What is a market order and how do I use it?

A market order is an order to buy or sell a stock at the market's best available price. It typically ensures an execution but doesn't guarantee a specific price. When the primary goal is to execute the trade immediately, a market order is optimal. It's generally appropriate when you think a stock is priced right, when you're sure you want a fill on your order, or when you want an immediate execution.

A few caveats: A stock's quote typically includes the highest bid potential buyers are willing to pay to acquire the stock, the lowest offer potential sellers are willing to accept to sell the stock, and the last price at which the stock traded. However, the last trade price may not necessarily be current, particularly in the case of less-liquid stocks, whose last trade may have occurred minutes or hours ago. This might also be the case in fast-moving markets when stock prices can change significantly in a short period of time. Therefore, when placing a market order, the current bid and offer prices are generally of greater importance than the last trade price.

Market orders are usually placed when the market is already open. A market order placed when markets are closed would be executed at the next market open, which could be significantly higher or lower from its prior close. Between market sessions, numerous factors can impact a stock's price, such as the release of earnings, company news or economic data, or unexpected events that affect an entire industry, sector, or the market as a whole.

What is a limit order and how does it work?

A limit order is an order to buy or sell a stock with a restriction on the maximum price to be paid (with a buy limit) or the minimum price to be received (with a sell limit). If the order is filled, it will only be at the specified limit price or better. However, there is no assurance of execution. A limit order may be appropriate when you think you can buy at a price lower than—or sell at a price higher than—the current quote.