Trailing stop-loss

A conventional stop-loss will ensure you get out of the market at a fixed price above or below your initial trading price. A trailing stop allows you to keep more of your profits.

As an investor, avoiding big losses is at least as important as making profits. For example, if an initial investment of £1,000 falls in value to, say, just £500 - a 50% drop - you'll need to double your money just to break even. Here's where stop-loss orders come in.

A conventional stop-loss will simply ensure you get out of the market at a fixed price above or below your initial trading price.However, a trailing stop allows you to keep more of your profits.

For example, say you set a trailing stop at 25%, having bought shares for £10 each. The first trailing stop-loss kicks in at £7.50. If the share price then rises to £15, the new stop-loss level becomes £11.25, locking in a £1.25 minimum profit even if prices fall.Usually you'll pay a broker a bit more for this type of trailing stop-loss order.

Most Popular

Best savings accounts – June 2023
Savings

Best savings accounts – June 2023

Interest rates have been creeping up - we look at the best savings accounts on the market right now.
6 Jun 2023
Nationwide to give £100 cash boost to customers
Personal finance

Nationwide to give £100 cash boost to customers

Nationwide Building Society is giving customers £100 as it reinvests profits. Dubbed the Nationwide Fairer Share scheme, we look at who is eligible.
22 May 2023
Holiday rip-off: Millions of travellers hit with hidden costs by using debit card abroad
Personal finance

Holiday rip-off: Millions of travellers hit with hidden costs by using debit card abroad

A family of four on a week-long trip to France could pay an extra £212 in fees by using their everyday bank card compared to the lowest-cost option, a…
23 May 2023