Trailing Stop Limit Orders | Interactive Brokers LLC (2024)

A trailing stop limit order is designed to allow an investor to specify a limit on the maximum possible loss, without setting a limit on the maximum possible gain. A SELL trailing stop limit moves with the market price, and continually recalculates the stop trigger price at a fixed amount below the market price, based on the user-defined "trailing" amount. The limit order price is also continually recalculated based on the limit offset. As the market price rises, both the stop price and the limit price rise by the trail amount and limit offset respectively, but if the stock price falls, the stop price remains unchanged, and when the stop price is hit a limit order is submitted at the last calculated limit price. A "Buy" trailing stop limit order is the mirror image of a sell trailing stop limit, and is generally used in falling markets.

IB may simulate stop-limit orders on exchanges. For details on how IB manages stop-limit orders, click here.

Notes:

The Reference Table to the upper right provides a general summary of the order type characteristics. The checked features are applicable in some combination, but do not necessarily work in conjunction with all other checked features. For example, if Options and Stocks, US and Non-US, and Smart and Directed are all checked, it does not follow that all US and Non-US Smart and direct-routed stocks support the order type. It may be the case that only Smart-routed US Stocks, direct-routed Non-US stocks and Smart-routed US Options are supported.


<! -- The Pages below have unique notes which can be altered above. Good After Time (GAT) Orders: File ID 587 Good Til Date: File ID: 589Limit Orders: File ID: 593Market if Touched Orders: File ID: 600Trailing Stop Orders: File ID: 605Volatility Orders: File ID: 604-->

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Open Users' Guide

Trailing Stop Limit Orders Short Video


For more short videos, see our Traders' Academy Courses.


Example


Order Type In Depth - Trailing Stop Limit Sell Order


Trailing Stop Limit Orders | Interactive Brokers LLC (1)

Step 1 – Enter a Trailing Stop Limit Sell Order

You have purchased 100 shares of XYZ for $66.34 per share (your Average Price) and want to limit your loss. You set a trailing stop limit order with the trailing amount 20 cents below the current market price of 61.90. The trailing amount is the amount used to calculate the initial stop price, by which you want the limit price to trail the stop price.

To do this, first create a SELL order, then click select TRAIL LIMIT in the Type field and enter 0.20 in the Trailing Amt field. In a trailing stop limit order, you specify a stop price and either a limit price or a limit offset. In this example, we are going to set the limit offset; the limit price is then calculated as Stop Price – Limit Offset. You enter a stop price of 61.70 and a limit offset of 0.10. You submit the order.

Step 2 – Order Transmitted

You transmit your order. The current market price of XYZ is $61.90, the initial stop price is $61.70 and the limit price is calculated as $61.60 or $61.70 – the 0.10 limit offset.

Assumptions
Avg Price66.34
ActionSELL
Qty100
Order TypeTRAIL
Market Price61.90
Trailing Amount0.20
Stop Price61.70
Limit Offset0.10
Limit Price (Calculated as Stop Price – Limit Offset)61.60
Step 3 – Market Rises

As soon as you submit your order, the price of XYZ starts to rise and hits $62.00. The stop price has adjusted accordingly and is at $61.80, or $62.00– the $0.20 trailing amount. Your limit price has also adjusted accordingly and is calculated as $61.70, or 61.80 – the 0.10 limit offset.

Assumptions
Avg Price66.34
ActionSELL
Qty100
Order TypeTRAIL
Market Price62.00
Trailing Amount0.20
Stop Price61.80
Limit Offset0.10
Limit Price (Calculated as Stop Price – Limit Offset)61.70
Step 4 – Market Price Falls

Suddenly the market price of XYZ drops to $61.90. Your stop price remains at $61.80 and your limit price remains at $61.70, or $61.80 – the 0.10 limit offset.

Assumptions
Avg Price66.34
ActionSELL
Qty100
Order TypeTRAIL
Market Price61.90
Trailing Amount0.20
Stop Price61.80
Limit Offset0.10
Limit Price (Calculated as Stop Price – Limit Offset)61.70
Step 5 – Market Price Touches Stop Price, Limit Order Submitted

The market price of XYZ continues to drop and touches your stop price of 61.80. A limit order to sell 100 shares of XYZ at 61.70 is submitted to fill at the calculated limit price or better.

Assumptions
Avg Price66.34
ActionSELL
Qty100
Order TypeTRAIL
Market Price61.80
Trailing Amount0.20
Stop Price61.80
Limit Offset0.10
Limit Price (Calculated as Stop Price – Limit Offset)61.70
Limit Order submitted
Trailing Stop Limit Orders | Interactive Brokers LLC (2024)

FAQs

Does Interactive Brokers have trailing stop-loss? ›

Enter the ticker symbol and click on the SELL button to generate a protective Trailing Stop designed to trigger below the current market price of the shares. Note the red background for the Order Entry pane associated with sell orders.

How does a stop limit order work in Interactive Brokers? ›

The order has two basic components: the stop price and the limit price. When a trade has occurred at or through the stop price, the order becomes executable and enters the market as a limit order, which is an order to buy or sell at a specified price or better.

What is an example of a trailing stop quote limit order? ›

For example, if the last traded price is $15, you set the trail to $1 and the STP to $13 and the limit to $12.50, 50 cents below the stop price, the stock then rises to $17 your new STP price will be $16, and the order will be triggered if the stock price falls to $16 with a limit price of $15.50.

How to set trailing stop limit order? ›

In a trailing stop limit order, you specify a stop price and either a limit price or a limit offset. In this example, we are going to set the limit offset; the limit price is then calculated as Stop Price – Limit Offset. You enter a stop price of 61.70 and a limit offset of 0.10. You submit the order.

Which broker is best for trailing stop-loss? ›

Best Forex Brokers With Trailing Stop Orders
  • Interactive Brokers - 9.9/10 Overall.
  • Saxo - 9.7/10 Overall.
  • CMC Markets - 9.6/10 Overall.
  • FOREX.com - 9.4/10 Overall.
  • TD Ameritrade - 9.3/10 Overall.
  • City Index - 9.3/10 Overall.
  • XTB - 9.1/10 Overall.
  • eToro - 8.8/10 Overall.
Mar 14, 2024

What is the best trailing stoploss indicator? ›

The Fibonacci Trailing Stop indicator creates a Trailing Stop, based on Fibonacci levels which are retrieved from the latest swing high & low . This provides a Trailing Stop-line . 🔶 USAGE The Fibonacci Trailing Stop can indicate the current trend direction.

What are the disadvantages of a stop-limit order? ›

However, stop-limit orders have some disadvantages as well. One among them is the possibility of missed opportunities. The order might not be executed, and the investor would lose out on possible gains if the stock price rose quickly over the price limit.

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 stop-limit and trailing stop-limit? ›

The primary benefit of a trailing-stop order, versus a regular stop order, is that it doesn't have to be canceled and re-entered as the price of the stock increases.

What is a real world example of a stop-limit order? ›

For example, if the current price per share is $60, the trader can set a stop price at $55 and a limit order at $53. The order is activated when the price falls to $55, but not below $53. Below $53, the order will not be fulfilled.

What is the difference between a limit 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 ...

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

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.

What is an example of a trailing buy order? ›

John wants to buy 1 BTC at the best possible price. The current BTC rate is $34,360, so John places a Trailing Buy order at $33,500 and sets the price deviation to 1%. So when the $33,500 price level is reached, the Trailing feature will be turned on, and it will follow the price at a 1% deviation.

How does a trailing stop buy order work? ›

With a buy trailing stop order, the stop price follows, or trails, the lowest price of a stock by a trail that you set. If the stock rises above its lowest price by the trail or more, it triggers a buy market order and is executed at the best price currently available.

How do I place a stop limit order to sell? ›

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.

Does Interactive Brokers have guaranteed stop loss? ›

A Stop order is not guaranteed a specific execution price and may execute significantly away from its stop price. A Sell Stop order is always placed below the current market price and is typically used to limit a loss or protect a profit on a long stock position.

Which exchanges have trailing stop? ›

A few cryptocurrency exchanges offer trailing stop-loss buy orders, including Kraken, Binance, and Bitfinex. A trailing stop-loss order is a type of order that allows the user to set a stop-loss price that moves in line with the market.

Does Robinhood allow trailing stop loss? ›

Select "Trailing Stop" from the menu that appears. Enter the trailing amount for your stop in dollars or as a percentage. This is the minimum amount that the stock price must move in your favor before the stop will trigger. Confirm your trailing stop by tapping "Place Order."

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