Top 3 Reasons to use OCO Orders! May 29, 2020

Top 3 Reasons to use OCO Orders!

As a CFD trader, have you ever experienced the need for an order type that sets two orders concurrently, one to take profit and the other to cut loss, and the order gets cancelled when the other is filled?

Do you wish for a risk management tool that can help you to manage your trading exit strategies?

The good news is that you can do both through One-Cancels-the-Other (OCO) orders!

Definition of an OCO order

In an OCO order, a set of two instructions is given to fill orders:
1. At the price you want (better off) or
2. Once it reaches a certain target (worse off) price

When the limit order is triggered, the stop limit order will be cancelled automatically. If the stop price is reached, the stop limit order will be triggered or filled and the limit order will be cancelled.

An OCO order requires the user to set 3 different prices:
i) limit price (take profit)
ii) stop price
iii) stop limit price (cut loss)

To illustrate, here are two different scenarios for OCO orders.

Scenario 1: CFD price moves in your favour (better off)

Top 3 Reasons to use OCO Orders!

In the first scenario, you purchase your shares at an entry price of S$1.00. You set your limit price at S$1.15 and your stop limit price is set at S$0.95. The limit order is triggered when the share price hits S$1.15 and the stop limit order is cancelled automatically.


Scenario 2: CFD price moves against you (worse off)

Top 3 Reasons to use OCO Orders!

In the second scenario, the stop limit order is triggered when the share price drops to S$0.95 and the limit order is cancelled automatically.


Top 3 Benefits of using an OCO order

1. Risk-Reward Customisation

Top 3 Reasons to use OCO Orders!


OCO orders allow you to customise your risk reward ratio. Risk-reward ratio is defined as the relationship ratio between your potential rewards and risk taken.

With a pre-determined risk-reward ratio, you are able to determine the exit points for both your pre-determined take profit and cut loss points. OCO orders allow you to set your exit points during your trade execution.

Below is an example of an OCO order application by a fictional person called “Ms. A” who anticipates the potential drop in Straits Times Index due to COVID-19 and decides to short sell with CFD to capture the downside return.

Index Straits Times Index SGD5 CFD
Direction Short Sell
Quantity 1
Entry Price 2500
Target Price (Limit Price) 2400
Stop Price 2550
Stop Limit Price 2550

(Assumption: No commission and finance charges involved)

To maximise gains and minimise losses, Ms. A adopts the risk-reward ratio of 1:2, a maximum loss of S$250 and a gain of S$500, which is equivalent to 50 index points of loss or 100 index points of gain in each unit of Straits Times Index SGD5 CFD.

Scenario 1: The Index price went up to 2550 Scenario 2: The Index price went down to 2400
Original Investment Short
Straits Times Index SGD5 CFD
2500 * S$5 * 6% = S$750
Short
Straits Times Index SGD5 CFD
2500 * S$5 * 6% = S$750
Quantity (contract) 1 1
Entry Price 2,500 2,500
Profit/(Loss) 1 * (2500- 2550) * 5 = -S$250 1 * (2500 – 2400) * 5 = S$500
Risk-reward ratio 1 2

Potential Scenarios

By sticking to her risk-reward ratio of 1:2, Ms. A risks S$250 for a profit of S$500. However, do note that if the index gaps up or down, Ms. A’s orders may not be filled.

You may refer to our previous article to understand more about stop limit orders.

2. Protect Profit

Holding a short position that is deep in the money? You should utilise an OCO order to maximise your profit and set a minimum profit in the event of trend reversal. This ensures your winning position will be protected as you stay in the trading game. You can do so by setting the limit order price as your profit target and using the stop limit order (minimum profit) to protect your accumulated gains.

3. Minimal Monitoring

Having too many meetings on a work day? Have family commitments and kids to look after? Can’t be on the trading screen 24/7? Not to worry!

Regardless of which trading strategy you choose to deploy, you can semi-autopilot it by utilising OCO Day or OCO GTD* order anytime. You can pre determine your take profit and cut loss points without manual interference and monitoring.

*Please note that OTO GTD orders are only available for Singapore Equity CFD & CFD DMA.

How do I place an OCO order?

With an existing long position (Take Profit or Cut Loss)

Top 3 Reasons to use OCO Orders!


Steps to submit an OCO order:

Log into POEMS 2.0 or Poems Mobile 2.0 → Trade → Select CFD Counter

Step 1: Submit your sell limit order above the market price to take profit (better off)
Step 2: Change the quantity
Step 3: Identify your stop sell price
Step 4: Choose to trigger based on either bid or ask
Step 5: Enter stop sell limit price (worse off)

With an existing short position (Take Profit or Cut Loss)

Top 3 Reasons to use OCO Orders!


Submitting an OCO order (Have an existing short position)

Steps to submit an OCO order:

Log into POEMS 2.0 or Poems Mobile 2.0 → Trade → Select CFD Counter

Step 1: Submit your buy limit order below the market price to take profit (better off)
Step 2: Change the quantity
Step 3: Identify stop buy price
Step 4: Choose to trigger based on either bid or ask
Step 5: Enter stop buy limit price (worse off)

Please note that OCO order types may not be available for certain CFD products and markets.


Conclusion

“Always start at the end before you begin. Professional investors always have an exit strategy before they invest. Knowing your exit strategy is an important investment fundamental.”
– Robert Kiyosaki.

Sound risk management, such as cutting losses early and cashing on your wins, is an essential component of your trading journey. OCO orders allow you to customise your risk reward ratio by allowing you to determine your take profit and cut loss points as well as protecting your long-accumulated gains. OCO orders are one of advanced tools provided by us to aid you in your trading journey.

If you are interested in knowing more about CFDs, please join our FREE education seminars/webinars and listen to our past webinar recordings. Submit OCO orders via both POEMS 2.0, POEMS Mobile 2.0 and POEMS Mercury now!

POEMS Mercury has been rebranded as POEMS Pro! For more information, click here.

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These commentaries are intended for general circulation. It does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person who may receive this document. Accordingly, no warranty whatsoever is given and no liability whatsoever is accepted for any loss arising whether directly or indirectly as a result of any person acting based on this information. Opinions expressed in these commentaries are subject to change without notice. Investments are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of the units and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance figures as well as any projection or forecast used in these commentaries are not necessarily indicative of future or likely performance. Phillip Securities Pte Ltd (PSPL), its directors, connected persons or employees may from time to time have an interest in the financial instruments mentioned in these commentaries. Investors may wish to seek advice from a financial adviser before investing. In the event that investors choose not to seek advice from a financial adviser, they should consider whether the investment is suitable for them.

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About the author

Lee Yong Shern
Dealer

Yong Shern is a passionate CFD dealer who has always aspired to discover trading opportunities via a blend of different research methodologies. Prior to joining PhillipCapital, Yong Shern was an intraday equity trader in one of the top broker firm in Malaysia. He graduated with First Class Honours in Business Administration with a major in Banking and Finance from the University of Malaya. Yong Shern is experienced in both trading and research in various financial products. These products include equities, indices, commodities, forex trading. He has successfully crafted trading strategies to navigate this volatile oil environment.

In his free time, Yong Shern enjoys following the latest market news with the aim of helping clients navigate through various market conditions.

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