At the Close

An order to buy or sell a security within the final 30 seconds of the trading session. Brokers cannot guarantee that these orders will be executed.

Definition of “At the Close”

“At the Close” (ATC) is an order type used in stock trading where the intention is to buy or sell a security at the closing price of the trading session. This type of order is placed toward the final moments of regular trading hours—typically within the last 30 seconds. Brokers handling these orders do not guarantee execution, as many factors could affect the market conditions and availability of shares.

Examples

  1. Stock X ATC Order: An investor wants to purchase 100 shares of Stock X at the market closing price. They place an ATC order 15 seconds before the market closes.

  2. Sell Order for Stock Y: A trader places an ATC order to sell 200 shares of Stock Y with the objective of selling them at the closing price of the trading day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an “At the Close” order impact the stock price?

Yes, placing a large “At the Close” order can sometimes affect the closing price, especially in less liquid markets.

Are “At the Close” orders guaranteed to be fulfilled?

No, there is no guarantee of execution. These orders are subject to market conditions, and availability of buyers or sellers at the closing price.

What is the difference between “At the Close” and “Market on Close”?

“At the Close” orders are intended to be executed exactly at the closing price, whereas “Market on Close” orders aim to be executed as close to the market close as possible, without necessarily requiring the exact closing price.

Can I cancel an ATC order?

Yes, ATC orders can generally be canceled before the final moments of trading; however, once the order is being processed within the final seconds, it may be too late to cancel.

Is there any advantage to using an ATC order?

Using an ATC order can ensure that the trader gets a price reflective of the closing market value, which can be useful for certain trading strategies aiming for day-end valuations.

Market on Close (MOC)

An order to execute trades as close to the market closing price as possible.

Limit Order

A type of order to buy or sell a security at a specified price or better.

Stop-Loss Order

An order placed with a broker to buy or sell once the stock reaches a certain price, to limit potential losses.

Opening Order

An order executed at the opening price of the market.

Online Resources

Suggested Books for Further Studies

  • “A Beginner’s Guide to Stock Market Trading” by Matthew R. Kratter
  • “Trading for a Living” by Dr. Alexander Elder
  • “The Little Book That Still Beats the Market” by Joel Greenblatt
  • “Understanding the Stock Market: Basic Concepts” by Michael C. Thomsett

Fundamentals of “At the Close” Orders in Trading Basics Quiz

### Are "At the Close" orders executed guaranteed? - [x] No, brokers cannot guarantee that "At the Close" orders will be executed. - [ ] Yes, brokers always guarantee execution. - [ ] Yes, if placed within the first half of the market day. - [ ] No, only limit orders are guaranteed. > **Explanation:** Brokers cannot guarantee the execution of "At the Close" orders as they are dependent on market conditions and available buyers/sellers at the closing price. ### What is the typical time frame for an "At the Close" order? - [ ] Within the first 30 seconds of the trading day. - [x] Within the last 30 seconds of the trading day. - [ ] At any time during the trading day. - [ ] Just after the market opens. > **Explanation:** "At the Close" orders are placed within the final 30 seconds of the trading session to be executed at the closing price. ### Can "At the Close" orders impact the closing price of a stock? - [x] Yes, especially in less liquid markets. - [ ] No, they have no impact on closing prices. - [ ] Only in highly liquid markets. - [ ] Only if they are sell orders. > **Explanation:** Large "At the Close" orders can affect the closing prices, particularly in markets with lower liquidity. ### What is the main reason traders use "At the Close" orders? - [ ] To trigger early trading bonuses. - [x] To obtain a price reflective of the market’s closing value. - [ ] To capitalize on overnight price changes. - [ ] To avoid market volatility. > **Explanation:** Traders use "At the Close" orders to get an execution price that reflects the market's closing value, fitting certain end-of-day strategies. ### Can "At the Close" orders be canceled? - [x] Yes, but generally before the final moments of trading. - [ ] No, they cannot be canceled once placed. - [ ] Yes, at any time, even after closing. - [ ] No, unless placed on the NASDAQ. > **Explanation:** "At the Close" orders can be canceled before the final moments of trading. It may become too late to cancel once the order is being processed in the final seconds. ### What is similar to an "At the Close" order but aims to execute as close as possible to the market close without exact price requirements? - [ ] Limit Order. - [x] Market on Close Order. - [ ] Stop-Loss Order. - [ ] Opening Order. > **Explanation:** A "Market on Close" order aims to be executed as close to the market close as possible without requiring the exact closing price. ### What kind of market conditions can affect "At the Close" orders? - [ ] Only changes in company management. - [ ] Seasonal trends. - [x] Availability of buyers and sellers and overall market liquidity. - [ ] Dividend announcements. > **Explanation:** "At the Close" orders are affected by the availability of traders at the specific price and the market’s liquidity conditions. ### For what type of trading strategy might an "At the Close" order be particularly useful? - [x] End-of-day valuation strategies. - [ ] High-frequency trading. - [ ] Intraday scalping. - [ ] Long-term investment purchase strategies. > **Explanation:** End-of-day valuation strategies benefit from using "At the Close" orders, ensuring trades occur at the market's closing price. ### In which type of order, traders specify the price at which a security is to be bought or sold? - [ ] Market on Close - [x] Limit Order. - [ ] Stop-Loss Order. - [ ] Opening Order. > **Explanation:** In a "Limit Order," traders specify the price at which they're willing to buy or sell a security, unlike "At the Close" orders. ### How does the "At the Close" order differ from a "Market on Close" order? - [ ] ATC orders are only for enormous transactions. - [ ] MOC orders target the opening price. - [ ] ATC orders only exist in futures trading. - [x] ATC orders aim for execution at the exact closing price, while MOC orders aim as near to closing time as possible. > **Explanation:** "At the Close" orders target execution precisely at the closing price, whereas "Market on Close" orders aim to execute close to the closing time but may not match the exact closing price.

Thank you for exploring the fundamentals of “At the Close” orders in stock trading through our comprehensive definition and practical quiz. Keep advancing your proficiency in financial trading strategies!

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

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