Knowledge Base
Identify the different order types and their processing on organized markets
Which order type allows an investor to specify a maximum price for a purchase or a minimum price for a sale, but risks not being executed if the market does not reach that level?
A limit order allows the investor to specify a maximum purchase price or minimum sale price. However, it carries a risk of non-execution if the market never reaches the specified level. For example, on Euronext Paris, approximately 85% of submitted orders are limit orders, demonstrating their importance. The detailed explanation includes the limit order mechanism and its inherent risk of non-execution.
Which mechanism protects against excessive price movements by suspending trading when the price breaches predefined thresholds?
The trading halt is a mechanism that automatically suspends trading when the price breaches predefined variation thresholds (e.g. +/-5% or +/-10%). This prevents excessive movements and gives participants time to reassess the situation. This explanation includes typical thresholds and the purpose of the mechanism.
What is the main characteristic of a market order?
A market order is distinguished by its absence of a price limit, which gives it maximum priority over all other order types. It offers certainty of immediate execution at the best available price, but without control over that price, which can be unfavourable in volatile conditions. This characteristic is crucial for understanding its use and risks.
What is distinctive about an OCO (One Cancels Other) order?
An OCO order links two orders so that the execution of one automatically cancels the other. For example, it can be used to combine a take-profit order and a stop-loss order on the same position. This feature allows two opposing strategies to be managed automatically. The explanation includes a concrete example to illustrate practical use.
Categorize items by dragging them to the appropriate zones
Items to categorize:
Orders defined by their relationship to price
Triggered orders
Orders defined by their time validity
This question asks you to classify orders according to their main category. For example, market orders and limit orders are defined by their relationship to price, while stop-loss and stop-limit orders are triggered orders. Day orders and GTC orders are defined by their time validity. This classification tests the understanding of order categories and sub-categories.
Iceberg order
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An iceberg order is a hidden order where only part of the total quantity is displayed in the order book. Each time the visible tranche is executed, a new tranche of the same amount appears until the total quantity is exhausted. For example, an order for 50,000 shares may only display 1,000 shares at a time. This definition includes the mechanism and a concrete example to illustrate the concept.
A stop-loss order automatically converts into a market order as soon as the threshold is reached or breached.
This statement is true. A stop-loss order remains latent until the threshold is breached, at which point it converts into a market order to be executed at the best available price. This limits losses in case of a decline for sell orders or captures an upward move for buy orders. The explanation includes the conversion mechanism and its primary purpose.
A GTD (Good Till Date) order remains valid until a date specified by the investor.
This statement is true. A GTD order remains valid until a specified date, unlike a day order which is cancelled at end of session or a GTC order which remains active until execution or manual cancellation. This explanation clarifies the difference between these order types based on their time validity.