A Stop Loss or Take Profit is an instruction that is triggered when the relevant market price reaches the set level. The level is not a guarantee that the order will always be filled at that exact price.
Common reasons for a price difference
Bid and Ask prices
MT4 uses two prices. A buy position is closed using the Bid price, while a sell position is closed using the Ask price. Most charts display the Bid price by default, so the Ask price may have reached your stop even when the visible chart appears not to have touched it.
You can display the Ask line in MT4 through Tools → Options → Charts → Show Ask line.
Spread
The difference between Bid and Ask is the spread. Spreads can widen when markets open, around major news, during low-liquidity periods or when prices move quickly. A wider spread can trigger an order sooner than expected when only one side of the quote is visible on the chart.
Gaps and fast markets
If the market moves through your requested level without a tradable price at that level, the order may be filled at the next available price. This can happen during sharp volatility, at the weekly market open or after a trading interruption.
Minimum distance rules
If MT4 shows Invalid S/L or T/P, the level may be too close to the current market price or may not follow the minimum distance allowed for that instrument. Check the current Bid and Ask prices and move the level farther from the market.
How to review the execution
- Open the Account History tab in MT4.
- Locate the closed trade and note its ticket number, symbol, direction, requested Stop Loss or Take Profit, close price and close time.
- Check whether the trade was a buy or sell and compare the correct side of the quote.
- Review the market conditions at the execution time, including spread and any price gap.
Request a trade review
If you believe the order was handled incorrectly, contact RockGlobal Support promptly and provide:
- MT4 account number and trade ticket number;
- symbol and buy/sell direction;
- requested Stop Loss or Take Profit level;
- execution price and platform time;
- a screenshot of the order and chart; and
- the relevant MT4 Journal or log entry, if available.
Do not send your trading password. RockGlobal can investigate the recorded quotes and execution data for the account.