29 March 2024 - 6min Read

Power up your knowledge

What is a trailing stop — and how to use it?

We are always looking for new strategies to help limit potential losses.  The most common tool in the risk management armoury is a stop-loss order, which states that if an asset's price hits a specified level, the position will be closed at or near the stop-loss order price to prevent additional losses.

What if you could automatically move your stop loss in the direction of your trade and lock in a profit? That's right. You can do it with a trailing stop order. A trailing stop is set on an open position at a predetermined distance from the current price of an asset. Points are used to calculate distance. The trailing stop's primary goal is to lock in profits. Utilising a trailing stop also limits potential losses whilst setting a tolerance as to how much of your locked-in profits you are comfortable risking for potential future gains on the specific trade.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • A trailing stop locks in gains or restricts losses when a transaction progresses in the trader's favour.
  • Trailing stops only move when the price moves in the right direction. It does not reverse its course after it has moved to lock in a profit or lessen a loss.
  • When the asset's price hits the stop price, the trade is closed at the then-available price.

Marc Aucamp

Content Writer

Liked this article? Share now on socials

What is a trailing stop?

A trailing stop is a stop-loss order placed at a certain distance (measured in a number of points) from an asset's current market price. For a short position, a trailing stop is placed above the current price, and for a long position, it is placed below the current price. Each broker normally has a minimum amount of points; the trailing stop needs to be placed above or below the market price.

How does trailing stop work?

Trailing stops allow you to lock in gains while leaving the trade open until the price of the instrument reaches your trailing stop level or a take profit limit (if you have set any). The stop-loss order is executed, and your position will be closed when the market price hits your trailing stop.

If the market continues to move in a favoured direction, so does the trailing stop, which maintains the stop loss at a predetermined distance from the current price. When the market stops moving in a profitable direction, the trailing stop doesn't move.

If the market price moves in your favour but then reverses, the trailing stop will not reverse. If the reversal goes through the trailing stop, the position will be closed, either limiting your loss or locking in a profit.  This means you can step away from the computer screen and have confidence that your positions are being properly managed. 

Example of a trailing stop

Let's understand this with an example:

You have a long position on the EURUSD at 1.1250, and you put a trailing stop 100 pips below your opening price. The trailing stop will shift (or trail) your open position to the upside with each pip movement. The trailing stop will be moved to 1.1151 if the market price rises to 1.1251. The trailing stop will move up to 1.1180 if the market price hits 1.1280.

Nevertheless, if the price reverses after reaching 1.1280, the trailing stop will remain at its most recent level of 1.1180. Trailing stops, as you can see, automatically lower your potential loss when compared to regular stop-loss orders since they tighten with each new favourable price tick.

Lastly, if you're wondering if trailing stops can expire, they have no time limit. You may keep them active indefinitely, although they are automatically cancelled when your position is closed.

The markets are moving.

Start trading now.

Get startedarrow-icon
arrow-icon

Benefits of a Trailing Stop

Secure partial profits while lowering the risk

Unlike a normal stop loss order, the trailing stop allows you to lock in profits automatically. As a result, it serves as a seat belt for your position. Not only that, but it allows you to lock in even larger profits if the market continues to move in your favour.

Dynamic stop loss

The trailing stop changes in real time in response to price movement. As a result, it's a fantastic risk management tool, allowing you to capitalise on sharp market moves while protecting against a market trend reversal. 

Time saving

Since the trailing stop handles it for us, we don't have to be in front of the screen to manually modify the stop loss when the market moves. Speed is of the essence when market volatility increases, and manual position management may be time-consuming. 

Ideal for all trading styles

Trailing stops protect day traders and scalpers from sharp market moves. In addition, the trailing stop enables them to have a stop loss that changes with their positions in real-time.

The trailing stop is very useful for swing and trend-following traders who hold their positions for days or weeks.

Risks of trailing stop

Not appropriate for extremely volatile or range markets.

The trailing stop is particularly useful if you are trading in the direction of a  trend.  But it may be difficult to use in markets which are stuck in tight ranges. In times of extreme market volatility, there is the danger that trailing stops get triggered quickly on wild price swings.

There are two approaches you may take:

Increase the trailing stop loss distance to endure short-term corrections without systematically closing the order (but this also raises your risk).

Deactivate the trailing stop when you identify a ranging market or a period of extreme volatility. Instead, utilise a traditional stop loss until the market returns to the trend.

Final thoughts

To summarise, a trailing stop-loss is a free risk management tool that may help you reduce risk and maximise your profits by moving your stop orders automatically. Since the trailing stop only changes when the market price moves in your favour, it's a good trading tool that could help you lock in profits automatically without constantly moving your stop orders manually. 

A trailing stop is strategically implemented once a position is already in profit. Your first and foremost priority is to protect capital!


People also asked

/

There are  many ways to determine where you should place a trailing stop loss, but the most popular methods all involve technical analysis:
Calculate the number of pips using the ‘Average True Range’  (ATR).
Count the pips from your opening level to the next significant area of support/resistance.
Use Fibonacci Retracement levels to calculate the pips from your opening level to significant Fibonacci percentages.

/

Trailing stops are useful because they help you manage your positions automatically, moving your stop to reduce your risk for as long as the market moves in your favour. If the market continues to move in your favour, without correcting and triggering your trailing stop, then you could lock in a profit. All this is carried out automatically, helping traders in dealing with the psychological effects of turbulent markets.

Suggested articles

See allarrow-icon
arrow-icon

Gain the edge

Sign up and unlock early
access to exclusive trading
insights and educational tips.

I confirm I am 18 years old or above.

By signing up to hear from us, you agree to our terms and privacy policy.

Please keep me updated on Trade Nation’s sponsorships, news, events and offers.

The markets are moving.

Start trading now.

Get startedarrow-icon
arrow-icon

Trade on our
award-winning
platform


en-bs

Payment methods

Visa card payment method
Mastercard payment method
Skrill payment method

Trade on

Regulatory bodies

UK - FCA

Australia - ASIC

Seychelles - FSA

Bahamas - SCB

South Africa - FSCA

Customer support

Sponsors of your favourite teams

The legal stuff

Financial Spread Trades and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 84.7% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Refer to our legal documents.

Trade Nation is a trading name of Trade Nation Financial UK Ltd, a financial services company registered in England & Wales under company number 07073413, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 525164. Our registered office is 14 Bonhill Street, London, EC2A 4BX, United Kingdom.

Trade Nation is a trading name of Trade Nation Australia Pty Ltd, a financial services company registered in Australia under number ACN 158 065 635, is authorised and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), with licence number AFSL 422661. Our registered office is Level 17, 123 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.

Trade Nation is a trading name of Trade Nation Ltd., a financial services company registered in the Bahamas under number 203493 B, is authorised and regulated by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB), with licence number SIA-F216. Our registered office is No. 3 Bayside Executive Park, West Bay Street & Blake Road, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Trade Nation is a trading name of Trade Nation Financial Markets Ltd, a financial services company registered in the Seychelles under number 810589-1, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSA) with licence number SD150. Our registered office is CT House, Office 6B, Providence, Mahe, Seychelles.

Trade Nation is a trading name of Trade Nation Financial (Pty) Ltd, a financial services company registered in South Africa under number 2018 / 418755 / 07, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), with licence number 49846. Our registered office is 19 9th Street, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2198 South Africa. 

The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States or any particular country outside the UK, Australia, South Africa, The Bahamas or Seychelles and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

© 2019-2024 Trade Nation. All Rights Reserved