Fast Facts: Trading Stocks in a Fast Moving Market

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissionthe price that second, not necessarily the price
warns investors that buying and selling "hot"set at purchase time.
stocks that have the tendency to rise and fallFor example, when you place an order for a $10
quickly can be dangerous if unexpected delaysstock, placing a limit order will ensure that you
occur. Without even realizing it, investors can finddon't end up paying $35. The same is true for
themselves losing money.selling. The stock will sell when it hits the target
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissionlimit, eliminating sudden losses. The risk here is a
warns investors that buying and selling "hot"loss of control to hold certain stock just a little
stocks that have the tendency to rise and falllonger in the hopes that it will continue to rise.
quickly can be dangerous if unexpected delaysOnce it hits the selling target, it is sold.
occur. Without even realizing it, investors can findRemember, Online Trading Isn't Instantaneous
themselves losing money.Trading online can feature its own dangers.
Just because you can access your account online,Problems with modems, servers, or delayed
doesn't necessarily mean that your trades arebroker-dealer hardware can all cause a delay or
instantaneous. Limit your losses in thesefailure in an immediate stock trade. Know what
fast-moving high tech markets by:trading alternatives your firm offers (telephone,
·knowing what you are buyingfax, etc), in the event a technological problem
·understanding the risks involved in yourinterrupts your transaction.
tradeAvoid Double Buying/Selling
·know the trading process for fast-movingToo often investors mistakenly think that their
marketsorder did not go through and place another order.
Guard against some of the most commonThis can cause them to buy stock they did not
problems investors encounter in fast-movingwant, or even sell stock they did not own in the
markets.first place. Be sure to check with your broker on
Market Orders vs. Limit Orderswhat to do if you aren't sure if your trade has
When stocks drop or soar suddenly, being stuckgone through.
in the process of trading can mean the differenceChoose the Best Broker
between making a sizable profit, and losing aBuying and selling in a fast-paced market takes a
bundle. Delays can develop in fast-movingbroker who's capable of handling transactions
markets, slowing down executions and tradequickly. There are no Securities and Exchange
confirmations. What you thought you were sellingCommission rules that require any trade to be
at one price, may be end up selling for quiteexecuted in a specific amount of time. Finding a
another. Avoid buying and selling at prices higherbroker that doesn't delay is up to you, the
or lower than you expected by placing limit orderinvestor. Take your time and research brokers
instead of a market order. Limit orders arecarefully in order to avoid losing important assets
executed automatically when they reach a setunexpectedly.
upon price, unlike a market order which is filled at