With a stop order, the customer does not have to actively monitor how a stock is performing. However because the order is triggered automatically when the stop price is reached, the stop price could be activated by a short-term fluctuation in a security's price. Once the stop price is reached, the stop order becomes a market order. In a fast-moving market, the price at which the trade is executed may be much different from the stop price. The use of stop orders is much more frequent for stocks, and futures, that trade on an exchange than in the over-the-counter (OTC) market.

A sell stop order is an instruction to sell at the best available price after the price goes below the stop price. A sell stop price is always below the current market price. For example, if an investor holds a stock currently valued at $50 and is worried that the value may drop, he/she can place a sell stop order at $40. If the share price drops to $40, the broker will sell the stock at the next available price. This can limit the investor's losses (if the stop price is at or below the purchase price) or lock in some of the investor's profits.

A buy stop order is typically used to limit a loss (or to protect an existing profit) on a short sale.[3] A buy stop price is always above the current market price. For example, if an investor sells a stock short hoping the stock price goes down in order to give the borrowed shares back at a lower price (Covering), the investor may use a buy stop order to protect himself against losses if the price goes too high.

A stop-limit order combines the features of a stop order and a limit order. Once the stop price is reached, the stop-limit order becomes a limit order to buy (or to sell) at no more (or less) than a specified price.

As with all limit orders, a stop-limit order may not get filled if the security's price never reaches the specified limit price.

Using Stops with CFDs

Stops are very important when trading CFDs and are a vital calculation when preparing any trading plan. Since CFDs are traded on margins, losses can quickly start to become excessive. Knowing when to cut your losses is vital in CFD trading and stops are the perfect way to ensure you follow your plan with out having to constantly monitor a screen.

There are many techniques involving stop losses and guaranteed stops. These try to determine the best position to place the initial stop and where to place subsiquent trailing stops.

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_loss_order#Stop_orders

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Source: 123CFD