minus numbers denoted by parentheses are not recognised

["george g." <clara33 alltel net>]

Using Gnumeric1.1.19.          When downloading stock transactions,  the 
negitive numbers are shown in parentheses.  The program does not 
recognise these numbers as having any value. The program will not let me 
reformat  them as a group to numbers with minus signs instead of 
parentheses. It will let me edit individual cells by deleting the 
parentheses and adding a minus sign, after which the program recognises 
the numbers.    The cursor  seems to always be in the form of a plus 
sign. This program appears to have everything but I will not be  able to 
use it if I can't solve this problem.   I would like to use this program 
and will greatly appreceat any help I can get.       Thanks  alot       
  George Green