What Is a Trailing Stop Loss Order?

Most investors will agree that the goal of investing is typically to make a profit. Knowing exactly how to do that can require not only stock market understanding but investing tools to help meet the investor’s goals. One invaluable tool in helping protect your profits is a stop loss order or a trailing stop loss order.

Stop Loss Order

Stop Loss Order Chart


With a stop loss order, the investor authorizes the broker to sell stock at a predetermined price point. For example, if the price of the stock is $100.00, you can set your stop loss order at 25%. If the price of the stock drops to $75.00, a market order will automatically be triggered by the brokerage company and the stock will be sold at the current price ($75.00). This helps to ensure the investor will cap their losses on the stock to around 25%.

Trailing Stop Loss Order

Trailing Stop Loss Order Chart

A trailing stop loss order is even more helpful. Operating on the same basic premise as a stop loss order, your losses will be capped at the stated percentage. Additionally, there is the added capability of setting a trailing amount which makes the order more flexible. As the price of the stock goes up, your stop loss “profit” is allowed to rise as well. Essentially the price at which the stock should be sold also rises.

For example, let’s say the stock purchase price is $100.00, and your trailing stop order is 25%. If the stock drops to $75.00, the stock is sold. However, if the price rises to $200.00, by using a trailing stop loss order new threshold is set at $150.00. If the price of the stock drops below that point ($150.00), a market order will automatically be triggered by the brokerage company and the stock will be sold at that price ($150.00). You realize a profit on the stock along with the assurance that your losses do not exceed 25% of the stocks highest price.

Having this capability to prevent losses from plummeting while protecting your profits helps manage your investments more effectively. Being able to do both automatically through a trailing stop loss order is the ultimate convenience.

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