How to set a stock to sell if it drops to a certain price?

Asked by: Johnny Thompson  |  Last update: March 10, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (73 votes)

A sell stop order is entered at a stop price below the current market price. If the stock drops to the stop price (or trades below it), the stop order to sell is triggered and becomes a market order to be executed at the market's current price.

How to sell a stock when it drops to a certain price?

A sell stop order, often referred to as a stop-loss order, sets a command to sell a security if it hits a certain price. When the security reaches the stop price, the order executes, and shares or contracts are sold at the market. The sell stop is always placed below the security's market price.

How to sell a stock automatically at a certain price?

A stop order, also referred to as a stop-loss order is an order to buy or sell a stock once the price of the stock reaches the specified price, known as the stop price. When the stop price is reached, a stop order becomes a market order.

Can you specify which stock to sell?

The specific shares method provides an investor with the opportunity to minimize their capital gain or maximize their capital loss—and thereby lower their tax liability for the year—by choosing to sell some but not all of their shares of a particular stock.

What is the 7% stop-loss rule?

Always sell a stock it if falls 7%-8% below what you paid for it. This basic principle helps you always cap your potential downside. If you're following rules for how to buy stocks and a stock you own drops 7% to 8% from what you paid for it, something is wrong.

How to set Sell Limit Price a stock on RobinHood

18 related questions found

What is the 3-5-7 rule in stocks?

The 3 5 7 rule works on a simple principle: never risk more than 3% of your trading capital on any single trade; limit your overall exposure to 5% of your capital on all open trades combined; and ensure your winning trades are at least 7% more profitable than your losing trades.

What is the 2% stop-loss rule?

One popular method is the 2% Rule, which means you never put more than 2% of your account equity at risk (Table 1). For example, if you are trading a $50,000 account, and you choose a risk management stop loss of 2%, you could risk up to $1,000 on any given trade.

What is it called when you set a stock to sell at a certain price?

A limit order is an order to either buy stock at a designated maximum price per share or sell stock at a minimum price share. For buy limit orders, you're essentially setting a price ceiling—the highest price you'd be willing to pay for each share.

What is the wash sale rule?

Under the wash sale rule, your loss is disallowed for tax purposes if you sell stock or other securities at a loss and then buy substantially identical stock or securities within 30 days before or 30 days after the sale.

Can I set a price to sell my stock?

A limit order is an order to buy or sell a stock with a restriction on the maximum price to be paid (with a buy limit) or the minimum price to be received (with a sell limit). If the order is filled, it will only be at the specified limit price or better.

What is the option to sell shares at a certain price?

A limit order in the financial markets is a direction to purchase or sell a stock or other security at a specified price or better. This stipulation allows traders to better control the prices at which they trade.

Which is typically considered the riskiest type of investment?

Equities are generally considered the riskiest class of assets. Dividends aside, they offer no guarantees, and investors' money is subject to the successes and failures of private businesses in a fiercely competitive marketplace.

What is a trailing stop?

A trailing stop is set at a percentage level or certain amount of points away from the market price – this distance is known as the trailing step – and the stop will move to maintain that distance from the current price.

How do you automatically sell stock at a certain price?

A limit order executes a trade at a specified price or better. A stop loss order (also called a stop order) triggers a market order to sell a stock if it reaches a specific price to prevent losses.

Is a call option bullish or bearish?

Is Buying a Call Bullish or Bearish? Buying calls is bullish because the buyer only profits if the price of the shares rises. Conversely, selling call options is bearish because the seller profits if the shares do not rise.

Do I owe money if my stock price drops?

Generally, no. You don't owe money just because a stock goes down.

Do wash sales get reported to the IRS?

The wash sale is reported in Box 1g of Form 1099-B. Note: Wash sales are in scope only if reported on Form 1099-B or on a brokerage or mutual fund statement.

What is the 30 day trading rule?

If you sell a security at a loss and buy the same or a substantially identical security within 30 calendar days before or after the sale, you won't be able to take a loss for that security on your current-year tax return.

How do you sell a stock if it goes below a certain price?

A sell stop limit is a conditional order to a broker to sell the stock when its price falls up to a specific price – i.e., stop price. A sell stop price has two price components – i.e., a stop price and a limit price.

Is it better to buy at market Open or Close?

Timing the stock market is difficult, but understanding when to trade stocks can help your portfolio. The best time of day to buy stocks is usually in the morning, shortly after the market opens. Mondays and Fridays tend to be good days to trade stocks, while the middle of the week is less volatile.

What is it called when you buy something and then sell it for a higher price?

Arbitrage is the practice of taking advantage of a price difference between two retailers for your own benefit. You purchase a product at a discounted price from an in-store or online retailer and resell that product for a higher price on Amazon or any other marketplace.

What is the golden rule for stop-loss?

The Golden Rule is all positions must have a Stop Loss in place. Have the discipline to place a protective Stop the moment you've entered a position. Do not wait; the Stop should have been part of your trade plan. Only move Stop-Loss positions forward, never back.

What is the 3000 loss rule?

Capital losses that exceed capital gains in a year may be used to offset capital gains or as a deduction against ordinary income up to $3,000 in any one tax year. Net capital losses in excess of $3,000 can be carried forward indefinitely until the amount is exhausted.

What is the 6% stop-loss rule?

The 6% stop-loss rule is another risk management strategy used in trading. It involves setting your stop-loss order at a level where, if the trade moves against you, you would only lose a maximum of 6% of your total trading capital on that particular trade.