An order, specifically a scaled order (scale order) that provides for the purchase of a certain number of securities (e.g., shares) for execution in stages in an attempt to get an averaged price. The order consists of a series of limit orders (buy limit orders) at incrementally decreasing prices. For a scale buy order, a trader may place an order for the purchase of 1,000 shares, divided into lots of 100 shares, and subject to execution at an interval of quarter point as the market declines.

Scale buy orders allow investors to enter into a position (long position) in a gradual manner, by means of consecutive smaller trades at predetermined price levels. With a scale order, an investor can define the size of each trade and the price levels at which each trade will take place.