Good 'til Cancelled

A Good 'til Cancelled (GTC) order is a type of stock trading order that remains active until it is either filled or the trader cancels it. This means that a GTC order will remain open for an extended period of time, potentially for weeks or even months, until it is filled or the trader decides to cancel it.

When Are Good 'Till Cancelled (GTC) Orders Used?

GTC orders are typically used by traders who have a long-term investment strategy and are willing to wait for a specific price to buy or sell a stock. For example, a trader who believes that a certain stock will increase in value over the next several months may place a GTC buy order at a lower price, with the expectation that the stock will reach that price at some point in the future.

The Benefits of GTC Buy Orders

GTC buy orders can also be useful for traders who want to accumulate a certain stock over time, by placing small buy orders at regular intervals. This is known as dollar-cost averaging, which can be a good strategy to reduce the impact of volatility on the overall investment.

The Uses for GTC Sell Orders

GTC sell orders, on the other hand, can be useful for traders who want to lock in profits on a long-term investment, by placing a GTC sell order at a higher price than the current market price. This can be helpful for traders who want to protect their profits in case the stock price drops.

The Risks of Good 'Till Cancelled (GTC) Orders

It's important to note that while GTC orders can be useful for certain trading strategies, they also come with certain risks. For example, if a stock price drops significantly, a GTC buy order at a higher price may never be filled, and the trader may end up missing out on the opportunity to buy the stock at a lower price. Additionally, if the stock price rises significantly, a GTC sell order at a lower price may result in a missed opportunity to sell the stock at a higher price.

Conclusion

In summary, Good 'til Cancelled (GTC) orders are type of stock trading orders that remain active until filled or cancelled by the trader. These orders can be useful for traders with long-term investment strategies or those who want to accumulate or lock in profits over time. However, GTC orders come with certain risks and traders should be aware of these before placing a GTC order.