What is an end of day order?
An end of day order is an instruction to buy or sell a security that is set to execute at, or is valid until, the end of the trading day.
It lets traders act on the closing part of the session without having to watch the market continuously throughout the day.
In simple terms, an end of day order is tied to the close of the trading day.
How the order works
Depending on the platform and market, an end of day order may remain active until the close and then expire if unfilled, or it may be designed to execute around the closing price. Traders who base decisions on where a market finishes the day, rather than its intraday swings, use this type of order to align their trades with the close. It removes the need to monitor prices minute by minute.
Who might use it
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Traders who rely on daily closing prices
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Those who cannot watch the market during the day
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Swing traders acting on end-of-day signals
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Traders wanting to avoid intraday noise
End of day order compared with a day order
| Feature |
End of day order |
Day order |
| Focus |
The close |
Anytime in the session |
| Best for |
Close-based strategies |
Intraday levels |
| Expiry |
End of day |
End of day |
Choosing an end of day order over other durations
Order duration decides how long an instruction stays live. An end of day order works for the current session and then expires, which suits traders who want an order to have all day to fill but prefer not to leave it running afterwards. It sits between an immediate order and longer-dated instructions that remain active for days or weeks. Choosing the right duration helps ensure an order reflects current intentions rather than being triggered on stale terms. Checking the specific rules a broker applies is worth doing, since the exact cut-off time and handling of such orders can vary between platforms.
What happens when the session closes
The exact behaviour of an end of day order can vary between brokers, so it is worth checking how a given platform defines and handles it. It does not protect against gaps or sharp moves into the close, and prices around the close can be volatile. As with any order type, it does not remove the risk that the market moves against the trader.
An end of day order in action
Picture a trader who cannot watch the screen all day. They place an end of day order that stays active until the market closes, then lapses if it has not filled. This gives the order a full session to be reached while avoiding it carrying unnoticed into the next day.
When an end of day order suits a strategy
The end of day order suits traders whose strategies revolve around closing prices rather than intraday activity. Understanding how it works and how a broker applies it helps traders use it effectively, while keeping in mind that no order type removes the underlying risks of trading.
Risk Warning:Trading CFDs involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Losses can exceed your initial deposit. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved before trading.
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