I sold 200 shares of a stock at a profit. Then I bought 200 more at a low price of $11. A few days later I tried to sell at a high price of $13. Except after I put the limit order in, the 200 shares I bought at $11 suddenly split into groups of a few dozen at over $12, with the title of "wash sale", severely lowering my profits. Why is this a wash sale? I never sold anything at a loss.