Great Software

[AssetHound]

I've only been using the software for a week, but it is the only one that I've found that does most of what I want to do. Thanks for a great job.

If I had my way, it would really be nice to have:

Asset allocation graphs without cash accounts. While I know that I have too much cash, it would be good to know that the rest of my portfolio is roughly balanced.

Index overlays on selected graphs. I use the portfolio investments (price + distributions) on my startup page. It would really be nice to have the ability to show an index (like the S&P total return) on this graph. I know I can add a sub-portfolio, and maintain it with dividends, but it confuses my accounting and reporting since I don't always remember to subtract the "fake" portfolio from all totals.

Thanks.

[Mark]

Hi AssetHound,

Thanks for the compliment and feedback. There is no feature to automatically exclude cash from the Asset Allocation graph, but you could do it yourself manually. You could temporarily move the cash investment out of that sub-portfolio, or create a hierarchy like this:

Code: Select all

- Master
  - Account
    - Non-Cash
    - Cash

and then graph the "Non-Cash" sub-portfolio.

On the index issue, if you are using the "Portfolio/Investment Overlay" graph types you can add an index to this graph. This graph can overly sub-portfolios or investments. Just set up a new investment in a separate sub-portfolio to track the index you want. Once you have this investment, right mouse click on the graph, and choose "Overlaid Investments" and choose the index to overlay.

[AssetHound]

I knew about the sub-portfolios but didn't think about creating one for non-cash holdings. I usually report asset allocations based on all portfolios, however, and currently have 10 sub-portolios so I can't really report based on all sub-portfolios except one or two (including one that I might create for an index).

Because of time constraints, I need reporting to be mostly automated without a lot of manual adjustments for various sub-portfolios. I think the advisor solution would do what I need but that is overkill for my main needs. And, we can't have two groups of "master" portfolios -- to keep indexes in one set and investments in another -- and overlay symbols from either set to graphs from the other set. Right?

Anyway, I have most of what I need. I think the ability to add an index or symbol to graphs, without having to create sub-portfolios, would be a great enhancement for the basic version. Individuals, just like advisors, need to track performance relative to an index to prevent fooling themselves into thinking they are doing well.

Again, thanks for the excellent software.

[Mark]

Hi AssetHound,

If you are using the "Portfolio/Investment Overlay" graph you can already overlay any investment you want with your portfolio. The suggestion about creating another sub-portfolio was just a suggestion for plotting asset allocation without cash. I didn't mean to imply that was to be used for the investment overlay request.

[AssetHound]

I think I understand this. Just to be sure, what I wanted to do was use the graph (price + distribution overlay for my master portfolio) and plot that total against an index (like ^SPXTR) which I do not own or have in a sub-portfolio for the above reasons. That you can't do in any of the versions except the advisor. Right?

[Mark]

Hi AssetHound,

I think you are saying that you are using the graph type:

"Graphs / Investment Overlay / Price + Distribution".

That graph type only overlays investments (not sub-portfolios). If you want to overlay your sub-portfolio with an index, use the graph type:

"Graphs / Portfolio/Investment(s) Overlay / Price + Distribution (or Value)".

This graph is available in all versions. To select which sub-portfolio and investments to overlay, use "Graphs / Options / Overlaid Portfoios... and Overlaid Investments...". This way you can pick your sub-portfolio that you own, and also an investment that you're using to track whatever index you are interested in.

I would recommend setting up your sub-portfolio hierarchy so that your indices aren't included in your holdings. So, you can do something like this:

Code: Select all

- Master Portfolio
  - My Holdings
    - Acct 1
    - Acct 2...
  - Indices

This way, you can put your index investments in "Indices", and overlay "My Holdings" with some index investment, that is outside of your "My Holdings".