Dividend date vs ex-dividend date?

what is the difference between these two, usually they have dividend date followed by a later date called the ex-dividend date, what do these terms both mean??





So if I want to buy a stock before they pay me dividends, what date do I have to buy it before? Is the ex-dividend date meaning the last day to buy stock before i get dividends for current cycle? So as long as i buy it before the ex-dividend date I will get the dividend ??

Dividend date vs ex-dividend date?
The ex-dividend date is the day that the stock starts trading without the dividend. If you already own the stock on the ex-dividend date, you will get the dividend. If you buy it on or after the ex-dividend date, the previous owner gets the dividend.





The dividend date is the day that it is actually paid.
Reply:For the most accurate ex-dividend date data you can use DividendInvestor.com. They have the US, UK and Canadian stock exhanges with all the ex-dividend date data for free.


http://www.dividendinvestor.co... Report It

Reply:Neither of the above answers are correct...


Go to wikipedia on the web to get an accurate answer ( I don't feel like doing it for you).
Reply:Dividend date is the declared date. You have to own the stock on that date. The ex-date is the date the dividend is paid.
Reply:Dividend date is when it's paid. Ex-dividend date is when you have to own the stock by to get that dividend.