An instrument is the investment or asset connected to a transaction.
For example:
- GOOGL shares
- XEQT units
- Bitcoin
- A specific option contract
- US-dollar cash
Adjustibl keeps each instrument separate so purchases, sales, income, positions, and other activity can be calculated against the correct history.
Instruments supported today
Adjustibl currently produces automatic calculation output for these instrument types. An unusual or incomplete transaction can still be held for review.
| Instrument | What Adjustibl can track |
|---|---|
| Stocks | Purchases, sales, dividends, return of capital, reinvested dividends, splits, transfers, short positions, and other supported activity |
| ETFs | Purchases, sales, distributions, return of capital, reinvested distributions, splits, transfers, short positions, and other supported activity |
| Mutual funds | Purchases, redemptions, distributions, fund switches, return of capital, reinvested distributions, and transfers |
| Options | Bought and written options, closing transactions, expiry, exercise, assignment, cash settlement, and links to the underlying stock or ETF |
| Crypto | Purchases, sales, swaps, transfers, network fees, and other supported activity |
| Cash and currencies | Deposits, withdrawals, interest, fees, withholding, transfers, and foreign-exchange conversions |
The exact calculation also depends on the tax treatment selected for the account.
Why the instrument type matters
A symbol by itself is not always enough to identify what you traded.
A stock and an ETF can have different kinds of activity. A mutual fund may use a fund code rather than an exchange ticker. An option needs an underlying investment, expiry date, strike price, call or put type, and contract multiplier.
Adjustibl uses this information to decide which transactions are valid and how they affect the position.
For example, selling a stock reduces the shares you hold and may produce a gain or loss. Selling an option could close an option you bought earlier or open a new written position. The instrument type and transaction history help Adjustibl tell the difference.
Options need an underlying instrument
Every option must be connected to its underlying stock or ETF.
For example, a GOOGL call option and GOOGL shares are separate instruments, but the option points back to the GOOGL stock. This connection matters when an option is exercised or assigned because the option can change the cost or proceeds of the underlying shares.
Adjusted option contracts may also require additional review when the multiplier or deliverable has changed.
Foreign-currency instruments
The trading currency is part of the instrument's history, but it is not the final currency used for Canadian calculations.
If you buy a US stock, Adjustibl records the transaction in US dollars and converts the relevant amount to Canadian dollars using the exchange rate for that transaction. A later sale may use a different exchange rate.
This is why a gain shown by your brokerage in US dollars may not match the gain calculated in Canadian dollars.
What is not automatically calculated
Futures can be recorded in Adjustibl, but their lifecycle calculations are currently held for review. Adjustibl does not yet finalize gains or losses for futures positions.
Bonds and real estate are not currently available for calculations. Other custom assets do not receive automatic calculations.
Do not select a similar instrument type simply to make an unsupported asset fit. A bond should not be recorded as a stock, for example. The wrong type can produce calculations that look complete but do not reflect what actually happened.
If an instrument or transaction is not supported, keep the original records and leave it for separate review.
Review the instrument before relying on the result
Even a supported instrument can require review when important information is missing.
Check details such as:
- Instrument type
- Symbol or fund code
- Trading currency
- Exchange
- Option expiry, strike, and multiplier
- Underlying stock or ETF
- Futures contract month
Getting the instrument right gives Adjustibl the correct history to work from. It also makes later calculations and explanations much easier to follow.