Date acquired question

[gmsimon]

Not sure if this is a bug or just me not understanding...

Using one of my stocks as an example:

9/5/11 Bought 1000 shares
3/30/12 Bought 500 shares
4/23/12 Bought 500 shares
6/4/12 Sold 500 shares (using 'Specified Lots' basis method & selected the 4/23/12 lot as the one being sold). The basis/share following this transaction is correct.

However, the 'Acquired-start' date in Portfolio Editor shows 4/23/12 rather than the 9/5/11 that I expected to see.

Any ideas on this? Thanks.

[Mark]

Hi gmsimon,

I just test entered the data you provided, and the "Acquired - Start" field in the Portfolio Editor correctly shows 9/5/11. Are you entering all your transactions into the same investment? Are you using version 12.1? If you're still seeing this problem, please attach this investment file (*.dat) to a post, or you can email us the file, as an attachment.

[gmsimon]

Mark:

Yes, using 12.1 & yes, all transactions in same investment in same sub-portfolio. Am uploading ESRX.dat and ESRX1.dat...

Thanks

[Mark]

Hi gmsimon,

You have more sell transactions in this investment than just the one's you mentioned. There are also 2 more redemptions, on 12/17/12 and 1/22/13. Between all 3 redemptions, you've sold 1,500 shares. The "Acquired - Start" field displays the first purchase date for the shares still owned as of the current date. This is done using the FIFO accounting method. Since you've sold 1,500 shares up through today, all of your purchased shares on 9/5/11 and 3/30/12 have been sold, with the FIFO accounting method. This means your first purchase for the currently owned shares is 4/23/12.

If you want to know which dates you still have un-sold for the Specific Lot accounting method that you're using, use the "Open Lots" report instead of this field in the Portfolio Editor.

[gmsimon]

Ok, thanks (yes, I had left out some transactions just for brevity).

I had assumed the Acquired-Start date worked off of Specific Lots as well (if this cost basis method was used), rather than FIFO. Would still vote for a start date that incorporated logic to look at remaining lots first, then set the date rather than just using FIFO.

Thanks for your help & explanation.