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Market order

An order to buy or sell immediately at the best available price.

Orders & TradingBeginner

Definition

A market order is almost certain to fill, but not at a guaranteed price. In a liquid stock the fill lands near the quoted price. In a thin or fast market, it can be much worse than the last price you saw.

Watch out for

Avoid market orders in illiquid names, extended hours and right after news, where slippage can be large.

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