Order Types
AEX supports several order types to suit different trading strategies.
Limit Order
A limit order specifies the maximum price you are willing to pay (buy) or the minimum price you are willing to accept (sell).
- Buy limit: Matches at the specified price or lower
- Sell limit: Matches at the specified price or higher
- Unmatched quantity rests in the order book until filled, cancelled, or expired
Market Order
A market order executes immediately at the best available price.
- Matches against resting limit orders in the book
- If insufficient liquidity, the unfilled portion is cancelled (does not rest)
- Use with caution in thin markets — you may receive a worse price than expected
Time in Force
The Time in Force (TIF) setting controls how long your order remains active:
| TIF | Name | Behaviour |
|---|---|---|
| Day | Day Order | Active until the end of the current trading session |
| GTC | Good Till Cancelled | Active until you cancel it or the contract expires |
| IOC | Immediate or Cancel | Matches as much as possible immediately; cancels any unfilled quantity |
| FOK | Fill or Kill | Must be filled entirely or not at all — no partial fills |
Choosing the right order type
| Scenario | Recommended |
|---|---|
| You want a specific price and can wait | Limit + GTC |
| You want to trade now at any price | Market |
| You want a specific price, today only | Limit + Day |
| You need immediate execution, no leftovers | Limit + IOC |
| All or nothing — full quantity or walk away | Limit + FOK |