In the dynamic world of the Indian stock market, timing is everything. Whether you're a day trader chasing intraday movements or a long-term investor focused on wealth creation, the ability to place orders strategically can make a significant difference in your overall returns. But what happens when you can’t be glued to your screen during the standard market hours of 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM?
That’s where the After Market Order (AMO) comes in—a convenient and flexible feature that empowers investors and traders to place stock market orders even after the markets have closed. Whether you’re analyzing charts in the evening or reacting to news that breaks after market hours, AMOs allow you to stay one step ahead without being tied to the trading screen.
In this detailed blog, we will explore everything you need to know about AMOs—how they function, their advantages and limitations, and how they fit into broader strategies such as stock market psychology, invest to save tax, using stop loss, and placing smart trades even without access to bracket or cover order functionality. We’ll also examine why opening a Demat account is the first step toward effectively leveraging AMOs.
An After-Market Order (AMO) is a type of order that allows you to buy or sell stocks outside of regular trading hours. Instead of placing trades between 9:15 AM and 3:30 PM when the market is live, AMOs can be placed after the market closes and before it opens the next day. These orders are then queued by your broker and sent to the exchange for execution at the opening bell.
This feature is particularly beneficial for those who are unable to track the market during the day. Whether you’re a working professional, student, or long-term investor, AMO gives you the flexibility to plan and execute your trades at a time that suits you best. It enables you to react to news events, earnings announcements, or global market cues that emerge after hours—without the stress of last-minute decision-making during volatile market sessions.
Unlike intraday or live market orders, AMOs offer the opportunity to make calm, well-researched decisions without the pressure of real-time price fluctuations. You can combine them with risk-management tools like stop loss, and while they don’t support advanced tools like brackets or cover orders, they are still an essential part of any retail investor’s trading toolkit. In short, AMO bridges the gap between market timing and personal availability—allowing you to participate actively in the Indian stock market, even when it’s technically closed.
While After Market Orders (AMO) are placed outside of regular trading hours, they don’t operate 24/7. Each broker offers specific time slots during which you can place AMOs, and these vary slightly depending on the stock exchange (NSE/BSE) and market segment (equity, F&O, etc.).
Here are the general AMO timing windows:
NSE Equity: 3:45 PM to 8:57 AM (next trading day)
BSE Equity: 3:45 PM to 8:59 AM (next trading day)
Just like regular market orders, AMO allows you to choose from different types of orders depending on your trading strategy and risk appetite.
A market order is an instruction to buy or sell a stock at the best available price once the market opens. It ensures execution but not the exact price, which may vary based on market volatility at the opening bell. AMO market orders are best suited when you're more focused on entering or exiting a position quickly rather than locking in a specific price.
A limit order allows you to define the maximum price you're willing to pay (in the case of buying) or the minimum you're willing to accept (in the case of selling). This offers better control over your entry or exit point. Limit orders are especially helpful when placing AMOs, as they protect against price slippage due to overnight volatility.
A stop order, also known as a stop loss, is placed to automatically buy or sell a stock once it hits a pre-defined trigger price. Stop orders are excellent for risk management and are commonly used in volatile stocks. When combined with AMO, a stop loss helps automate your defense strategy without requiring you to watch the market live.
AMO comes packed with features designed to improve trading flexibility and convenience:
Allows order placement outside of trading hours
Supports market, limit, and stop loss orders
Ideal for those with full-time jobs or limited market access
Helps reduce impulsive trades, supporting better stock market psychology
Available in both equity and derivative segments
Can be modified or canceled before the AMO window closes
While AMO does not support bracket or cover orders, its utility in swing or positional trades makes it a vital feature for many retail investors.
Understanding how AMOs function behind the scenes can help you use them more effectively. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
You place an AMO after the market closes, during the broker’s designated AMO window. This can be anytime in the evening or early morning before the next market session starts.
Select your desired stock, choose the AMO order type (market, limit, or stop loss), and specify the quantity and price. The system queues the order for submission.
Once the market opens the next day, your broker forwards the order to the exchange. If the market conditions match your price (for limit/stop orders), the order gets executed.
After execution, you'll receive a confirmation notification via SMS, email, or app notification. In case the conditions aren’t met, the order may remain pending or get canceled.
You can modify or cancel your AMO order anytime before the broker’s AMO window closes. After that, the order becomes non-editable and is locked for submission.
Placing an AMO is straightforward and can be done via your broker’s trading platform or mobile app. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Pro Tip: Set a stop loss with your AMO if your platform allows it. This adds an extra layer of risk protection in volatile markets.
After Market Orders (AMO) are a simple yet powerful tool that offer unmatched flexibility to traders and investors in the Indian stock market. Whether you're looking to react to overnight market developments or simply can't trade during normal hours, AMOs give you the freedom to plan your trades calmly and execute them efficiently at market open.
Though AMOs don’t support intraday-specific orders like bracket or cover orders, they are ideal for long-term investors, swing traders, and anyone who wants to implement thoughtful strategies using tools like stop loss, or even to invest to save tax through market-linked instruments.
If you're ready to take control of your investment journey, the first step is getting started with a trusted brokerage.
Open your Demat account today with Arham Wealth and start placing smart trades, even after market hours.
Trade smarter. Trade on your schedule—with Arham Wealth.
No, AMOs are designed for delivery or positional trades. Intraday trading requires the use of other order types during live market hours, like bracket or cover order.
Yes, some brokers allow you to attach a stop loss with your AMO. However, it's best to confirm this functionality on your broker’s platform.
Not always. While limit orders help control the price, market orders may be subject to slippage depending on volatility at the market open.
AMO is available for most actively traded stocks in equity and derivatives segments, but some illiquid or restricted stocks may not support it. Always check with your broker.
You can use AMO to systematically invest in tax-saving instruments like ELSS mutual funds, allowing you to invest to save tax under Section 80C while timing the market efficiently.
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