Example of how to attach a bracket to a preexisting position by defining an OCA group for the stop and profit taking orders.
Note: Because the OCA procedure is an automated process, there is no guarantee that requested cancellations or modifications will reach the specific exchange before an order has been executed.
The ScaleTrader is a sophisticated trading algorithm which allows one to enter a large quantity order that is executed in a series of increments or components, with each component being executed at a progressively better price.
There are a variety of symbol conventions for denoting Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares (CUSIP 084670207). On the IBKR trading platforms, this security is designated by entering BRK, then a space and then B (BRK B). This compares to Bloomberg which uses the convention BRK/B and Yahoo Finance which uses BRK-B.
It should also be noted that this security has been designated as a 10-share unit issue by its primary listing exchange, NYSE Arca, due to its relatively low trading volume. A round lot in this security is therefore set at 10 shares as opposed to the standard round lot unit of 100 shares. If your opening buy or sell order is for an amount less than 10 shares, it is considered an odd-lot and subject to special handling considerations. Please review our website under the Trading and then Order Types menu options for additional details.
Stop orders are the simpler of the two. Stop orders are triggered when the market trades at or through the stop price (depending upon trigger method, the default for non-NASDAQ listed stock is last price), and then a market order is transmitted to the exchange. A buy stop is placed above the current market price. A sell stop order is placed below the current market price. Stop orders may get traders in or out of the market. The risk associated with stop orders is that they don’t guarantee a price. When a buy stop order triggers, the market order is transmitted and you will pay the prevailing ask price in the market when received. When a sell stop order triggers, the market order is transmitted and you will pay the prevailing bid price in the market when received.
Stop limit orders are slightly more complicated. Account holders will set two prices with a stop limit order; the stop price and the limit price. When the stop price is triggered, the limit order is sent to the exchange. A limit order will then be working, at or better than the limit price you entered. With a stop limit order, traders are guaranteed that, if they receive an execution, it will be at the price they indicated or better. The risk associated with a stop limit order is that the limit order may not be marketable and, thus, no execution may occur. A sell stop limit order is placed below the current market price. When the stop price is triggered, the limit order is sent to the exchange and a sell limit order is now working at, or higher than, the price you entered. A buy stop limit order is placed above the current market price. When the stop price is triggered, the limit order is sent to the exchange and a buy limit order is now working at or lower than the price you entered.
Be aware that if you enter these orders on the unintended side of the market, you could be filled immediately at the current market price. Consider for example a buy stop order. Buy stop orders should be entered above the current market price. When the market trades up to or through the stop price, a market order is sent. If an account holder were to incorrectly enter a buy stop order below the current market price, the system would correctly note that the market had already traded through the stop price, and a market order would be instantly sent.
In the case of orders that have been placed, but do not appear to be acknowledged, you must contact IBKR via telephone immediately. We will need to contact the exchange in these cases. Communication through web tickets is not real time, and can not be used for issues of an urgent nature. Requests for trade cancellations/fills must be made within the time limits set by the relevant exchange. Many equity exchanges have a notification period of 30 minutes or less. Derivative exchanges have notification periods as short as 5 minutes. Requests for trade cancellations should be made by telephone or the Bust Request tool (no email or other non real-time method) to IBKR within 15 minutes of the erroneous transaction. IBKR requires sufficient time to prepare the necessary information required by the exchanges and this time is included in the exchange-specified reporting period. Requests for cancellation are always handled on a best-efforts basis and IBKR cannot guarantee the reporting time requirements. In addition, exchanges have bust request fees that account holders must agree to before IBKR can proceed with the request. The fees vary by exchange, and you will be informed of what that fee is for the exchange in question prior to the bust request filing.
Towards the top right corner of the TWS Order Management Screen, you will see a "Trader Workstation/Ticker Lookup" search field. Immediately to the left of this you will see a wrench shaped icon. Click the icon. From here, click on the Order Columns tab from the TWS Configuration window. On the right side under Available Columns, click on Order Attributes to expand that selection and see all of your choices. Click on OCA Group so that it is highlighted. Then click on the Add button. This will add OCA Group to the Shown Columns list. Now click on the Apply button at the bottom of the window, and then the OK button. The OCA Group column should now be on your TWS Order Management page.
Note: Because the OCA procedure is an automated process, there is no guarantee that requested cancellations and modifications will reach the specific exchange before an order has been executed.
The goal of this article is to provide proper understanding of exchange fees and add/remove liquidity fees for the Tiered commission schedule.
The concept of adding or removing liquidity is applicable to both stocks and stock/index options. Whether or not an order removes or adds liquidity is dependent on that order being marketable or non-marketable.
Marketable orders REMOVE liquidity.
Marketable orders are either market orders, OR buy/sell limit orders whose limit is at or above/below the current market.
1. For a marketable buy limit order, the limit price is at or above the Ask.
2. For a marketable sell limit order, the limit price is at or below the Bid.
Example:
XYZ’s stock current ASK (offer) size/price is 400 shrs at 46.00. You enter a buy limit order for 100 XYZ stock @ 46.01. This order will be considered marketable because an immediate execution will take place. If there is an exchange charge for removing liquidity, the customer will be charged that fee.