NFA Rule – Stop-Loss and Limit Orders
A major new National Futures Association (NFA) rule goes into effect on August 1, 2009. This rule affects all U.S. regulated Forex Dealer Members. Forex traders will no longer have the ability to place stop-loss or limit orders. Nor will traders be able to modify or close trades from the “Open Positions” window. As these features will be removed, all stop-loss and limit orders held on any US-based trading accounts at the close of trading on July 31, 2009, will be deleted.
The NFA, our industry’s self regulatory organization in the United States, has adopted Compliance Rule 2-43(b). Read Compliance Rule 2-43 (b). This rule requires orders be executed First In, First Out (FIFO). FIFO requires that when multiple positions are held in the same currency pair, the position which was first opened will be the first to be closed. Stop-loss and limit orders do not comply with FIFO.
The NFA’s stance is that FIFO provides more transparency to customers by offering a more accurate picture of the P/L than viewing the results of individual positions. This brings the forex market more in line with the practices of the futures and equities markets.
Using entry orders for stop-loss and limits after July 31, 2009:
For Buy Positions: Placing an entry order to sell below the price where you got into the position protects you from additional losses. Placing an entry order to sell above the price where you got in locks in profits.
For example, if you have a BUY EUR/USD position at 1.3900, you could place:
a stop-loss using a sell entry order (Stop Entry, SE) at 1.3800
or
a limit using a sell entry order (Limit Entry, LE) at 1.4000.
For Sell Positions: Placing an entry order to buy above the price where you got in protects you from additional losses. Placing an entry order to buy below the price where you got in locks in profits.
For example, if you have a SELL EUR/USD position at 1.3900, you could place:
a stop-loss using a buy entry order (Stop Entry, SE) at 1.4000
or
a limit using a buy entry order (Limit Entry, LE) at 1.3800.
