In the context of equity market structure, various order types are utilized by investors to manage their buy and sell transactions in an efficient manner. For instance, a market order is designed to execute immediately at the best available current price, while a limit order sets a specific price for buying or selling a security.
Consider the following scenario: An investor places a limit order to purchase shares of Company XYZ at $50, with the current market price at $52. The investor also specifies that the order should be valid for the day. Later, during the trading session, the stock price fluctuates to $48. Assuming other conditions remain constant, how will the limit order operate in this situation?