diff --git a/hledger-lib/doc/hledger_journal.5.m4.md b/hledger-lib/doc/hledger_journal.5.m4.md index 54e20db6a..6b29f569d 100644 --- a/hledger-lib/doc/hledger_journal.5.m4.md +++ b/hledger-lib/doc/hledger_journal.5.m4.md @@ -424,18 +424,17 @@ rate of purchases made in a foreign currency. ### Market prices Market prices are not tied to a particular transaction; they represent -historical exchange rates between two commodities, usually from some -public market which publishes such rates. +historical exchange rates between two commodities. For example, the prices +published by a [stock exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_exchange) +or the [foreign exchange market](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_exchange_market). -When market prices are known, the `-V/--value` option will use them to -convert reported amounts to their market value as of the report end -date. This option is currently available only with the -[balance](#balance) command. +When market prices are known and in effect at the +[report end date](hledger.html#report-start-end-date) (see hledger -> Report start & end date), +the balance command's `-V/--value` option will show balances as their market value on that date. +(This option is currently available only with the [balance](#balance) command.) -You record market prices (Ledger calls them historical prices) with a -P directive, in the journal or perhaps in a separate -[included](#including-other-files) file. Market price directives have -the format: +To record market prices (Ledger calls them historical prices), use P directives, +in the journal or an [included](#including-other-files) file. Their format is: ```journal P DATE COMMODITYSYMBOL UNITPRICE ``` @@ -447,8 +446,6 @@ P 2009/1/1 € $1.35 P 2010/1/1 € $1.40 ``` -Example use for market prices: tracking the value of stocks. -