Pending orders allow you to automate market entries once an asset reaches a specified target. However, there are instances where an order either fails to activate entirely or executes at a rate different from your requested price.
Why was the pending order not executed?
1. Insufficient free margin at the time of activation
When you submit a pending order, funds are not immediately locked or reserved on your account. The platform checks your margin balance only when the market price touches your specified order level.
If you do not have sufficient free margin at that exact moment, the order will not open. If the required margin is unavailable when the target price is hit, the pending order is automatically canceled and removed from your active list. It will not reopen later, even if your balance increases.
2. The spread and chart prices (Bid vs. Ask)
Trading charts on the platform display the Bid price by default.
Buy orders (Buy Limit, Buy Stop) trigger at the Ask price (Bid + Spread). If the chart line appears to reach your buy price, the Ask price may still have been above it due to the spread.
Sell orders (Sell Limit, Sell Stop) trigger at the Bid price.
Always account for the spread when placing orders close to key support or resistance levels.
3. Market closures and inactive sessions
Pending orders cannot execute outside of an asset's scheduled trading hours. If the underlying market is closed (e.g., over the weekend or between exchange sessions), the order will remain pending until the session reopens and the price criteria are met.
Why was the order executed at a different price?
During periods of heightened market volatility, such as major macroeconomic announcements, geopolitical news releases, or weekend market opens, prices can change rapidly or "gap" past your defined level without trading at intermediate prices.
Market gapping: When the market opens or jumps past your set price, your order cannot be filled at the rate you requested because that price was never traded.
First available price: Under these conditions, the system executes your pending order, Take Profit, or Stop Loss at the first available market price once liquidity returns.
Price variance: Depending on market velocity and the direction of the gap, the final execution rate may differ from your initial order level (this difference is known as slippage).
Tips for managing pending orders
Regularly review your account balance, equity, and the margin utilization of existing positions to ensure you have enough capital to support pending trades.
If your available margin is running low, reduce the investment amount or volume on pending orders before they are reached.
Check the economic calendar for high-impact releases that could produce wide spreads or price gaps around your entry and exit levels.
Keep in mind current and potential spread widening when configuring entry points, Stop Loss, and Take Profit levels.
If an order was canceled or executed unexpectedly and you need further clarification, please review your account history on the platform or contact our Support Team.