When first starting in the trading world, it can be challenging to understand all the terminology and language used. This can often lead to confusion and frustration. In this article we will provide a beginner’s guide to trading terminology and language. By understanding the basics, you will be able to start trading with confidence.
What Is A Limit Order?
When you place a limit order, you are instructing your broker to buy or sell a security at a specific price. This can be helpful if you want to buy a stock that you expect to rise in value but don’t want to pay more than a certain amount.
Similarly, if you have a stock that you think is about to drop in value, you could place a limit order to sell it at a specific price and minimize your losses. There are two key things to remember about limit orders: first, they are not guaranteed to be executed; and second, they may only be partially completed.
Your order will not be filled if the stock price never reaches your target price. And even if the stock does reach your target price, there may not be enough shares available to fill your entire order. As a result, limiting orders can be somewhat risky. But if you know what you’re doing, they can also be a powerful tool for managing your investments.
Stop Loss Orders
A stop loss order is an order to sell a security when it reaches a specific price. This can be helpful if you want to limit your losses on a stock that you think is about to drop in value. For example, let’s say you bought shares of XYZ Company for $100 per share.
You could place a stop loss order at $95, instructing your broker to sell your shares if the price falls to $95. This would limit your losses to $500 (assuming you have 100 shares). Remember that stop loss orders are not guaranteed to be executed at your specified price.
And like limit orders, they may only be partially executed. So, if the stock price falls sharply, your stop loss order may not sell all of your shares. But if you use them carefully, stop loss orders can be a helpful way to protect your investments.
Market Orders
A market order is an order to buy or sell a security at the current market price. This is the most basic type of order and will almost always be executed immediately.
The downside of market orders is that you may not get the price you want. For example, if you are trying to buy a stock quickly rising in value, you may have to pay more than you wanted.
On the other hand, if you are trying to sell a stock that is quickly falling in value, you may have to accept a lower price than you wanted. Market orders are an excellent way to get into or out of a trade quickly and with minimal fuss.
Margin Trading
Margin trading is a type of trading where you borrow money from your broker to buy securities. This can be a risky strategy but can also lead to big profits. For example, let’s say you have $1000 to invest.
With margin trading, you could borrow $2000 from your broker and use the $3000 to buy shares of XYZ Company. If the stock price goes up, you will make a profit. But if the stock price goes down, you will lose money.
Margin trading can be a risky strategy, but it can also be very profitable. So, it might be worth considering if you’re willing to take on some risk. Just make sure you understand the risks before you get started.
How To Read Candlestick Charts
Candlestick charts are a type of chart that traders commonly use. They provide a lot of information in an easy-to-read format. Each candlestick represents the trading activity for a specific period.
The candlestick’s body shows the opening and closing prices for the time period. The wicks show the high and low prices for the time period. Candlestick charts can be beneficial for spotting trends and making trading decisions.
Learning to read candlestick charts might be a good idea if you’re just starting. Once you get the hang of it, they can be a valuable tool for your trading arsenal.
Hedging Your Bets – What It Is And How To Do It
Hedging is a type of investment that can help you protect your portfolio from losses. For example, let’s say you own shares of XYZ Company.
You could hedge your position by buying shares of ABC Company. If the stock price of XYZ Company goes down, the stock price of ABC Company might go up. This would offset your losses and help you protect your portfolio.
Hedging can be a complex strategy, but it can be a helpful tool for managing risk. If you’re interested in hedging, many resources are available to help you learn more about it.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the most important trading terms and strategies you should know. Of course, there is much more to learn. But if you’re just starting, this should give you a good foundation. With time and experience, you’ll become more familiar with the terminology and strategies.
