When a security changes names

Question

What is the best way to deal with the event where a security changes its name and you have share totals prior to that in the old name and then new totals after the name change. How do I combine the 2 securities. Both have the same symbol.

Example : "Royal Dutch Shell PLC ADRCL B" became "Royal Dutch Shell PLC ADRCL A" and I have transactions and totals prior to that date under the first security name and then after under the second security name.

In my broker statement, they have switched all the shares to the second name (A).

In the Quicken Summary screen for that account BOTH (A and B) securities appear with "x' number of shares for the first and "y" number of shares for the second. The total of Quicken's "x" and "y" is the number of shares that the broker's statement under the new name.

In the Quicken Security List the security exists as 2 securities (the 2 names) and the same symbol. Is there a way to make Quicken realize they are the same security and combine the share totals of both under one name?

If I just remove shares from B and then add them to A won't I end up with a placeholder asking me about the cost of the added shares? It would be tedious to reconstruct all the old transactions, dividends, etc. prior to the name change. I do not see a transactiuon called "security name change"

Thanks.

Jeff

John Pollard · Accepted Answer

How about one called "Corporate Name Change"?  :)

John Pollard · Answer

Or if you own the security in a "Single Mutual Fund" account: one called "Mutual Fund Name Change".

Jeff · Answer

Thanks John. Don't know what we would do without you.

Unfortunately I already tried that. When I enter a transaction on the date the change took place and try to use "Corporate Name Change" transaction, it would not allow me to use the new name because it said "Security name already in use. Please use a new name". That is of course because, as explained, there are newer transactions under the new name.

That is why I asked. Catch 22.

Any other suggestions?

I considered withdraw/remove the number of shares from the old name and then adding them to the new name, but then I do not know what to enter for cost, etc. in the add transaction.

Jeff

John Pollard wrote:

John Pollard · Answer

You have to do the name change before you have any transactions with the new name

I don't understand what you're asking here, but I would just modify the new transactions to have the old name, then do the Corporate Name Change.

John Pollard · Answer

I should have said to delete the "new" security after you modify the new transactions ... then do the name change.

When a security changes names

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