Any type of event that triggers a securities trade. A trade trigger is usually a market condition, such as a rise or fall in the price of an index or security. Trade triggers are used to automate certain types of trades, such as selling shares of a stock when the price reaches a certain level.

Day traders often use trade triggers in order to avoid having to constantly monitor market conditions. Trade triggers are automatic, thus freeing the trader to focus on other tasks. Most online brokers and day trading programs both teach and offer this strategy to investors.