Placing Equity Trades

  1. In the Trade tool or Symbol Hub, click the Stocks & ETFs tab.
  2. Enter the symbol in the Title Bar and press Enter on the keyboard or click Go.
  3. Choose from the Action field whether you wish to create a Buy, Sell, or Short order.
  4. Adjust the quantity using the arrow buttons or entering the quantity manually.

TIP: If you want to base your order quantity on a dollar amount rather than a number of shares, click the $ button above the Quantity field. Enter the dollar amount and click OK to show the number of shares that amount will buy (whole shares only).

  1. Select a Venue. Most common will be SmartEx, but other choices may include Pre Market and After Hours. If you are approved to trade via Direct Access, you will also have ARCA and NSDQ as choices. See the Equity Trading Venues for more information.
  2. Choose an Order Type.
  1. If you chose an order type requiring a limit and/or stop price, set those values in the specified fields. Either enter them manually, or click on a price in the Market Depth area to use that price.
  1. Select the Timing for the order.
  1. Depending on your order settings, certain Special Conditions may be available. Choose these from the Special Conditions drop-down.
  1. Similarly, to enable Brackets for your order, click the Brackets drop-down. See Brackets Overview for more information on applying bracket exits to your order.
  2. To sell your entire position, check the Close All box. The quantity will default to the shares you have available to sell. When checked, the quantity will become shaded. You must use Close All if you want to close out a position with fractional shares. See Close All for more information.
  3. Click Review Order (if you have not turned off order verification).
  4. If the order settings are correct, click Place Order. To edit the order, click Edit Order. To start over completely, click Do Not Place.