Investing term

What is Stop-limit order?

A protective order that triggers a limit order when the price reaches a threshold.

A stop-limit order is a protective two-part order: when the price hits your "stop" trigger, it activates a limit order to buy or sell at your specified limit price or better. It combines a trigger with price protection — but the protection is also its weakness, since in a fast-moving market the price can blow past your limit and the order may never fill.

For example

You set a sell stop-limit triggered at $45 with a $44 limit; if the stock gaps straight to $40, the order activates but won't sell below $44 — leaving you still holding.

Stop-limit order is taught hands-on in Stage 7Brokers, Accounts & Getting Started.

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