Stop order | Robinhood

Stop order

A stop order is an order to buy or sell a stock or ETF once the stock reaches a specific price, known as the stop price.

When the stock hits your stop price, the stop order triggers a market order and is executed at the best price currently available during market hours.

Stop orders are used to trigger a purchase should the stock price hit or go above the stop price. Or trigger a sell should the stock price hit or drop below the stop price.

Because these orders become market orders when triggered, at market open or during periods of market volatility, the trade may execute at a price far away from the stop price.

Buy stop order

With a buy stop order, you can set a stop price above the current price of the stock. If the stock rises to your stop price, your buy stop order triggers a buy market order during market hours.

Example

MEOW is currently trading at $6 per share. You want to wait to purchase MEOW until it reaches $8 because you think it’ll rise much higher, but only after it reaches $8, so you set your stop price to $8.

  • If MEOW rises to $8 or higher, your buy stop order triggers a buy market order. Then, MEOW is purchased at the best price currently available to Robinhood.
  • If MEOW stays below $8, a market order isn’t triggered, and no shares are purchased.

This example is shown for illustrative purposes only. Note that in some cases only a portion or none of your order may get executed if there are insufficient shares available at certain prices. Understanding order types can help you manage risk and execution speed. However, you can never eliminate market and investment risks entirely. It’s best to choose an order type based on your investment goals and objectives.

Sell stop order

With a sell stop order, you can set a stop price below the current price of the stock. If the stock falls to your stop price, your sell stop order triggers a sell market order during market hours.

Note

Stop orders created incorrectly or at a price that can’t be executed may be rejected. Check out Why was my order rejected for more details.

Example

You purchased MEOW for $10 a few months ago. It’s currently trading at $20 per share ($10 unrealized profit). Your goal is to make at least $5 per share if the price were to drop. So you create a sell stop order at $16.50. If MEOW reverses itself and starts to drop below the stop price of $16.50 it triggers a sell market order.

  • If MEOW falls to $16.50 or lower, your sell stop order triggers a sell market order. Then MEOW is sold at the best price currently available.
  • If MEOW stays above $16.50, a market order isn’t triggered, and you keep your shares.

This example is shown for illustrative purposes only. Note that in some cases only a portion or none of your order may execute if shares aren’t available at certain prices. Understanding order types can help you manage risk and execution speed. However, you can never eliminate market and investment risks entirely. It’s best to choose an order type based on your investment goals and objectives.

Over-reserving buying power

To protect your account against overspending, we’ll over-reserve your buying power for stop buy orders and trailing stop buy orders.

  • For Good-for-Day orders that you enter during market hours, we’ll reserve an additional 5% of buying power.
  • For other orders, we’ll reserve an additional 10% of buying power.
Keep in mind

These percentages might change in response to extreme volatility.

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All investing involves risk.

Brokerage services are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, (“RHF”) a registered broker-dealer (member SIPC) and clearing services through Robinhood Securities, LLC, (“RHS”) a registered broker dealer (member SIPC). Cryptocurrency services are offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (“RHC”) (NMLS ID: 1702840). The Robinhood Money spending account is offered through Robinhood Money, LLC (“RHY”) (NMLS ID: 1990968), a licensed money transmitter. Credit card products are offered by Robinhood Credit, Inc. (“RCT“) (NMLS ID: 1781911 and issued by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.

The Robinhood Cash Card is a prepaid card issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard® International Incorporated. RHF, RHY, RHC and RHS are affiliated entities and wholly owned subsidiaries of Robinhood Markets, Inc. RHF, RHY, RHC and RHS are not banks. Securities products offered by RHF are not FDIC insured and involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Cryptocurrencies held in RHC accounts are not covered by FDIC or SIPC protections and are not regulated by FINRA. RHY products are not subject to SIPC coverage but funds held in the Robinhood Money spending account and Robinhood Cash Card account may be eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance (review the Robinhood Cash Card Agreement and the Robinhood Spending Account Agreement).

Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all customers. Customers must read and understand the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before engaging in any options trading strategies. Options transactions are often complex and may involve the potential of losing the entire investment in a relatively short period of time. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk, including the potential for losses that may exceed the original investment amount.

Commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs and options refers to $0 commissions for Robinhood Financial self-directed individual cash or margin brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities and certain OTC securities electronically. Keep in mind, other fees such as trading (non-commission) fees, Gold subscription fees, wire transfer fees, and paper statement fees may apply to your brokerage account. Please see Robinhood Financial's Fee Schedule to learn more.

© 2024 Robinhood. All rights reserved.