Moving the stop to breakeven in MetaTrader 5

Moving the stop-loss to the entry price is one of the most common trade management rules. Here is what happens, what to watch out for and how to do it in MT5.

What “stop to breakeven” means

With a stop to breakeven you move the stop-loss of an open position to the price you entered at. If the market then turns against you, the position closes at roughly no loss – minus spread, commission and possible slippage.

This removes the original risk from the trade. At the same time, a normal pullback becomes more likely to take you out before your target is reached. Whether and when you move the stop is therefore a rule you should set deliberately.

By hand in MT5

Open the “Trade” tab in the terminal and double-click the position.
Under “Type”, choose “Modify position”.
Enter the entry price as stop-loss and confirm.
With several partial positions, change each one – MT5 does not change them together.

Common mistakes

Moving the stop too early while the market is still within its normal range.
Forgetting the spread: with a tight distance the spread alone can close the position.
Changing only one of several partial positions and missing the rest.

With EasyFX

In EasyFX you set from which take-profit onwards the stop is moved to breakeven – for all remaining partial positions together. In Telegram there is also a button to move the stop to breakeven yourself at any time. You can still manage every trade directly in MT5 as well.

Frequently asked questions

Is a trade with the stop at breakeven risk-free?

No. Spread, commission and gaps (slippage) can still cause a small loss, and in fast markets the stop may be filled at a worse price.

When should I move the stop to breakeven?

That depends on your strategy. A common choice is after the first take-profit. Set the rule in advance instead of deciding during the trade.