Order Execution Slippage
Order execution slippage occurs when the final price at which a trade is filled differs from the price at which the order was originally placed. This discrepancy happens because the market price moves during the time it takes for the order to be processed or because the trade size exceeds the available volume at the best bid or ask price.
Slippage is most common in fast-moving markets or when trading low-liquidity assets. Traders can manage this risk by using limit orders, which guarantee a specific price or better, rather than market orders.
Sophisticated platforms often provide slippage tolerance settings that automatically cancel the order if the price deviates beyond a specified percentage. It is a direct consequence of market microstructure and the mechanics of order matching engines.