Open Order

An open order refers to a buy or sell order for securities that has not yet been executed or canceled.

Definition

An “Open Order” is a type of trade order that is either for buying or selling securities and is yet to be executed or canceled. Such orders remain active and open until they are filled or until the investor decides to cancel them. In some cases, the order might be automatically canceled due to the time constraints or other conditions specified by the trader.


Examples

  1. Good-Till-Canceled (GTC) Order: An investor places a GTC order to buy 100 shares of Company XYZ at $50 per share. The order remains open until it is either executed at the specified price or canceled by the investor. If the trade never reaches $50, the order stays open indefinitely, unless the broker limits the maximum duration.

  2. Limit Order: A trader sets a limit order to sell 200 shares of Company ABC at $60 per share. The order remains open and will only be executed when the market price reaches or exceeds $60.

  3. Stop Order: A trader initiates a stop order to buy shares of Company LMN at $25 per share should the price rise to that point. The order remains open until the price condition is met and the order is executed.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens to an open order at the end of the trading day?

Open orders can either be day orders or good-till-canceled orders. A day order expires at the end of the trading day if it is not filled, while a GTC order remains active until the conditions for execution are met or the order is canceled manually.

Can I modify an open order?

Yes, traders can often modify open orders to adjust the price, quantity, or other conditions. However, this depends on the brokerage platform and regulations in place.

Are there any risks associated with open orders?

Yes, market conditions can change, and prices can move unfavorably impacting the outcome of an open order. It’s crucial to monitor open orders regularly to ensure they align with current investment strategies.

How do I cancel an open order?

Most brokerage platforms enable the cancellation of open orders via their trading interface. The specific steps can vary, so it’s advisable to check the instructions provided by the respective broker.

Do open orders affect the stock price?

Large open orders can influence stock prices if the volume is significant enough to impact market supply and demand dynamics.


Good-Till-Canceled (GTC) Order

A type of order that remains active until the investor decides to cancel it or the order is filled automatically.

Limit Order

An order to buy or sell a security at a specified price or better.

Stop Order

An order to buy or sell a security once its price reaches a specified level.

Market Order

An order to buy or sell a security immediately at the best available current price.


Online References


Suggested Books for Further Study

  • “Trading and Exchanges: Market Microstructure for Practitioners” by Larry Harris
  • “A Beginner’s Guide to Forex Trading” by Matthew Driver
  • “Market Wizards: Interviews with Top Traders” by Jack D. Schwager

Fundamentals of Open Order: Trading Basics Quiz

### An open order remains active until it is executed or: - [x] Canceled - [ ] Reviewed by a broker - [ ] Transferred to a different account - [ ] Declared void by the exchange > **Explanation:** An open order will remain active until it is either executed when the conditions are met, or it is manually canceled by the trader or automatically based on set conditions. ### Which of the following orders will remain open indefinitely unless manually canceled or filled? - [x] Good-Till-Canceled (GTC) Order - [ ] Day Order - [ ] Immediate-Or-Cancel (IOC) Order - [ ] Fill-Or-Kill (FOK) Order > **Explanation:** A GTC order remains open until it is filled by meeting the specified conditions or canceled manually by the trader. ### What is a key characteristic of a limit order that makes it an open order type? - [x] It executes only at the specified price or better. - [ ] It executes immediately at the current market price. - [ ] It expires at the end of the trading day. - [ ] It is intended for after-hours trading. > **Explanation:** A limit order will execute only at the specified price or better, making it an open order type if the condition is not immediately met. ### Can an open order influence the price of a stock? - [x] Yes, especially if the volume is significant. - [ ] No, open orders do not affect stock prices. - [ ] Only in international markets. - [ ] Only when placed by institutional investors. > **Explanation:** Large open orders can influence the price of a stock if the volume is significant, affecting market supply and demand. ### How can you modify an open order on most brokerage platforms? - [ ] By submitting a new trade ticket. - [x] By adjusting the order parameters directly through the platform interface. - [ ] By contacting the exchange directly. - [ ] It cannot be modified once placed. > **Explanation:** Most brokerage platforms allow investors to directly modify the parameters of an open order through the platform's interface. ### What risk is associated with leaving an open order unattended? - [ ] It will be automatically executed at any arbitrary price. - [x] Market conditions can change, potentially leading to unfavorable outcomes. - [ ] The broker might cancel without notice. - [ ] It will not be executed even if conditions are met. > **Explanation:** Unattended open orders can lead to unfavorable outcomes as market conditions can change, affecting the price at which the order is eventually executed. ### To avoid risks associated with open orders, an investor should: - [x] Regularly monitor and adjust the orders as needed. - [ ] Keep all orders open indefinitely. - [ ] Delegate all decisions to the broker. - [ ] Avoid using open orders altogether. > **Explanation:** Regularly monitoring and adjusting open orders as needed helps mitigate potential risks associated with fluctuating market conditions. ### What is a stop order? - [x] An order to buy or sell a security once its price reaches a specified level. - [ ] An order that must be executed immediately. - [ ] An order to keep a security until it appreciates in value. - [ ] A daily order executed at market closing. > **Explanation:** A stop order is an order to buy or sell a security once its price reaches a specified stop level. ### Which statement is true regarding open orders and day orders? - [x] Day orders expire at the end of the trading day, whereas open orders may not. - [ ] Open orders expire at the end of the trading day, similar to day orders. - [ ] Both open orders and day orders remain active indefinitely. - [ ] Day orders renew automatically every day. > **Explanation:** Day orders expire at the end of the trading day, while open orders, such as GTC orders, remain active until executed or canceled. ### Who is primarily responsible for canceling an open order if an investor chooses to withdraw it? - [ ] The stock exchange - [ ] The market regulator - [ ] The issuing company - [x] The investor > **Explanation:** The investor is primarily responsible for canceling an open order if they choose to withdraw it from the market.

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

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