How to show true basis for a stock that gets reinvested divi

[cah1942]

I update my symbols manually and have not figured out how to get a true basis for stocks that I own. An example; 12 years ago I bought TRV for $40.05 I have reinvested dividends for the entire time I have owned TRV. My basis should be $40.05 but it shows $52.39 as the basis. I can only assume that it is averaging up my basis when each dividend is reinvested. How can I fix this so that my true cost basis is shown in Fund Manager.

[Mark]

Hi cah1942,

There are 2 types of cost basis: Tax and OOP.

Tax Basis: This is the basis of your shares if you were to sell them. Since you reinvested dividends, all those reinvestment amounts add to your tax basis.

OOP (Out Of Pocket) Basis: This is the amount you paid for the shares, ignoring the reinvested dividends. See the documentation.

It sounds like you are looking for the OOP cost. You can get this in a report, or in the Portfolio Editor. For example, in a Custom report, see the field:

Out of pocket basis (Current)

[cah1942]

Mark; thanks for the reply. Most of my $ is in IRA's so the only thing that I really want to see is my OOP cost so I assume that if I just change a column in my portfolio report I will be OK. Chuck

[cah1942]

Mark; I have followed your suggestion and used OOP Historical Basis/Share and the numbers still are not correct. Chuck

[Mark]

Hi Chuck,

So, you've only bought this once? You don't have any other buys/sells/splits? How are you calculating what you're expecting to see? If you'd like, you can email me your *.dat investment file, along with what you're expecting to see, and I can take a closer look.

[cah1942]

Mark; I don't know how to do that. My tel number is 847-550-0230 Chuck

[Mark]

Hi Chuck,

I tried calling, but there was no answer. Please give me a call at 480-705-0129 when you have a minute.