What Does GTC Mean in Stocks? | GTC Stock Orders 

GTC Order Meaning

GTC stands for "Good Till Cancelled." It is a designation that can be placed on an order to buy or sell a stock. 

Unlike day orders, GTC orders will stay on indefinitely until you manually cancel them.

Key Takeaways

  • GTC stands for "Good 'Til Canceled" and refers to an order type that remains active in the market until it is either filled or canceled by the investor.

  • GTC orders can be useful for investors who want to buy or sell a particular stock at a specific price, but who may not be actively monitoring the market at all times.

  • GTC orders can be placed with most brokerage firms and can typically be customized to include specific instructions or conditions, such as price limits or time restrictions.

When Would You Use a GTC Order? 

You would place an order as GTC, so it will remain active until it is either filled or an investor cancels the order. This is in contrast to other types of orders that after a certain period of time, such as a limit order or a market order.

Why are GTC Orders Useful?

GTC orders can be useful for investors who want to enter or exit a position over a longer period of time and don't want to have to remember to place a new order every day. 

GTC orders can also be beneficial because they can aid traders in risk management. For instance, a trader could place a GTC order at a higher price to make sure they do not overpay for a stock if they want to acquire it at a given price but are worried about the stock price rising too soon.

For traders looking to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities, GTC orders can be helpful. A trader might place a GTC order on both exchanges, for instance, if they see that a stock is trading at a lower price on one exchange and a higher price on another exchange in an effort to profit from the price difference.

What are the Downsides of GTC Orders?

It is important to note that GTC orders can be risky, as the investor may end up paying a higher price for a stock than they intended if the market moves significantly while the order is still active. 

It is also important to regularly review and cancel any GTC orders that are no longer relevant.

FAQ

What is the difference between day order and GTC?

A day order is an order that remains in effect for the current day and will automatically expire at the end of that trading day. GTC orders, on the other hand, remain active until they are manually canceled or the order is filled. Good Till Cancelled orders can last weeks or even months.

How long are GTC orders good for?

GTC orders do not typically remain active indefinitely. To prevent an order from being filled unexpectedly after a long time, most brokers cancel GTC orders within 30 to 90 days of receiving them. Some brokers may also cancel GTC orders under certain conditions, such as corporate actions, dividends, or lack of account activity.

What is the risk of a GTC order?

A major risk of GTC orders is when the price swings sharply past the GTC limit order and then bounces back. This could cause the sell order to execute and exit the position at the worst possible time. Another risk is that you may forget about your GTC order and end up with an unwanted position or miss an opportunity to trade at a better price.

What is an example of a GTC order?

An example of a GTC order is when you want to buy a stock that is $22 and you want to sell it for $23. You can place a GTC buy limit order at $22 and a GTC sell limit order at $23. This way, you don’t have to monitor the market every day and wait for your price levels to be reached. Your orders will remain active until they are filled or canceled by you.

Will GTC orders fill after hours?

GTC orders are only effective during the regular trading session, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. If you want your order to be eligible for execution during extended hours, you need to specify a different time in force, such as GTD (Good Till Date) or GTT (Good Till Time).

How long is a GTC order good for on TD Ameritrade?

According to TD Ameritrade’s website, GTC orders are valid until executed or canceled by the client or until they expire at the end of 180 calendar days.

What is the difference between GTC and limit order?

A limit order is an order that specifies the maximum or minimum price at which you want to buy or sell a security. A GTC order is a time in force attribute that determines how long your order will remain active in the market. You can combine a limit order with a GTC attribute to create a GTC limit order, which means that your order will stay in the market until it is filled at your limit price or canceled by you.

Who cancels a GTC order?

A GTC order can be canceled by the investor who placed it or by the broker who executed it. Some brokers may also cancel GTC orders automatically under certain conditions, such as corporate actions, dividends, or lack of account activity.

What is day vs GTC vs GTD?

Day, GTC, and GTD are different time in force attributes that determine how long your order will remain active in the market. A day order expires at the end of the trading day if it is not filled. A GTC order remains active until it is filled or canceled by you or your broker. A GTD order expires on a specified date if it is not filled.

What is time in force day or GTC?

Time in force is a parameter that indicates how long your order will stay in the market before it expires or gets canceled. Day and GTC are two common time in force options that you can choose when placing an order. A day order expires at the end of the trading day if it is not filled. A GTC order remains active until it is filled or canceled by you or your broker.

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Consider this article about stop limit orders for your research.

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