Definition
The term buy minus order refers to broker instructions to purchase a stock at a price that is below the current market. Buy minus orders can also be combined with limit orders, and are placed by traders hoping to take advantage of a short-term decline in a stock's price.
Explanation
A trader will issue a buy minus order to their broker when they would like to purchase a stock under very specific circumstances. Generally, there are two market conditions that can result in the execution of a buy minus order:
The price paid for the stock cannot be higher than the last sale's price if that sale was a zero minus tick or a minus tick.
The price paid for the stock cannot be higher than the last price minus a specified change in the stock's price if the last sale was a zero plus or plus tick.
When combined with a limit order, the trader can effectively place an upper threshold value on the acquisition price of the stock.
Example
A trader would like to purchase shares of Company XYZ, but she would like to take advantage of a near term decline in the price of the company's stock. The trader places a buy minus order for 1,000 shares of stock at a limit price of $20.00; however, the current market price is $20.50.
This trade will execute if the price of Company XYZ's stock ticks down to $20.00, or moves past $20.00.
Related Terms
- The term scale order refers to a series of limit orders of progressively increasing or decreasing prices. Scale orders are used by traders to ensure large transactions are not subject to deteriorating prices.
Moneyzine EditorSeptember 21st, 2023 - The term round lot refers to an order that is a multiple of the normal unit of trading for that security. A round lot for common stock is any order that is a multiple of 100 shares.Moneyzine EditorNovember 6th, 2024
- The term Order Protection Rule refers to a market requirement that ensures traders receive an execution price equivalent to the best that is offered on all exchanges that trade in the security. The Order Protection Rule is a provision of Regulation National Market System.Moneyzine EditorNovember 6th, 2024
- The term odd lot refers to an order that is not a multiple of the normal unit of trading for that security. An odd lot for common stock is any order that is not a multiple of 100 shares.Moneyzine EditorNovember 6th, 2024
- The term sell plus order refers to broker instructions to sell a stock at a price that is above the current market. Sell plus orders are placed by traders hoping to take advantage of a short-term advance in a stock's market price.Moneyzine EditorNovember 6th, 2024
