Terminology question on Stock Split screen

BK

I would like some clarification on the Stock Split pop-up screen terminology please – specifically the real meaning behind New shares and Old shares.  Though they seem self-explanatory, the results are confusing to me.  Let's take the case where I had 5 shares of Google and now I have 100 shares after the 20:1 split.

• What got downloaded was 1 to 0.05 and yielded holdings of 100 shares.
• I manually edited and changed it to 100 to 5.  Still holdings of 100 shares.
• Later I changed it to 20 to 1.  Still correct holdings of 100 shares.

I was expecting to see my holdings number change but in all cases they remained the same 100 shares.  What this exercise tells me is that the wordings are perhaps confusing and in reality, behind the scenes the are multipliers, as in "New shares multiplier" and "Old shares multiplier".  Is my understanding correct?  TIA.

q_lurker

I have not undertaken the depth of investigation you took, but my opinion is that the program has always used those two numbers to determine one ratio, and then uses that one ratio. By asking for the two values (numerator and denominator), they might improve accuracy. 

For example, Entering 20 new shares and 7 old shares might prove slightly more accurate than 2.857143 and 1. 

Ps56k2

yeah - my Schwab was indeed the ratio of 1 - 0.05 - which I then changed to 20-1 to feel better

It has always been the ratio used for the recalc ....

Sherlock

Unfortunately, Quicken is inconsistent.  There are other wizards that request the ratio instead of asking for two values.  For example, Corporate Acquisition (stock for stock).

I suspect the intent of asking for two numbers is to try to make it less challenging for some users. 

BK

Thank you ALL for validating my interpretation.  I was initially  thinking to go with with 20-1, then decided to go with 100-5 (actual numbers).  This way I stay consistent with the wording within this pop-up screen.  And in the memo I'll enter 20:1.

q_lurker

I think you are overreading the labels.  The help description does not support your new/old shares "in the account" interpretation.  

New shares and Old shares
Enter the ratio of new shares to old. For example, if the stock split is 2-for-1, enter 2 in the New Shares field and 1 in the Old Shares field.

When that StkSplt transaction gets entered in one account, it gets duplicated in every other account holding that security.  The two share numbers that might apply specific to the first account would likely not apply in any other account.  

BK

Thank you for this new info @q_lurker .  I wasn't aware.