A guaranteed stop is a risk management tool that ensures your trade closes at exactly the price you specify, even if the market gaps or experiences high volatility.

How it works: Guaranteed stops work the same way as regular stops, except they will always be filled at exactly the level you set. Your exit price is locked in, regardless of market movements. A premium applies for using a guaranteed stop, and this premium is only charged if the guaranteed stop is triggered.

The key difference from regular stops: Regular stops can experience slippage during volatile market conditions, meaning your trade might close at a worse price than expected. Guaranteed stops provide absolute price certainty you always exit at your chosen level.

How to set it up: On your Deal or Order ticket, click on the drop-down arrow under 'Stop' and select 'Guaranteed'. The potential premium will be displayed before you place your trade.

When you place a guaranteed stop:

1. You set your maximum loss level before opening a trade
2. Your margin requirement is calculated based on this risk (typically 60-70% lower than with a regular stop)
3. If the market hits your stop level, your position closes at exactly that price. No slippage
4. You only pay the premium if the stop is triggered

Zero upfront cost. You only pay the premium if your guaranteed stop is triggered.

The premium varies by market and volatility:

• Forex: Typically a few points per contract
• Indices: Varies by volatility
• Shares: Usually 0.3% of transaction value

You'll see the exact premium amount on the deal ticket before placing your trade. If you close the position yourself or it moves in your favour, there's no premium charge.

Yes. Guaranteed stops are available on 90+ forex pairs at IG, including:

• Major pairs: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, AUD/USD
• Minor pairs: EUR/GBP, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY
• Exotic pairs and USD/SGD

This is particularly useful for forex traders concerned about overnight gaps, weekend market movements, or trading around major news events like NFP or central bank decisions.

Yes. Guaranteed stops are available for gold (XAU/USD) CFD trading at IG.

This is especially valuable for gold traders because gold markets can experience significant gaps during geopolitical events, Fed announcements, or when markets reopen after weekends. A guaranteed stop protects you from slippage during these volatile periods.

When you use a guaranteed stop, your margin requirement is calculated based on your maximum risk (the distance to your stop level) rather than the full position size.

Example with GBP/USD:

• Without guaranteed stop: USD 2,555.80 margin required
• With guaranteed stop (70-point stop): USD 790 margin required
• Capital freed up: USD 1,765.80 (69% reduction)

This freed-up capital can be used to open additional positions, keep more in reserve, or reduce your overall account size requirement.

Yes, you can adjust your guaranteed stop after opening a position. This allows you to trail your stop as the trade moves in your favour, locking in favourable price levels while maintaining guaranteed protection.

When you can't edit or are restricted:

• Market closed: You can only move your stop further away, not closer to the market price
• High volatility periods: Minimum stop distance may increase, requiring you to maintain a wider stop than initially set
• Minimum distance rules: All adjustments must respect the minimum distance from current market price

These restrictions help protect your position during periods when slippage risk is highest.

Summary: Regular stops are free but can slip during gaps or volatility. Guaranteed stops cost a premium (only when triggered) but provide absolute price certainty and significantly lower margin requirements.

Yes. Guaranteed stops are particularly beneficial for beginner CFD traders because:

• You know your maximum loss before you trade (removes fear of unlimited losses)
• Protection against overnight gaps (you can sleep without worry)
• Lower margin requirements mean you can start with less capital
• Once you set a guaranteed stop, your exit level is fixed, and you can still adjust the stop level at any time after placing your order

Statistic: 73% of new traders who opened accounts with IG in Q4 2024 used guaranteed stops on their first trade.

IG Asia Pte Ltd (Co. Reg. No. 200510021K) is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and holds a capital markets services licence.