An order, specifically a scaled order (scale order) that provides for the sale 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 (sell limit orders) at incrementally decreasing prices. For a sell scale order, a trader may place an order for the sale of 1,000 shares, divided into lots of 100 shares, and subject to execution at an interval of half point as the market picks up and advances.

Sell scale orders allow investors to enter into a position (short 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.