There is a great range of orders that traders can give to precisely control the execution of their order. Not all brokers will accept the same range of order types, but I list below the most common types of orders that most brokers should accept.
Market Order
An order to buy or sell at the current market price.
Limit Order
An order to buy or sell at a specified price or better.
Stop-Loss Order
An order to close a position if the market price hits a certain level. Note however, that this type of order means that after the stop price is hit the order becomes a market order and you may suffer slippage.
Limit Entry Order
An order to buy below the market or sell above the market at a specified price. You use this type of entry order if you feel that the currency pair will reverse direction from that price.
Stop-Entry Order
An order to buy above the market or sell below the market at a specified price. You use this type of entry order if you feel that the currency pair will continue in the same direction. Just like with a stop order, you may suffer slippage when using this type of order.
Stop-Limit Order
An order to buy above the market or sell below the market at a specified price only. When your price is hit your order becomes a limit order which prevents slippage. However, there is a chance that in a fast-moving market your order won’t be filled at all.
One Triggers Other(OTO)/ Parent and Contingent
A set of orders whereby when the parent order is filled, the contingent order is placed. This is commonly used to make sure a stop and/or limit order is placed as soon as an entry order is filled.
One Cancels Other (OCO)
A set of orders whereby when one order is filled, the other order is cancelled. This is commonly used to set both a profit-taking limit order and a stop-loss order as soon as an entry order is filled.
