Limit Order Trading
- Abstract
- Full Text PDF
- Author(s): PUNEET HANDA, ROBERT A. SCHWARTZ
- Published: Apr 30, 2012
- Pages: 1835-1861
- DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6261.1996.tb05228.x
ABSTRACT
We analyze the rationale for limit order trading. Use of limit orders involves two risks: 1) an adverse information event can trigger an undesirable execution, and 2) favorable news can result in a desirable execution not being obtained. On the other hand, a paucity of limit orders can result in accentuated short‐term price fluctuations that compensate a limit order trader. Our empirical tests suggest that trading via limit orders dominates trading via market orders for market participants with relatively well balanced portfolios, and that placing a network of buy and sell limit orders as a pure trading strategy is profitable.