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 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

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
and a 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
are then set once the trader specifies the highest price they are willing to pay per stock.

What is a buy stop limit order example? ›

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. As long as the order can be filled under $165, which is the limit price, the trade will be filled.

What is the difference between buy stop and buy 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.

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 the difference between buying stock limit and 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 ...

What are the disadvantages of a stop limit order? ›

One potential drawback is the risk of missed opportunities. Since stop-limit orders are only executed when specific price conditions are met, the market may move quickly, resulting in the order not being filled at the desired price.

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.

Why would you use a stop limit buy? ›

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 are the advantages of buy stop orders? ›

Risk Management: Buy stop orders can be used as part of a risk management strategy by limiting the amount of money a trader is willing to lose on a trade. By placing a stop loss order with the buy stop order, traders can protect themselves from excessive losses if the market goes against their position.

Should I use limit or stop limit to sell? ›

Use a stop order when you are more concerned with getting out of the trade and are not as concerned about the price. A stop-limit order typically ensures that you get the price you set, but it doesn't guarantee that your trade will go through.

When would you use a buy stop order? ›

A buy stop order is an order to a broker to purchase a security at a higher price than the current market price. It means the investor wants to catch a rising trend in a security's price. A buy stop is the opposite of a stop-loss order, which is triggered by a declining price.

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 set up a buy stop? ›

In the buy-stop order, the process gets started with the investor placing the order with the broker, and the broker directs the order to the exchange, regional exchange, or third market makers. If the security price reaches the stop price, the order gets executed at the market price; hence it becomes a market order.

What is an example of a stop-limit? ›

Stop-Limit Order Example

The investor enters a stop-limit order with a stop price of $60 (20% of $75), and decides to specify a stop-limit price of $58.50. If shares of XYZ decline to the stop price of $60, the 100 shares of XYZ will be sold as long as a minimum price of $58.50 can be obtained.

Which is typically considered the riskiest type of investment? ›

Equities are generally considered the riskiest class of assets. Dividends aside, they offer no guarantees, and investors' money is subject to the successes and failures of private businesses in a fiercely competitive marketplace. Equity investing involves buying stock in a private company or group of companies.

What is an example of a stop order? ›

A stop order example

If you enter the position at 1.0760, then the stop-loss order will trigger a market order to close the position if EUR/USD falls 100 pips to 1.0660. However, if EUR/USD does not trade down to 1.0660 or lower, then the position will continue to fluctuate in your account until you close it.

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 is limit order with example? ›

In a limit order, the investor has to specify a quantity and the desired price at which he or she wants to make the transaction. Say a share is currently trading at Rs 100 per share but the investor wants to buy it at Rs 95 per share. A limit order of say 10 shares at Rs 95 per share is placed.

Which of the following is an example of a limit order? ›

Limit Order Example

Say a trader would like to purchase 100 shares of stock XYZ. The highest price they want to pay per share is $26.75. They would set up a limit buy order like this: Buy 100 shares XYZ limit 26.75.

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.

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