What Is a Trailing Stop Order?

A trailing stop order limits the loss by setting a price at which you will be out of the market. It can be set up with most brokers or investing software. You can also place a trailing stop order manually, but this method is more common for traders who are constantly looking at their investments. But it is important to understand what it is and why you might want to use it. In this article, we’ll look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of trailing stop orders.

First, you’ll need to decide on the price level you’d like to purchase. You can use the Last Price or Mark Price. If you want to buy at $50, you can set the trailing stop to be 10% above that price. If the price drops below that level, the trailing stop will still fire and send the underlying order to the exchange. Trailing stop orders are great for making sure that you don’t go against the current price trend.

You can also choose to use a percentage or an amount when setting up your trailing stop order. A percentage will increase the distance between your target price and your order amount. You can also set your trailing stop order to be a percentage of the current price. It’s important to understand the difference between percentage and price as confusing the two will result in lower profits or a loss. Therefore, when deciding on a trailing stop order, be sure to understand what it means and why you need it.

It’s a good idea to review your trailing stop strategy regularly. Take into consideration your trading style, risk tolerance, experience, and financial situation. Determine a callback rate and activation price based on your range of price changes and your target profitability level. Remember to be realistic about how much you can afford to lose in order to maximize your returns. With this strategy, you can avoid unnecessary risks while still maintaining a viable exit option in the market.

What is a trailing stop order tracks the price of a security by a specific amount or percentage. It protects the investor from a sudden pullback in price. Imagine, for instance, that Frank purchased shares of Company XYZ for $10. Frank doesn’t want to lose more than $2 on the investment, so he sets a trailing stop order to sell when the price drops below the market price.

The first major disadvantage of using trailing stop orders is that they are often too tight. Traders often make the mistake of placing their stop orders too wide. For example, a 20% trailing stop order would be too wide and would easily trigger. A 10% trailing stop order is usually sufficient. If you can avoid the downside risk, a 10% trailing stop order may be the perfect choice. And it’s not difficult to set one up.