Ex-dividend date: How long do I have to hold a stock in order to get the next dividend?

The ex-dividend date for stocks is usually set one business day before the record date. If you purchase a stock on its ex-dividend date or after, you will not receive the next dividend payment.

How long do you have to own a stock before the ex-dividend date?

Briefly, in order to be eligible for payment of stock dividends, you must buy the stock (or already own it) at least two days before the date of record and still own the shares at the close of trading one business day before the ex-date.

How long do you have to hold after ex-dividend date?

In order to receive the preferred 15% tax rate on dividends, you must hold the stock for a minimum number of days. That minimum period is 61 days within the 121-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date.

Do you have to hold through ex-dividend date?

To receive a dividend, investors must hold the stock at the opening of the market on the ex-dividend date. That means they can sell their shares on the ex-dividend date and still receive the dividend. However, investors who buy shares on the ex-dividend date will not receive the payment.

How long do I have to hold a stock to collect the dividend?

To collect a stock’s dividend you must own the stock at least two days before the record date and hold the shares until the ex-date.

When can I sell stock and still get dividend?

If shares are sold on or after the ex-dividend date, they will still receive the dividend. When you purchase shares, your name does not automatically get added to the record book—this takes about three days from the transaction date.

What happens if you buy a stock after the split record date?

The record date is when existing shareholders need to own the stock in order to be eligible to receive new shares created by a stock split. However, if you buy or sell shares between the record date and the effective date, the right to the new shares transfers.

Do you have to hold a stock for 60 days to get a dividend?

You must have held those shares of stock unhedged for at least 61 days out of the 121-day period that began 60 days before the ex-dividend date. For certain preferred stock, the security must be held for 91 days out of the 181-day period beginning 90 days before the ex-dividend date.