is the price in a stop order that triggers the creation of a market order. In the case of a Sell on Stop order, a market sell order is triggered when the market price reaches or falls below the stop price.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Stop_price
is reached but only at the stated limit price
limit price
A limit price (or limit pricing) is a price, or pricing strategy, where products are sold by a supplier at a price low enough to make it unprofitable for other players to enter the market. It is used by monopolists to discourage entry into a market, and is illegal in many countries.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Limit_price
. A buy-stop-limit order protects you from overpaying by setting a minimum and maximum limit price.

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 order? ›

Example of a Buy Stop Order

Let's a say a trader bets on a price increase beyond that range for ABC and places a buy stop order at $10.20. Once the stock hits that price, the order becomes a market order and the trading system purchases stock at the next available price.

What is a stop 50 limit 55 buy? ›

Stop-Limit Order is a combination of Stop and Limit order, which helps execute trade more precisely wherein it gives a trigger point and a range. Say the investor want to buy when the stock price reaches $50, and you buy till it is $55. So, the Stop-Limit order gets triggered when the price reaches $50.

What is an example of a buy limit order? ›

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.

Are stop limit orders a good idea? ›

While they provide risk management benefits, there is a possibility that a stop-limit order may not be executed if the market price does not reach the specified limit. Balancing the desire for a competitive limit price with the need to protect investments is essential.

What is the difference between buy stop and sell stop? ›

“Buy stop” to open a long position at the price higher than the current price. “Sell stop” to open a short position at the price lower than the current price. “Buy Limit” to open a long position at the price lower than the current price.

How to use buy stop? ›

Putting Buy Stops in Place
  1. The investor should place the stop above the resistance level. This is the price where a security has trouble moving higher. ...
  2. Place the stop 5 to 15 percent above the short sale price depending on the investor's comfort level. These can also be adjusted upward to protect profits.

What is the disadvantage of a buy stop order? ›

Cons: Triggered by Volatility: Buy stop orders are triggered by market volatility, which means that they can be executed at a higher price than anticipated if the market moves rapidly. This can result in slippage and potentially higher trading costs.

What is a stop-limit order option example? ›

Stop-limit order example:
  • The current stock price is $90.
  • You place a stop-limit order to sell 100 shares with a stop price of $87.50, and a limit price of $87.50.
  • If an execution occurs at $87.50 or below, your order will be triggered and become a limit order to sell at $87.50 or higher.

What is a good stop-loss limit? ›

A percentage-based stop loss is usually set 10 to 15 per cent below your purchase price, depending on the volatility of the stock, as this allows for short-term fluctuations in the price as the stock settles into a trend.

What is the difference between a limit price and a stop limit? ›

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 ...

How to set stop limit sell order? ›

Narrator: To enter a Sell Stop Limit Order, you must enter a Stop price below the current security price and a Limit price less than or equal to the Stop price, ideally the lowest price you're willing to accept. $85 is entered as Stop price and $80 is set as Limit price.

What is an example of a stop-limit buy? ›

Example of a Stop-Limit Order

The investor has put in a stop-limit order to buy with the stop price at $160 and the limit price at $165. If the price of AAPL moves above the $160 stop price, then the order is activated and turns into a limit order.

How does buy limit work? ›

A limit order is an order to buy or sell a security at a specific price or better. A buy limit order can only be executed at the limit price or lower, and a sell limit order can only be executed at the limit price or higher.

What is a limit order for dummies? ›

A limit order is the use of a pre-specified price to buy or sell a security. For example, if a trader is looking to buy XYZ's stock but has a limit of $14.50, they will only buy the stock at a price of $14.50 or lower.

What is the 7% stop loss rule? ›

However, if the stock falls 7% or more below the entry, it triggers the 7% sell rule. It is time to exit the position before it does further damage. That way, investors can still be in the game for future opportunities by preserving capital. The deeper a stock falls, the harder it is to get back to break-even.

Is it better to buy market or limit? ›

Market orders are best used for buying or selling large-cap stocks, futures, or ETFs. A limit order is preferable if buying or selling a thinly traded or highly volatile asset. The market order is the most common transaction type made in the stock markets.

What is the difference between buy limit and sell limit? ›

A limit order sets a specified price for an order and executes the trade at that price. A buy limit order will execute at the limit price or lower. A sell limit order will execute at the limit price or higher.

What is an example of a stop loss limit order? ›

Example Scenario

A SL limit sell order is placed at ₹170, triggered at ₹180. Given the current market price of ₹185 and the placement of the SL limit sell order at a lower price, the order will function as a market order and execute immediately. Consequently, all available quantities will be sold for up to ₹170.

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