How can we help?

Warrants and stock options are instruments that give you the right (but not the obligation) to buy shares at a set price in the future. They are typically issued for free to existing shareholders or employees.

Sharesight does not handle warrants or stock options automatically. You need to add them as separate holdings.

Warrants

A warrant is a right to buy a specific number of shares at a fixed price (the exercise price) before an expiry date. Warrants are usually issued to existing shareholders alongside a capital raise or rights offer.

Recording a warrant when you receive it Since warrants are generally issued at no cost, you record them as a buy at $0.

1. From your portfolio, click Add or import holdings, search for the warrant's ticker code (warrants typically have a different ticker to the underlying share, often with a suffix like "ABCWA" or "ABCWB"), select the warrant and click Add holding.
2. Go to Trades & income > Add trade or adjustment.
3. Trade type: Buy
4. Trade date: The date the warrant was issued to you.
5. Unit/price: $0 (warrants are typically issued for free).
6. Quantity: The number of warrants received.
7. Click Add.

Note: If you purchased warrants on-market (e.g. after they were listed), enter the price you paid rather than $0.

When the warrant expires If the warrant expires unexercised, record a sell at $0 to close the holding:

1. Open your portfolio and navigate to the warrant holding.
2. Go to Trades & income > Add trade or adjustment.
3. Trade type: Sell
4. Trade date: The expiry date.
5. Unit/price: $0
6. Quantity: The full quantity of warrants.
7. Click Add.

Stock options

Employee stock options (also called employee share options) give you the right to buy company shares at a fixed price after a vesting period. They are typically issued to employees at no upfront cost.

Recording stock options when you receive them

1. From your portfolio, click Add investments, search for the options ticker code (check your company's share registry or broker statement for the correct code), select it and click Add holding.
2. Go to Trades & income > Add trade or adjustment.
3. Trade type: Buy
4. Trade date: The grant date (the date the options were issued to you).
5. Unit/price: $0 (options are typically granted at no cost).
6. Quantity: The number of options granted.
7. Click Add.

Stock options conversion to ordinary shares

When you exercise your options, you convert them into ordinary shares. Whether this involves any fees or is a partial conversion affects how you record it.

Full conversion with no fees If all options are converted to ordinary shares and there are no conversion fees, use the Merge this holding feature.

1. Open the options holding.
2. Click Merge this holding.
3. Search for and select the ordinary share ticker code.
4. Enter the quantity.
5. Enter the exercise date.
6. Click Merge.

For full details on the merge feature, see How to use the Merge holding feature.

Partial conversion or conversion with fees

If you are only converting some of your options, or there are fees involved in the exercise, use the sell and opening balance approach instead.

Step 1: Record a Sell on the options holding

1. Open your portfolio and navigate to the options holding.
2. Go to Trades & income > Add trade or adjustment.
3. Trade type: Sell
4. Trade date: The exercise date.
5. Unit/price: The average cost base per share of the options (typically $0 if they were issued for free).
6. Quantity: The number of options you are converting (not the total if it's a partial conversion).
7. Click Add.

Step 2: Record an Opening balance on the ordinary share holding

1. Navigate to the ordinary share holding, or click Add investments if you don't already hold the stock.
2. Go to Trades & income > Add trade or adjustment.
3. Trade type: Opening balance
4. Trade date: The exercise date.
5. Unit/price: The total cost base includes (a) the cost base from the options holding (usually $0 if issued for free), plus (b) any conversion or exercise fees paid. Add fees to the brokerage field if applicable.
6. Quantity: The number of ordinary shares received.
7. Click Add.

Example: You exercise 500 options to receive 500 ordinary shares. The exercise fee is $250.

• Sell 500 options at $0 (cost base = $0)
• Opening balance: 500 shares, cost base = $250 (the exercise fee only)

Frequently asked questions

I can't find the warrant or options ticker — what should I do? Warrants and options are not always available in Sharesight's security database. Try searching variations of the ticker (e.g. with a "W" or "O" suffix). If the security isn't found, contact Sharesight support to request it be added, or use a custom security.

Do warrants or options affect my ordinary share cost base? Generally no — they are tracked as separate holdings. However, conversion fees paid when exercising options do form part of the cost base of the ordinary shares you receive.

What happens to unvested options when I leave a company? If unvested options are cancelled or forfeited, record a Sell at $0 on the options holding to close it out.

Disclaimer

The guide above is a suggestion on how to handle corporate actions in Sharesight and is not financial or tax advice. We advise you to consult your financial advisor or accountant. We also encourage you to review the relevant option or warrant documentation for full details.