Stop-Limit-on-Quote Order Execution

A stop-limit-on-quote order is an order to buy or sell a security at a specified price or better (limit price), but only after a given stop price has been reached or passed. The order initially is a stop-on-quote order that, once triggered, then becomes a limit order. The order will only execute at the limit price or better.

Stop-Limit-on-Quote Scenario 1

You bought 100 shares of XYZ at $10 per share. XYZ is currently trading at $12 but is trending downward, and you attempt to protect your profit by setting a stop-limit-on-quote order with a stop price of $11 and a limit price of $10. You want to capture a $1 profit per share, and you are only willing to sell at $10 or better. XYZ continues falling and gaps down from $11 to $9.50. Your order isn't placed. What happened?

Because the stock hit $11, your stop-on-quote order was triggered and your limit order is in place. But, because the stock gapped down to $9.50, your limit order didn't trigger. Your limit order would only have been placed if XYZ met or surpassed your $10 limit. For a sell order, a higher price is more favorable, so "surpassed" means "went higher than", in this case. If XYZ had moved from $11 to $10.50, for example, then both your stop-on-quote order and your limit order would have triggered.

Stop-Limit-on-Quote Scenario 2

You want to sell 100 shares of XYZ at $11, so you place a stop-limit-on-quote order where both the stop price and the limit price are $11. XYZ briefly hits $11 but quickly keeps falling. Your stop-on-quote order triggers, but your limit order does not. What happened?

Setting your stop price and limit price as the same number typically lowers your chances of both orders executing. In order for both the stop-on-quote and limit orders to trigger, XYZ would have to stay at $11 for long enough for your limit order to execute, or it would have to hit $11 exactly and then bounce back up above $11. Both of these occurrences are unlikely if your stock is falling in price, as it is in this scenario.

The information and content provided in the Scottrade® Knowledge Center is for informational and/or educational purposes only. The information presented or discussed is not, and should not be considered, a recommendation or an offer of, or solicitation of an offer by, Scottrade or its affiliates to buy, sell or hold any security or other financial product or an endorsement or affirmation of any specific investment strategy. You are fully responsible for your investment decisions. Your choice to engage in a particular investment or investment strategy should be based solely on your own research and evaluation of the risks involved, your financial circumstances and your investment objectives. Scottrade, Inc. and its affiliates are not offering or providing, and will not offer or provide, any advice, opinion or recommendation of the suitability, value or profitability of any particular investment or investment strategy.