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🎯 NVDA 9% Trailing Stop - Quick Setup (2 Minutes)

Date: October 14, 2025

Current NVDA Position:

  • Quantity: 1 share
  • Entry: $121.14
  • Current Price: ~$188
  • Current Gain: +$67 (+55%)
  • Existing Stop: $178 (fixed)

Goal: Upgrade to 9% Trailing Stop

This will protect your gains while allowing unlimited upside as NVDA rises.

📋 Step-by-Step Instructions (schwab.com)

1. Log into Schwab

Go to: schwab.com and log in

2. Navigate to Trade

  • Click "Trade" in the top menu
  • Select "Stocks & ETFs"

3. Find Your NVDA Position

You should see NVDA in your positions list: - 1 share - Current value: ~$188

4. Click "Trade" Button

Click the "Trade" button next to NVDA

5. Set Up the Order

Action: SELL (you're selling if price drops)

Quantity: 1

Order Type: Click the dropdown and select "Trailing Stop %" - You may see: "Trailing Stop $" and "Trailing Stop %" - Select: "Trailing Stop %" (percentage is easier)

Trail Amount: Enter 9 - This means: Stop will trigger if price drops 9% from the highest point reached

Duration: GTC (Good Til Cancelled) - This keeps the order active until it triggers or you cancel it

6. Review the Order

You should see something like: 

Symbol: NVDA
Action: Sell
Quantity: 1
Order Type: Trailing Stop %
Trail %: 9%
Duration: GTC

Current Stop Level: ~$171 (9% below current $188) - As NVDA rises, this stop automatically rises - As NVDA falls, stop stays at highest level reached

Protection: Locks in minimum +$50 gain (+41%)

7. Place the Order

Click "Review Order" → "Place Order"

✅ What This Does

Example Scenario:

  1. Today: NVDA = $188, Stop = $171 (9% below)

  2. Tomorrow NVDA rises to $200:

  3. Stop automatically adjusts to $182 (9% below $200)

  4. Locked gain now: +$61 (+50%)

  5. Next day NVDA rises to $220:

  6. Stop automatically adjusts to $200.20 (9% below $220)

  7. Locked gain now: +$79 (+65%)

  8. If NVDA drops 9% from highest:

  9. Stop triggers automatically
  10. You sell at the stop price
  11. Gain is locked in

Key Benefit: You never have to manually adjust the stop. It rises with NVDA automatically!

🔄 Replacing Existing $178 Stop

Important: When you place this trailing stop, you should:

  1. First: Cancel your existing $178 fixed stop order
  2. Go to: Orders → Working Orders
  3. Find: NVDA Stop at $178

  4. Click: Cancel

  5. Then: Place the 9% trailing stop (steps above)

Why: You don't want two stop orders competing. The trailing stop will replace it.

📊 Comparison: Old vs New Stop

Old Stop (Fixed at $178):

  • ❌ Never moves up
  • ❌ If NVDA goes to $250, stop still at $178
  • ✅ Locks in +$57 gain (+47%)
  • ⚠️ Leaves $10+ on the table if NVDA rises

New Stop (9% Trailing):

  • ✅ Automatically rises as NVDA rises
  • ✅ If NVDA goes to $250, stop moves to $227.50
  • ✅ Locks in current +$50 gain (+41%) MINIMUM
  • ✅ Captures future gains automatically

⏱️ Time Estimate: 2 Minutes

  1. Log in: 30 seconds
  2. Navigate to Trade: 10 seconds
  3. Set up order: 60 seconds
  4. Review and place: 20 seconds

Total: ~2 minutes

🆘 Troubleshooting

Q: I don't see "Trailing Stop %" in the dropdown - Try: "Trailing Stop $" instead - Enter: $16.95 (which is 9% of $188) - Same result, just using dollar amount instead of percentage

Q: Order is rejected - Check: Did you cancel the old $178 stop first? - Check: Is market open? (9:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET, Mon-Fri) - Solution: Call Schwab: 1-800-435-4000

Q: I want a tighter stop - Use: 7% trail instead of 9% - Tighter = More protection, but might exit sooner on normal volatility

Q: I want a looser stop - Use: 12% trail instead of 9% - Looser = Less chance of exit on volatility, but less protection

Recommended: Stick with 9% - good balance for NVDA

✅ After You Place the Order

Verify: 1. Go to: Orders → Working Orders 2. You should see: NVDA Trailing Stop % 9%, GTC 3. Current stop level should be shown (~$171)

Monitor: - Check daily: schwab.com → Positions - Stop level will update automatically as NVDA moves - You'll get a notification if the stop triggers

🎯 Bottom Line

Before: Fixed stop at $178 (+$57 locked, +47%) After: Trailing 9% stop (~$171 now, but rises automatically)

Result: - ✅ Current gain protected (+$50 minimum) - ✅ Future gains automatically captured - ✅ "Set it and forget it" protection - ✅ Unlimited upside potential

Time to complete: 2 minutes on schwab.com

Ready? Go do it now! 🚀

Then come back and let me know it's done. We'll have all positions protected with trailing stops.