Can't enter a stock spin-off as a split in a transaction

[John Ralls]

On Mar 4, 2013, at 8:42 AM, rhill <rhill at raymondhill.net> wrote:

> Here is the problem I have:
> 
> Let's say Stock A spin-off Stock B on a specific date. I am trying to
> enter the following transaction (with made-up numbers/date) to record
> the spin-off:
> 
> Transaction:
> 1901-01-01
> 
> Split 1:
>  Action: RoC [as in Return of Capital]
>  Memo: Stock A spin-off: new ACB of Stock A [adjusted cost base] = 60%
> of ACB of Stock A before spin-off
>  Account: Stock A
>  Share: [empty]
>  Price: [empty]
>  Buy: [empty]
>  Sell: $6000
> 
> Above worked fine. Now:
> 
> Split 2:
>  Action: Add
>  Memo: Stock B issued by Stock A: ACB of Stock B = 40% of ACB of Stock
> A before spin-off
>  Account: Stock B
>  Share: 50
>  Price: [empty]
>  Buy: $6000
>  Sell: [empty]
> 
> After I try to record the transaction, I am asked which field should be
> calculated by GnuCash regarding the split for Stock B, to which I say
> "Price". Then GnuCash proceeds to change the field "Share", setting it
> exactly to the value 6000. I can't find no way of preventing GnuCash
> from overwriting the "Share" field with the amount appearing in the
> "Buy" field, while it sets the "Price" field to "1". I tried all sort of
> ways, changing the order, etc, result is always the same, even when I
> explicitly enter the "Price" of Stock B, it will revert it back to "1"...
> 
> Essentially here, it is to reduce the value of an asset, Stock A, while
> increasing the value of another asset Stock B, but GnuCash does not go
> along.
> 
> I don't know how to solve the above, that is without creating two
> distinct transactions, which involves creating a fake disbursement in
> some unrelated third account.
> 
> Any help appreciated.

I like that way of handling spin-offs. Very good.

When I follow your procedure, Gnucash just fills in the price field for me ($120) and records the transaction. You do already have the Stock B account and commodity set up and assigned in the second split, right?

Regards,
John Ralls