How to Create a Portfolio to Track Stocks

You don't need a complicated spreadsheet program to track your stock portfolio. Many Web sites will do it for you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet Access
• Brokerage Accounts
• Computers
• Personal Financial Software

1. Print out this information before you start, so you can keep it on hand as you create an online stock portfolio or spreadsheet.
2. Log on to the Internet.
3. Go to a finance Web site such as finance.yahoo.com.
4. Click Register/Sign In, then follow the prompts to register with Yahoo.
5. Click Create next to the word Portfolios.
6. Click the Create New Portfolio button.
7. Name your portfolio - for example, "Joe's stocks."
8. Indicate whether you want stock quotes given in U.S. dollars or other currency.
9. List the ticker symbols of the stocks you want to track. If you don't know a ticker symbol, click Look Up Symbol.
10. Indicate whether you wish to have your stocks listed in alphabetical order. Add other features to your portfolio, such as an indication of the number of shares you hold, the date purchased and other data.
11. Click the Finished button when you've set up the spreadsheet or portfolio.
12. Bookmark the page so you can readily find it.
13. Review the portfolio. You should see your stocks, listed in alphabetical order (if you chose that option), along with the latest sale price, the change in price from the previous day's close and volume. The block on the far right will provide links to a company profile (if available), a stock chart, recent news about the company and other data.
14. Make changes to the portfolio by clicking Edit.
15. Save changes by clicking the Finished button.

Tips & Warnings

• Many personal finance Web sites also let you set up an online portfolio.