Why would I want to use a one cancels the other order?

One cancels the other orders are often used by experienced traders who want to limit their market risk when entering a position. They can be particularly useful when trading breakouts or retracements because of their risk management feature. For example, if a trader was looking to place a trade when price breaks above resistance or below support, they might use a one cancels the other order. They would do this by placing a buy stop and a sell stop, and if one triggers the other is immediately cancelled. This can also be very useful around earnings releases, when a trader is sure price will move substantially, but they aren't sure in which direction.

What is another name for a one cancels the other order?

Because the one cancels the other order is often used to trade breakouts or tight trading ranges it is also called a bracket order. That’s because it brackets the current price in anticipation of a move in one direction or the other. This can be useful for a trader who is sure price is going to move substantially in one direction or the other, but not sure when this will happen or in which direction price will move. Often earnings releases are a good time to use this type of order. They can also be used when consolidation patterns appear.

What’s the best time to use a one cancels the other order?

Traders may use a one cancels the other order when anticipating a significant move in either direction, but they are unsure which direction that will be. This often occurs with volatile stocks after earnings reports or new product releases. The one cancels the other order can also be useful during periods of consolidation in stocks when they are trading sideways in a tight range. The same rationale prevails. The trader knows that the stock will be breaking in one direction or the other, but is unsure which direction price will take.

OCO Trading Orders - Examples & Tips

One Cancels the Other Orders

One cancels the other (OCO) is an order combining 2 entry orders. If one of the orders is being triggered, then the other order is automatically cancelled, ensuring that regardless of the price movement, only one order can be executed.

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The importance as a risk management tools is often something that is overlooked however it is a prerequisite to the success of your trading career. Planning ahead your trades and knowing what risk management tools to implement when, is the essence of managing your trading portfolio.

Do not fall into the trap of entering your trades blindly or with a gambling attitude, you may enter one or two lucky strikes however emotions begin to dictate your trades and eventually this will cause you to endure painful losses.

There are endless benefits for investors when using the OCO orders as a risk management tool, for instance when markets are experiencing price gaps as well as sharp price movements that happen in an unplanned trading environment. These instances can result in failure to open a position on one predefined level, therefor pre-setting the OCO order will be your solution to these occasions.

How to use One Cancels the Other?

Setting One Cancels the Other Order

Locate the desired instrument on the Dealing Rate Table in the desired column, buy or sell. Right-click the instrument and choose Entry OCO.
Entry OCO Order example

Set your preferences on the Entry OCO Order window.

Setting One Cancels the Other Order on an existing Entry Order

In order to set an OCO order, first open an entry order. This will appear in the order windows in your platform.

Once the first order appears, while hovering above the row with your order, right-click with the mouse and choose the OCO Link option. Then choose Set to New Order.

Limit Entry Order example

The new window that will appear will offer you to make the opposite entry order to the existing one (i.e., entry limit sell, will have a OCO order of entry stop sell)

Once the second entry order is set, the order window will show both orders, including the number of the other order.

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One Cancels the Other FAQ

Why would I want to use a one cancels the other order?

One cancels the other orders are often used by experienced traders who want to limit their market risk when entering a position. They can be particularly useful when trading breakouts or retracements because of their risk management feature. For example, if a trader was looking to place a trade when price breaks above resistance or below support, they might use a one cancels the other order. They would do this by placing a buy stop and a sell stop, and if one triggers the other is immediately cancelled. This can also be very useful around earnings releases, when a trader is sure price will move substantially, but they aren’t sure in which direction.
What is another name for a one cancels the other order?

Because the one cancels the other order is often used to trade breakouts or tight trading ranges it is also called a bracket order. That’s because it brackets the current price in anticipation of a move in one direction or the other. This can be useful for a trader who is sure price is going to move substantially in one direction or the other, but not sure when this will happen or in which direction price will move. Often earnings releases are a good time to use this type of order. They can also be used when consolidation patterns appear.
What’s the best time to use a one cancels the other order?

Traders may use a one cancels the other order when anticipating a significant move in either direction, but they are unsure which direction that will be. This often occurs with volatile stocks after earnings reports or new product releases. The one cancels the other order can also be useful during periods of consolidation in stocks when they are trading sideways in a tight range. The same rationale prevails. The trader knows that the stock will be breaking in one direction or the other, but is unsure which direction price will take.