AMO Order: Meaning, Timings, Benefits and How to Use It
24 July 2025 · Sachin Gadekar
What is an AMO Order? Meaning, Timing, and How It Works for Traders.
What is an AMO Order?
At Ultra, we help modern investors with smart tools, verified insights, and multiple investment opportunities. One tool that traders often hear about is the AMO order. But what is an AMO order, how does it work, and when does it get executed?
This guide explains AMO order meaning, timings, benefits, execution process, and tips to help you use AMO orders wisely when you cannot monitor the stock market live.
AMO stands for After Market Order. It is a type of stock market order that allows you to place buy or sell instructions outside of regular trading hours.
In simple terms, an AMO order means you can plan your trades and queue them up when the market is closed. The order is then sent to the exchange when the market opens the next day.
Why Do Traders Use AMO Orders?
Stock exchanges like NSE and BSE operate from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM on working days. Many people cannot actively track prices or place trades during these hours due to office work, meetings, or other commitments.
Using an AMO order helps traders and investors:
Plan trades in advance and place them at their convenience.
Avoid missing out on good opportunities due to busy schedules.
Analyze company news or global market cues after market hours and act accordingly.
When Does an AMO Order Get Executed?
An AMO order does not get executed immediately. It stays in your broker’s system until the next trading day.
Brokers send all AMO orders to the exchange during the pre-market session, which in India is from 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM. The order then gets matched with available bids and offers at the exchange. If it matches, the order gets executed when the market officially opens at 9:15 AM.
Broker-Wise AMO Order Timing
| Broker | AMO Order Window |
|---|---|
| Zerodha | 3:45 PM to 8:59 AM |
| Upstox | 3:45 PM to 9:00 AM |
| Angel One | 4:00 PM to 9:00 AM |
| ICICI Direct | 4:30 PM to 8:59 AM |
| Groww | 4:00 PM to 8:59 AM |
Types, Advantages, and Limitations
Types of AMO Orders
You can place different types of AMO orders, just like regular market orders:
Market Order: Buy or sell at the current market price when the market opens.
Limit Order: Set a specific price at which you want to buy or sell.
Stop-Loss Order: Place a stop-loss to limit your risk if the market moves against you.
Advantages of AMO Orders
Convenience: Plan your trades outside market hours and place them easily.
Better Decision-Making: Analyze results, news, or trends in peace.
Opportunity: Participate in the pre-open market session for opening gap movements.
Limitations of AMO Orders
Price Gaps: Stocks can open significantly higher or lower than your limit price.
No Immediate Control: Once the order goes to the exchange, you cannot edit it in real time.
Overnight Risk: Global or local news can cause sharp price swings, which may affect execution or the expected price.
How To & Who Should Use AMO Order?
How to Place an AMO Order
The process is simple with most brokers:
1. Log in to your trading app or web account after market hours.
2. Search and select the stock you wish to buy or sell.
3. Choose buy or sell, enter quantity and price.
4. Choose the AMO option, if your broker asks for confirmation.
5. Place the order. It remains queued until the next market session.
Who Should Use AMO Orders?
AMO orders are a good option for:
Working professionals who cannot trade live.
Investors who prefer planning trades after studying daily charts and news.
Those who want to catch pre-market movements or act on overnight news.
FAQs on AMO Orders
Q1: What is an AMO order?
An AMO or After Market Order is an instruction to buy or sell stocks when the stock market is closed. It is executed during the next trading day’s pre-market session.
Q2: What does AMO order mean in stock trading?
It means your order is queued outside regular hours and processed when the exchange reopens.
Q3: When does an AMO order get executed?
It gets sent to the stock exchange during the pre-open session, usually between 9:00 AM and 9:15 AM.
Q4: Can I modify or cancel an AMO order?
Yes, you can modify or cancel your AMO order before the broker’s cut-off time or before the order reaches the exchange.
Q5: Is an AMO order good for trading?
It is good for convenience, especially for busy investors. However, overnight price gaps can affect the execution.
Final Thoughts
AMO orders are simple tools for planning your trades when the stock market is closed. When used wisely, they help you act on your strategies without worrying about missing market hours.
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