How can I enter a Corporate Name Change with an associated Symbol Change?

loutrim

Aqua America (WTR) became Essential Utilites, Inc. (WTRG) on February 3, 2020. If I change the name in the Security List, I will use all previous references to Aqua America. If I simply change the Aqua America symbol, then I can't refer to Essential Utilities. If I spin-off, XIn/XOut, etc., my lot information will be updated. Does Quicken have a way of handling this?

Jim_Harman

What is the problem with having your lot information updated? If you do a Corporate Acquisition, Quicken will enter one Removed for the old name and one Added for each lot of the new company that you hold on the acquisition date, with the original acquisition dates and cost basis maintained. If this is actually just a name change, make the new share price the same and enter 1 in the new shares box (1 new for each share of the old)

This will preserve all your transactions with the old company.

Be sure to back up your data first in case you do not like the result.

loutrim

Correction: "If I change the name in the Security List, I will *LOSE* all previous references to Aqua America."

Jim_Harman

What is the problem with having your lot information updated? If you do a Corporate Acquisition, Quicken will enter one Removed for the old name and one Added for each lot of the new company that you hold on the acquisition date, with the original acquisition dates and cost basis maintained. If this is actually just a name change, make the new share price the same and enter 1 in the new shares box (1 new for each share of the old)

This will preserve all your transactions with the old company.

Be sure to back up your data first in case you do not like the result.

Sherlock

When a company changes its name, it should be referred to by it's new name.  When a company changes its ticker symbol, it should be referred to by the new ticker symbol.   The Corporate Name Change wizard changes the security's name and enters a reminder in the transaction list.  To change the ticker symbol, we edit the security.

There are a variety of ways to circumvent this behavior. For example, you could use the Corporate Acquisition (stock for stock) wizard. 

loutrim

Thanks, Jim_Harman. I did not realize the acquisition dates and cost basis were maintained. It looked to me like they were being reset to the date of the name change. I'll try it again and pay closer attention.

q_lurker

IMO, in this case, the name change and ticker change seems more appropriate.  Yes, your prior transactions will refer to Essential Utilities rather that Aqua America.  I don't know of a financial or record-keeping drawback to that.  They are one in the same company.  You could rename the company "Essential Util - aka Aqua America" as an example, if that would help you.  

Doing a Corporate Acquisition (Remove Shares / Add Shares) can have an impact on some (not all) of Quicken's performance parameters. 

Either choice you make is OK and you can follow your personal preference.  I just see this being presented publicly as a name change.

UKR

loutrim said:

Thanks, Jim_Harman. I did not realize the acquisition dates and cost basis were maintained. It looked to me like they were being reset to the date of the name change. I'll try it again and pay closer attention.

Yes, the new Add Shares transactions are recorded on the date you specify, but the original purchase date is maintained under the covers. You'll see this in some of the reports and views, but not in the register.