what is the difference between a stop loss order and a stop limit order 
a stop loss order assures execution while a stop limit order ensures a fill at the desired price the decision regarding which type of order to use depends on a number of factors a stop loss order will get triggered at the market price once the stop loss level has been breached an investor with a long position in a security whose price is plunging swiftly may find that the price at which the stop loss order got filled is well below the level at which the stop loss was set this can be a major risk when a stock gaps down say after an earnings report for a long position conversely a gap up can be a risk for a short position a stop limit order combines the features of a stop loss order and a limit order the investor specifies the limit price thus ensuring that the stop limit order will only be filled at the limit price or better however as with any limit order the risk here is that the order may not get filled at all leaving the investor stuck with a money losing position 