The Stop-Loss Order And Its Use In Forex Trading
The average trader, while limiting his gains by taking quick profits, will probably let his losses accumulate. The same trader, who was happy to take a $300 profit would not liquidate if the forex market went against him by that amount. Instead, he would hold onto his position, hoping that the forex market would rally. As prices keep declining, he is apt to get more obstinate, until finally he is forced to liquidate with a much larger loss and very possibly at a time when the market is finally getting ready to reverse.
In order to limit their losses to the predetermined amount, many forex market traders use the “stop-loss order”. A “stop-loss order” is an order to buy or sell at the market when the market reaches a specific price – but under certain unique circumstances. A “stop-buy” order is placed at a price above the market.
One should note that a stop order does not guarantee that the price named in the stop will be obtained even though the market sells or is bid at said price. If the market moves through the stop-price, it will then become an order to be executed at the market, at whatever price the market is selling at, which could be higher, lower or the same as the stop-price. We see these run-away forex markets occur during economic news releases.
A stop-loss is used to protect profits on a previously established position. A trader is able to protect his profits on an existing trade by moving his stop-loss order up (or down if short the market). Thus, if the market should drastically change directions, the trader is exited from his trade with a nice profit.
A stop-loss is used to initiate new positions. One of the major uses is determining at which price the market must sell to confirm the indication of a new trend. Once the trend is confirmed, a trader is anxious to get into the market quickly. So rather than sitting and watching his computer screen, a stop-order is placed ahead of time.
So let’s review this strategy. A stop-loss is used to liquidate and limit losses if the market has gone against a trader’s established position, or it is used to initiate a new position. Thus, if a long currency position were held, the market would have to sell lower before the trader would be convinced that he was wrong. He would then liquidate only after the market had first declined.
Andrew, ForexMagicBullet
