How Do I Sell Stocks on eTrade?

eTrade has revolutionized how people perceive and conduct online investing. The digital space offers customers an avenue to buy and sell stocks worldwide at competitive prices. One of eTrade's strongest suits is its research tools, where one can review market statistics, present and past, to make informed decisions. With eTrade, you can enjoy the convenience of a user-friendly interface and the benefit of low commissions when selling stocks. eTrade also offers round-the-clock customer support to help with questions on executing a sell order. Below are a few steps to help you initiate and execute a successful sale.

Executing a Sell Order

Research Your Investment

When selling stocks, one needs to have an open mind and be free of emotional attachments. A focus on fluctuating prices can be a distraction from basing your decisions on hard facts. Before initiating a sell order, you need to research the viability and profitability of selling the stocks. eTrade offers a vast database of stocks to help guide each call. It's advisable to sell stocks when the associated business is set to soar. You should also account for the profit margin and losing position when selling.

Verify Your Share Total

Before making a sale, double-check your share balance to ensure you have enough shares for the sale order. Once logged into your eTrade account, review your previous sales and purchases. People sometimes forget they bought shares from the same company twice, increasing their shares. In some cases, buyers may receive additional shares from a company, causing the stocks to split.

Access the Platform

The eTrade platform can be accessed from multiple devices at your convenience. You can use a smartphone or web interface to trade your stocks. Customers are required to pay $6.95 to initiate a buy or sell order through eTrade. The platform offers discounts to frequent traders, with individuals that make at least 30 trades paying a fee of $4.95. It's worth noting that not everyone is conversant with trading: eTrade offers broker-assisted trades at an additional fee of $25 for those who need help developing strategies and executing sell orders.

Select Order Type

The next step is to select your order type based on your set parameter. For example, if you want to sell at the next available price, simply select a market order. However, if you want to extend your profit margin and sell at a specified price, enter the price and enter a limit order. This way, your sell order won't execute until you get your preferred price or more. A stop order works in the opposite direction, limiting possible losses in a stock by automatically entering a sell order when your stock drops to a predetermined "stop price."

Execute Your Order

The final step is probably the easiest part of selling stock on eTrade. While logged into your account, access your list of stocks and choose the stock you want to sell, and select "Trade." Immediately after you choose "Trade," you will be guided as you enter your trading parameters, including choosing the type of order, before selecting ''Sell.'' This process is similar on all platforms, mobile apps, or web interfaces.