Share New Research 
We are trying to implement trailing stops for Long and Short orders.
We were doing simple if/else statements to keep track of a the high-water mark (or low water mark in a short), but it seems the correct way would be using the StopMarketOrder() function, and then doing an UpdateOrderFields() as this will be more accurate (and stateless). What confuses me, si that all the documentation around StopMarketOrder() says you set it HIGHER than the current market price, which isn't what we want a trailing stop for (we want it as a way to cap our downside).
Is this correct? Or have I misunderstood the StopMarketOrder() purpose?
Thanks!
Artemiusgreat
Somebody may correct me, but both, LimitOrder and StopMarketOrder, can be used below and above the price, the main difference between them is that LimitOrder is a "execute only with profit for me" order and StopMarketOrder is a "execute by any mean" order. Depending on a volume sign, positive or negative, they both can open long and short position.
// current price is $80
// this order says to broker - I agree to buy for any price from 0 to $70
// if price is higher than $70 - do nothing
LimitOrder(symbol, 1, 70.00)
// current price is $60
// this order says to broker - I agree to sell for any price from $70 to infinity
// if price is cheaper than $70 - do nothing
LimitOrder(symbol, -1, 70.00)
// current price is $60
// this order says to broker - when price go to $70 or above
// execute order as fast as possible, even if I have to pay more than $70
StopMarketOrder(symbol, 1, 70.00)
// current price is $80
// this order says to broker - when price go to $70 or below
// execute order as fast as possible, even if I lose money by selling it cheap
StopMarketOrder(symbol, -1, 70.00)
Artemiusgreat
Ok, I take my words back. Looks like people at Quant Connect imagine order management differently. Explained here.
Jared Broad
We modelled StopMarket, StopLimit and Limit orders from Interactive Brokers.
The material on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation or endorsement for any security or strategy, nor does it constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by QuantConnect. In addition, the material offers no opinion with respect to the suitability of any security or specific investment. QuantConnect makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the views expressed in the website. The views are subject to change, and may have become unreliable for various reasons, including changes in market conditions or economic circumstances. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. You should consult with an investment professional before making any investment decisions.
Jared Broad
Drew Baker we'll post an example here tomorrow. The example in the documentation shows a lower price.
// Closing out a long position on market drop var stopPrice = close * .9975m; var newTicket = StopMarketOrder("IBM", -100, stopPrice);The material on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation or endorsement for any security or strategy, nor does it constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by QuantConnect. In addition, the material offers no opinion with respect to the suitability of any security or specific investment. QuantConnect makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the views expressed in the website. The views are subject to change, and may have become unreliable for various reasons, including changes in market conditions or economic circumstances. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. You should consult with an investment professional before making any investment decisions.
Aadi Shidham
I found this video helpful in understanding this. From what I can tell, a "stop order" in the video is roughly the same as QC's StopMarketOrder and a "stop limit order" is roughly the same as QC's StopLimitOrder.
I still dont understand what positive quantities mean in a stop order though, still trying to understand this.
Jack Simonson
Hi Aadi,
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If you're referring to the positive number in an order such as the one below, then it is telling the algorithm to place a StopMarketOrder to buy 1 share of the symbol. If you wanted to sell, then you would pass -1 as the numeric argument for order quantity.
StopMarketOrder(symbol, 1, 70.00)Â
Vncne
What if in my StopMarketOrder, instead of wanting to sell a fixed quantity, I want to liquidate the entire holding if the set Stop is hit?
Vncne
In other words, does anyone know how I can incorporate self.SetHoldings() into a StopMarketOrder?
Vncne
Sorry, I meant how to incorporate self.Liquidate() not self.SetHoldings().
Crypto Hai
Vncne have you found the solution? I also need some kind of "Sell evrything if price goes up 7% or down 10%. Is it possible to set two stopMarketOrders?Â
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Derek Melchin
Hi Vncne & Crypto Hai,
We can set our StopMarketOrder to liquidate all of our current holdings by utilizing the Portfolio object.
self.StopMarketOrder(self.spy, -self.Portfolio[self.spy].Quantity, data[self.spy].Close * 0.7)See the attached backtest for reference.
If the holdings quantity adjusts after submitting this order, we can update the order quantity to ensure we liquidate everything. Refer to the docs here.
Best,
Derek Melchin
The material on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation or endorsement for any security or strategy, nor does it constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by QuantConnect. In addition, the material offers no opinion with respect to the suitability of any security or specific investment. QuantConnect makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the views expressed in the website. The views are subject to change, and may have become unreliable for various reasons, including changes in market conditions or economic circumstances. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. You should consult with an investment professional before making any investment decisions.
Drew Baker
The material on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation or endorsement for any security or strategy, nor does it constitute an offer to provide investment advisory services by QuantConnect. In addition, the material offers no opinion with respect to the suitability of any security or specific investment. QuantConnect makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the views expressed in the website. The views are subject to change, and may have become unreliable for various reasons, including changes in market conditions or economic circumstances. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. You should consult with an investment professional before making any investment decisions.
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