Difference between revisions of "Stocks/add stock"

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[[Category:Usage]]
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See also: [[Online Quotes]]
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== Overview ==
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For more information, see Chapter 9 of the GnuCash [http://www.gnucash.org/viewdoc.phtml?doc=guide Tutorial and Concepts Guide].
 +
 
 
GnuCash allows you to track your holdings in various types of investments, such as stocks and mutual funds. This page describes how to add stocks or mutual funds to your portfolio, with detailed instruction on the settings to use.
 
GnuCash allows you to track your holdings in various types of investments, such as stocks and mutual funds. This page describes how to add stocks or mutual funds to your portfolio, with detailed instruction on the settings to use.
  
 
Stocks and mutual funds are types of commodities, and in GnuCash, an account for these investments is set up slightly differently from a checking or savings account. Most prominently, a stock account is denominated in ''shares of stock'', rather than in a currency. In order to track your holdings, you need to provide details of that commodity to GnuCash.
 
Stocks and mutual funds are types of commodities, and in GnuCash, an account for these investments is set up slightly differently from a checking or savings account. Most prominently, a stock account is denominated in ''shares of stock'', rather than in a currency. In order to track your holdings, you need to provide details of that commodity to GnuCash.
 
;Before you start: read the chapter about [{{URL:docs}}C/gnucash-guide/chapter_invest.html Investments] in the '''Tutorial and Concepts Guide''' and
 
:see the [{{URL:docs}}C/gnucash-help/acct-create.html description of the dialogs] in the '''Manual'''.
 
;See also: [[Online Quotes]]
 
  
 
== Adding the Security to GnuCash ==
 
== Adding the Security to GnuCash ==
  
We will take the stock Amazon (AMZN) as an example.
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We will take the stock Intel (INTC) as an example.
  
 
* Go to Tools->Security Editor
 
* Go to Tools->Security Editor
 
* Click "Add"
 
* Click "Add"
* Put "Amazon" into the "Full Name" field
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* Put "Intel" into the "Full Name" field
* Put "AMZN" into the "Symbol/Abbreviation" and "Display symbol" fields - for other stocks: the symbol depends on the source of your online quotes.
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* Put "INTC" into the "Symbol/Abbreviation" field - for other stocks: the symbol depends on the source of your online quotes.
* Enter a category in the Type field. We'll use "NASDAQ".
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* Take "NASDAQ" as the type
* Optionally, if you like to get online prices, complete the following fields:-
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* If you like to get online prices mark the field "Get online quotes"
** Check "Get Online Quotes"
 
** Select a preference for "Type of quote source" (Single|Multiple|Unknown)
 
** Choose the preferred [[#Online_Quotes|Finance Quote]] source (e.g., "Yahoo as JSON") from the dropdown list
 
  
Once saved, this security can now be used to create an account to track your holdings.
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Once saved, this security can now be used in the definition of an account.
See this screenshot:-<br>
 
[[File:Gnc jb1 Add Security.jpg|Adding a security]]
 
  
== Adding the Account for the Security ==
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== Adding the Security Account ==
  
 
To create the new account to track your holdings, go to the Chart of Accounts window.
 
To create the new account to track your holdings, go to the Chart of Accounts window.
  
 
* Click New Account
 
* Click New Account
* Put "Amazon.com, Inc." (or whatever description you wish) into the "Account name" field
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* Put "Intel" into the "Account name" field"
 
* Choose "Stock" as type  
 
* Choose "Stock" as type  
 
* Click on the "Select" button for the "Security/Currency" field
 
* Click on the "Select" button for the "Security/Currency" field
* Choose "NASDAQ" as type and "(AMZN) Amazon" as security
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* Choose "NASDAQ" as type and "(INTC) Intel" as security
 
* Set Parent Account to an account in the Assets branch of your chart
 
* Set Parent Account to an account in the Assets branch of your chart
 
* Click "Ok"
 
* Click "Ok"
  
See this screenshot:-<br>
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Optionally you will probably also want to add related income and expense accounts to track dividends and expenses associated with this stock.
[[File:Gnc jb2 Link Account to Security.jpg|Linking new Account to a security]]
 
 
 
Optionally, you can add related income and expense accounts to track dividends and expenses associated with this stock.
 
  
 
If you chose to get online quotes you can receive online quotes by opening the Price Editor (Tools->Price editor) and clicking on "get quotes". See [[Online Quotes]] for more information.
 
If you chose to get online quotes you can receive online quotes by opening the Price Editor (Tools->Price editor) and clicking on "get quotes". See [[Online Quotes]] for more information.

Revision as of 23:00, 11 October 2022

See also: Online Quotes

Overview

For more information, see Chapter 9 of the GnuCash Tutorial and Concepts Guide.

GnuCash allows you to track your holdings in various types of investments, such as stocks and mutual funds. This page describes how to add stocks or mutual funds to your portfolio, with detailed instruction on the settings to use.

Stocks and mutual funds are types of commodities, and in GnuCash, an account for these investments is set up slightly differently from a checking or savings account. Most prominently, a stock account is denominated in shares of stock, rather than in a currency. In order to track your holdings, you need to provide details of that commodity to GnuCash.

Adding the Security to GnuCash

We will take the stock Intel (INTC) as an example.

  • Go to Tools->Security Editor
  • Click "Add"
  • Put "Intel" into the "Full Name" field
  • Put "INTC" into the "Symbol/Abbreviation" field - for other stocks: the symbol depends on the source of your online quotes.
  • Take "NASDAQ" as the type
  • If you like to get online prices mark the field "Get online quotes"

Once saved, this security can now be used in the definition of an account.

Adding the Security Account

To create the new account to track your holdings, go to the Chart of Accounts window.

  • Click New Account
  • Put "Intel" into the "Account name" field"
  • Choose "Stock" as type
  • Click on the "Select" button for the "Security/Currency" field
  • Choose "NASDAQ" as type and "(INTC) Intel" as security
  • Set Parent Account to an account in the Assets branch of your chart
  • Click "Ok"

Optionally you will probably also want to add related income and expense accounts to track dividends and expenses associated with this stock.

If you chose to get online quotes you can receive online quotes by opening the Price Editor (Tools->Price editor) and clicking on "get quotes". See Online Quotes for more information.

Stocks noted in foreign currency

If you start your first (buy) transaction from your stock account, the currency of the parent account will be used. Assuming your default currency is USD and you wish to buy stocks in EUR, then you should first create a normal asset account of currency EUR and below this your stock accounts.

Alternatively you could start your first transaction from you EUR cash or bank account, but with the first approach everything is much clearer - also later if you forgot the nominal currency.