Selling stock - Considering market order

[gretrust]

Hi all

Newbie at stock trading.

I am planning to sell around 1000 shares that I have been holding long.
The last trade was at 50$, the BID is showing as 52.50 (x100)
(Decent volume being traded 10 mil current)

Im time-sensitive but dont want to risk a big drop in the price as well. I understand market orders execute at the lowest price.

If I were to place a market order for these 1000x shares, is there anyway to calculate risk of selling at much lower actual price? For eg: Im okay if the price ends up being 48/per share, but dont want to end up settling at 40/42 per share.

Also wondering if there is a better way of doing this. Should I consider placing a limit order at a lower ask price to be safe, 48/share.
I am quite sensitive about the market timing at the moment and prefer getting out fairly quick.

Thanks for reading, looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

[tech/a]

If You sell at market before Close and not at the opening auction then
you'll be filled at the price being traded.

If you sell at either Auction then you'll be filled at the Average.

Just sell once open.

 

[gretrust]

ok thanks, Market order when the exchange opens seems to be the way.

Just got confused with a lot of chatter on how market orders can be a lot lower price than expected.