What is a watchlist?

A watchlist allows you to track stocks or funds that interest you. The watchlist displays the last closing price as well as the current dollar and % changes, but it doesn't display other transactional information. You can view or edit the list on the Investing page or in Portfolio Tracker. Changes made in one location will simultaneously be reflected in the other.

To log in you must first register as a Portfolio Tracker user and create a default watchlist. Both tools are free and registration takes just a couple of minutes. For more, see How do I create a new watchlist?

If you already use Portfolio Tracker, simply enter your portfolio user name and password. If you have already established a default watchlist in your portfolio, the ticker symbols and price changes should appear in the Watchlist area of the Investing page.

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How does the watchlist and Portfolio Tracker work?

The Watchlist area of the Investing page is based on the Portfolio Tracker's default watchlist and synchronizes with your portfolio every time you add or delete a security.

A watchlist lets you follow only the performance of a stock or mutual fund. It does not display transactional functions, such as buying, selling or reinvesting shares. The securities in your watchlist are kept separate from other securities in your portfolio. They are not included in the portfolio summary or the total value of your holdings.

To take advantage of all the Portfolio Tracker functions, you must create a transactional portfolio. See the Portfolio Tracker Help page for more information.

Note: To use the watchlist and Portfolio Tracker, your browser must accept "cookies," small textual pieces of information stored on your computer. See the Portfolio Tracker Help page for more information on setting up and clearing your browser's cookies. Note that if you clear your cookies, your watchlist will appear to be blank. The information is not lost; you simply must log back into your portfolio.

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How do I create a new watchlist?

New Users:
Step 1 After establishing a user name and password, you’ll be taken to a screen labeled "Add Portfolio." Select "Watchlist" and click on the "Continue" button.

Step 2 Next you will see the Watchlist Set-Up screen, where you will be asked to:

• Name your watchlist
  
  
• Enter your securities
  
  
• Select how often you'd like the list to refresh with updated information
  
  
• Make this your default watchlist
  
  

Note: You can create any number of watchlists, but only your default watchlist can be displayed on the Investing page.

Step 3 To get your watchlist to appear on Kiplinger's Investing page, you will need to enter your user name and password in the Watchlist area. This second login matches you with your portfolio information and saves your identity on your computer with a cookie. Your default should appear with the title you gave it.

If you already use Portfolio Tracker:
Create a new watchlist by clicking the Add Portfolio link and following steps the steps above.

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Where are my old watchlist's stocks?

Unfortunately, we could not import past watchlist information into this new tool. Until you create a new watchlist you will see the phrase "There are no securities for this watchlist."

If you are a registered Portfolio Tracker user, you may already see a list of securities. This list is generated from your portfolio's default watchlist and synchronizes with your portfolio every time you add or delete a security. If you are a registered portfolio user and do not see your default watchlist, log in to your portfolio.

I created a portfolio watchlist, but I don't see it on the Investing page. What's wrong?

There may be a couple of reasons: You may have disabled cookies on your browser, or you may have cleared your cookies.

See the Portfolio Tracker Help page for more information on setting up and clearing your browser's cookies. Once cookies are enabled, enter your user name and password information again. (See Step 3 above.)

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How do I update my watchlist?

To add a security to the watchlist, type the new ticker into the add/delete box and hit the Go button. You can enter both stock and mutual fund ticker symbols.

To delete a security from the watchlist, type the ticker into the add/delete box and hit the go button. If you can't remember the symbol, click the symbol lookup link on the Investing or Home pages.)

If you update your watchlist on the Investing page, your watchlist in the Portfolio Tracker will also update, and vice versa.

How can I change my watchlist?

You can create any number of watchlists, but only one can be displayed on the Investing page at a time. This watchlist is known as your default watchlist. To change your default watchlist:

• Log in to Portfolio Tracker.
  
  
• Select the watchlist you wish to make your default.
  
  
• Once the watchlist has loaded, click Edit Watchlist.
  
  
• Check the "Make this my Default Watchlist" box.

If you have questions about the watchlist or other research tools, visit the feedback forum in the Kiplinger.com Community.

Go to the Watchlist