What is an ex-dividend date?
The ex-dividend date is the cutoff for receiving the next dividend. Buy at least one business day before the ex-date to receive the payment; on or after the ex-date, the dividend goes to the seller.
Why ex-dividend dates matter
For Dividend Kings, Aristocrats, and Contenders, tracking ex-dates helps you stagger a monthly income stream. Most US dividend stocks pay quarterly.
- Payment date: when cash is deposited (often 2–4 weeks after the ex-date).
- Record date: shareholder-of-record check, usually one business day after the ex-date.
- Declaration date: when the board announces amount and schedule.