Trade Columns

Let’s take a minute to break down each of the columns for entering trade data:

• Symbol: This column is used to enter the security in symbol notation; such as in the example Apple Computer is AAPL. Trade matching occurs by looking at the securities symbol entered in this column so it is important that they are entered exactly and kept the same across multiple entries.
• Date: After starting to type the symbol, the date column will automatically be filled with the current days date. However, it is easy to change this value by clicking on the cell and entering the designated value.
• O / C: This column indicates whether you are Opening (O) or Closing (C) the position being entered. If you are just purchasing a new security, select “O”. If you are selling a position that you’ve been holding, select “C”.
• L / S: This column represents the type of trade that is being entered; either Long (L) or Short (S).
• In most common situations, it will be “L”.
• Shares: The amount of shares that were placed for this trade.
• Share Price: The price at which you bought or sold the security.
• Commission: The commission that was paid just for this one trade taken place.
• Amount: This is the value of the trade at purchase. It is automatically calculated when you enter in the trade information. Formula: Shares x Share Price
• P / L: This is the profit or loss that was taken once a trade has been closed. It is calculated using either FIFO (first-in, first-out) or LIFO (last-in, last-out) cost basis as specified in the Preferences menu. Cost basis only applies for securities in which there were multiple partial position entries and exits. Using FIFO, the earliest shares purchased will be sold first and worked forward until the latest shares purchased are sold. Using LIFO, the most recent shares purchased will be sold first and worked back until the earliest shares purchased are sold.

NOTE: It is not currently possible to close a position by entering a trade taken in the opposite direction. For example, to close an open Long position that has 100 shares, you would select “C” in the O/C column and “L” in the L/S column. In other words, you are closing a current long position. You cannot close the trade by opening a new short position for the same amount of shares.