What is Bracket Order in Stock Market- Benefits & Examples

A bracket order is a day trading tactic where traders execute a purchase and sale order. A stop loss and a target price accompany this. This strategy doesn’t apply to standard trading practices. Its purpose is to enable automatic closure at a desirable price point by the conclusion of a trading day. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of this order hinges on the selection of stocks and the chosen price thresholds. Read on to know what is bracket order in details. 

What are bracket orders? 

To explain the concept of what is bracket order, it essentially merges three distinct orders into a single strategy. As its name implies, a bracket order is specifically crafted to encase your original order. Essentially, this involves the placement of two opposing orders alongside your initial one. Consequently, bracket order for options can be utilised for both buying and selling transactions. 

When your initial order is purchased, the stop-loss and take-profit orders are construed as sell orders. Conversely, if the initial order is a sell, both additional orders are regarded as buy orders.

Entry order

The entry order marks the outset of a bracket order and signifies the initial transaction you intend to make. It delineates the price at which you aim to enter the market, whether to purchase or sell a specific stock. This order acts as the foundational element for the entirety of the bracket order strategy.

Target order

The entry order signifies the commencement of a bracket order, representing the initial transaction you plan to execute. It specifies the price at which you aim to enter the market, whether to buy or sell a specific stock. This order serves as the fundamental component for the entirety of the bracket order strategy.

Stop-loss order

The stop loss order, as the third and equally vital element, is employed to minimise potential losses. This type of order will automatically establish the predetermined price of selling your position. It will help to limit the losses and serve as an effective risk management tool. Furthermore, the stop loss order will safeguard you against various unforeseen market downturns. 

Example of bracket orders

Let’s take into consideration an example of a bracket in order to under this concept better.

Suppose an investor submits a limit order to purchase company shares at Rs 100 per share. This order is accompanied by a stop-loss at Rs 92 per share and a target order at Rs 105 per share.

In this scenario, the investor’s primary position at Rs 100 is bracketed by a higher-priced and lower-priced limit order.

However, it’s important to note that only one of the two limit orders can be executed at a time.

Scenario 1: Once the investor sets a limit order at Rs 100, if the stock price increases to Rs 105, the target order will be automatically activated, resulting in the cancellation of the stop-loss order.

Scenario 2: If the stock price drops to the investor’s stop-loss limit, the target order will be invalidated as the transaction will be executed at Rs 95 per share.

Scenario 3: As bracket order in share market are primarily limit orders, there exists a possibility that the primary order may not be executed. In this instance, the primary order was a limit buy order set at Rs 100. If the stock price fails to reach Rs 100, the investor will be unable to purchase the stock initially.

However, in any of the three scenarios, if an order fails to be executed, the broker will cancel the bracket order at the conclusion of the trading day, as bracket orders cannot be carried forward to the next trading session.

To recap, a bracket order in share market consists of three components.

• The primary order which establishes the trader’s position.
• A stop-loss order.
• A target order is also known as a profit booking order by some.

How does bracket order work?

In a bracket order, the initial transaction can involve either buying or selling. However, the subsequent two orders are opposite to the original one.

If the original order is to purchase stocks, the other two will entail selling the stocks when the price reaches the specified limit. Typically, only the stop-loss or target limit will accompany the original order. However, if the trader opts not to place the original order, the other orders will also be nullified. This is because they are limit orders and not market orders.

The entire bracket order will get cancelled when the trader fails to initiate the original order. Moreover, it will not carry over to the next day because it is an intraday order. 

Advantages of using bracket orders

There are several benefits of bracket orders for traders. It can be a valuable tool in the market in the following ways.

Risk management

The most crucial advantage of bracket orders is their capacity to manage the risks efficiently. Traders may minimise possible losses and preserve their cash during extreme market downturns by establishing specified stop-loss levels. This automatic risk management function promotes discipline and avoids emotional decision-making, a significant problem in trading.

Automation and efficiency

Bracket order for options simplify the trading process by automating the execution of profit goals and stop-loss orders after initiating the first transaction. This eliminates the need for traders to examine deals constantly. It enables them to focus on new market chances, perform research, and simply take a break from the hectic trading environment.

Capitalising on market volatility

The stock market may be very volatile, with both possibilities and threats. Bracket Orders allow traders to profit from short-term market changes while maintaining preset exit points for earnings and losses. This flexibility enables traders to respond swiftly to shifting market circumstances and capitalise on possible price fluctuations.

Disciplined trading approach

Emotions may be a trader’s biggest enemy, leading to rash judgements that deviate from a well-thought-out trading strategy. Using Bracket Orders, traders stick to a specified strategy, decreasing the effect of emotions and encouraging a disciplined trading style. This promotes consistency and helps traders stay on track, especially during tumultuous market moments. 

Time management 

Trading may be taxing, especially for aggressive traders who must constantly check many positions. Bracket Orders save time by consolidating several orders into a single transaction. This efficiency enables traders to manage many deals at once while also freeing up time for in-depth research and analysis. 

Risk-reward balance

Bracket Orders allow traders to balance risk and return better. Traders may lock in profits when prices move in their favour by selecting profit target levels. At the same time, stop-loss orders safeguard against excessive losses, ensuring that a single bad market occurrence does not wipe away a large amount of cash. This risk-reward balance is critical for long-term trading success.

Bracket order vs cover orders

You must now the difference between cover order vs bracket order in the stock market. Cover orders share similarities with bracket orders, but they differ in that cover orders amalgamate two orders – the initial order and a stop-loss order. Despite this significant distinction, cover orders function much like bracket orders. They also employ a stop-loss order to liquidate your position when prices shift significantly in the opposite direction. These orders are designed to mitigate your exposure in the event of high price volatility.

Similarly, cover orders are squared off at the conclusion of the trading session. If the stop-loss order is not triggered, the initial order is subsequently cancelled.

Conclusion

Now you’re familiar with what a bracket order entails. It’s essential to consider whether investing in them is suitable for you. Individuals should engage in such orders when they comprehensively understand how the stock market operates. They must be aware of the intricacies of intraday trading.

Various technical indicators such as candlestick charts and momentum oscillators are available to assess. These indicators truly comprehend the stocks required for intraday trading. Traders with complete knowledge and expertise can close profitable sessions within the same trading day.

While it may initially appear daunting, traders will gradually become more adept. To make informed decisions in the stock market, conducting thorough study and research on bracket orders is imperative. The aforementioned insights offer a brief understanding of what bracket orders entail.

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