What is a take-profit order (T/P)?

One kind of limit order that indicates the precise price at which to exit an open trade profitably is called a take-profit order (T/P). The take-profit order is only completed if the security’s price exceeds the limit.

Basics of a Take-Profit Order

Traders often use take-profit orders to manage open positions in combination with stop-loss orders (S/L). The trade is closed for profit if the security reaches the take-profit level and the T/P order is executed. The S/L order is executed, and the position is closed at a loss if the security hits the stop-loss threshold. The difference between these two points and the market price affects the transaction’s risk-to-reward ratio in part.

Using a take-profit order can relieve the trader of manually executing a transaction or self-doubt. On the other hand, take-profit orders are executed at the best price available, independent of the performance of the underlying investment. The stock may begin to break higher, but the T/P order may execute immediately, costing investors a lot of potential.

The most significant users of take-profit orders trade short-term and want to control their risk. This is so they don’t have to take a chance on a potential market decline in the future by exiting a transaction as soon as their intended profit objective is met. Long-term traders dislike such orders because they lower their profits.

Take-profit orders are often made using money management strategies like the Kelly Criterion or at levels determined by other types of technical analysis, such as chart pattern analysis and support and resistance levels. Since take-profit orders are simple to create and a great way to lower risk, they are another widely used tool by trading system developers to place automatic trades.

Take-Profit Order Illustration

A trader initiates a fresh, long position after seeing an ascending triangle chart pattern. The trader anticipates that the stock will increase to fifteen percent from its present levels if there is a breakthrough. If the stock doesn’t break out, the trader wants to remove the position immediately and move on to the next chance. To ensure that the stock is automatically sold when it reaches a certain level, the trader may set up a take-profit order that is 15% higher than the market price. They could also execute a stop-loss order five percent below the current market price at the exact moment.

When the take-profit and stop-loss orders are combined, the risk-to-reward ratio is 5:15, which is advantageous if there is an equal chance of achieving each result or if the probabilities are biased in favor of the breakout scenario.

The trader should not worry about closely monitoring the market throughout the day or second-guessing themselves about how high the price may rise after the breakout by placing the take-profit order. The trader knows what to anticipate before the deal ever happens, and the risk-to-reward ratio is well established.

Conclusion

• Limit orders that shut when a predetermined profit threshold is achieved are known as take-profit (T/P) orders.
• T/P order limit prices are set using either technical or fundamental analysis.
• Take-profit orders benefit traders looking to make rapid gains on security expenses.