What Are All these Different Types of Orders?
Choosing a Broker Basics
Here's all you need to know about finding, evaluating and funding a brokerage account.
- Why Do I Need a Broker?
- 10 Ways to Size Up a Broker
- How to Invest $20, $100, and $1,000+
- What's Wrong With Full-Service Brokers
- How Do I Open an Account?
- Do I Need a Lot of Money to Invest Online?
- Can I Transfer My Current Account to a New Broker?
- Should I Go With the Cheapest Broker?
- What Are All These Different Types of Orders?
- Is Online Trading Secure?
It's easy to be confused by all the types of orders you may have heard about. So here's a quick guided tour.
Market Order
A customer order for immediate execution at the best price available when the order reaches the marketplace. The most common type of order, a market order has the advantage of nearly always being filled, since no price is specified.
A customer order for immediate execution at the best price available when the order reaches the marketplace. The most common type of order, a market order has the advantage of nearly always being filled, since no price is specified.
Limit Order
An order to execute a transaction only at a specified price (the limit) or better. A limit order to buy would be at the limit or lower, and a limit order to sell would be at the limit or higher. Limit orders are used by investors who have decided on the price at which they are willing to trade, and may be more expensive to execute than a market order.
GTC (Good Till Canceled)
A variant of a limit order either to buy or to sell a security that remains in effect until it is canceled by the customer or until it is executed by the broker.
Fill-or-Kill
An order that is sent to the floor for immediate execution. If it cannot be filled immediately, it is automatically canceled.
All or None (AON)
A limit order either to buy or to sell a security in which the broker is directed to attempt to fill the entire amount of the order or none of it. An all-or-none order differs from a fill-or-kill order in that with an all-or-none order immediate execution is not required.
Day Order
An order that terminates automatically at the end of the business day if it has not been filled.
Stop Order
An order that trades after a specified price level has been reached. It may be time-limited as well, as with a day order or GTC order. A stop order guarantees execution but not price if the specified price level is reached or traded through.
Depending on how active a trader you are, you may use several of these types of orders. But for most investors, market and limit orders will satisfy their needs.
2009-03-18 10:12:11
COMMENTS ( 0 )
Investing Basics
Stock Quotes
There's more to investing than just the latest price...
• Free real time stock quotes
• The latest investing news
• Over 30 detailed financial reports
My Portfolios
My Portfolios is the web's most popular investing tracker. You'll enjoy...
• Automatic totals for multiple investment portfolios
• Track cash holdings & foreign issues
• Customizable views
Stock Screener
Tired of hearing about the same old stocks? Use our free stock screener to find the best stocks to suit your investment strategy.
Stock Screener