In online trading, particularly in the forex market, requotes are a frustrating reality for many traders. The statement “you should never experience requotes” reflects an ideal standard, but is it always achievable? This article explores the truth behind requotes, when they occur, and whether modern brokers have truly eliminated them.

What are requotes in trading?

A requote occurs when a trader attempts to execute a trade at a specific price, but due to market movement or delays in execution, the price is no longer available. The broker then offers a new, updated price — often less favourable — and the trader must decide whether to accept or reject the new quote.

This phenomenon is most common in market execution models during high volatility, low liquidity, or if the broker’s execution infrastructure is subpar. Requotes can disrupt strategies and reduce trust, particularly for scalpers and short-term traders who rely on fast execution.

Why do traders believe they should never experience requotes?

The expectation of no requotes has grown with the advancement of trading technology. STP (Straight-Through Processing), ECN (Electronic Communication Network), and DMA (Direct Market Access) models promise near-instantaneous order execution directly into the market. These models minimise human intervention and prioritise speed and price transparency.

Brokers advertising “no requotes” often operate under these models, positioning themselves as technologically superior to traditional market makers. For experienced traders, any instance of a requote is now seen as a sign of poor execution quality — and in some cases, even broker manipulation.

When are requotes still possible?

Despite advancements, requotes can still happen under certain conditions:

1. Market volatility:
During major news events (e.g. NFP, central bank decisions), prices can spike or gap within milliseconds. Even top-tier brokers might not be able to fill your order at the requested price.

2. Low liquidity:
Exotic currency pairs or trading during off-market hours can result in thin liquidity. Requotes may occur if there’s no counterparty willing to take the other side of your trade.

3. Broker type:
Market maker brokers are more prone to requotes, especially those using a dealing desk. These brokers might intentionally introduce delays or requotes to protect themselves from adverse selection.

4. Slow internet or trading infrastructure:
Requotes may result from latency on the trader’s side. If your internet connection is unstable or if you’re using outdated trading software, execution can be delayed, increasing the chances of receiving a requote.

Can requotes be eliminated completely?

In theory, yes — if a broker provides true market execution through ECN or DMA, and you’re trading in liquid conditions with fast connectivity, requotes should be virtually nonexistent. However, in reality, no broker can guarantee zero requotes in all conditions, especially during extreme market events.

Some brokers mitigate this by offering slippage controls or guaranteed stop losses, while others offer price tolerance settings in their platforms to reduce requotes by automatically accepting minor deviations in price.

How to avoid requotes

If you’re experiencing frequent requotes, consider the following actions:

1. Switch to an ECN or STP broker:
These brokers route orders directly to the market and are less likely to issue requotes.

2. Trade during high liquidity hours:
Stick to the major trading sessions like London and New York overlap for smoother execution.

3. Improve your trading setup:
Use a Virtual Private Server (VPS) if you’re using expert advisors or trade frequently. A fast, wired internet connection also helps.

4. Set slippage tolerance:
Platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5 allow you to define how much slippage you’re willing to accept, reducing the chance of a requote.

5. Avoid trading during news releases:
High-impact events create unpredictable price moves, so trading just before or during them increases the likelihood of requotes and slippage.

Conclusion

The belief that you should never experience requotes is rooted in modern expectations of trading technology and broker transparency. While it is a reasonable goal when trading with high-quality ECN/STP brokers under normal market conditions, requotes can still happen due to volatility, low liquidity, or poor infrastructure. Traders should aim to minimise requotes by choosing the right broker, using reliable equipment, and trading during optimal conditions — but accept that in rare circumstances, they may still occur.

For a deeper understanding of trade execution and how to build robust strategies that reduce execution risk, explore our expert-led Trading Courses at Traders MBA.