Stock dividend question (newbie)

[zawoo86]

Hello,

Just want to ask a very newbie question.

If I buy stocks, is there a period of time I have to hold it for me to be entitled the dividend payout?

For example, a company announce it's paying out its dividend on 18th Apr. If I purchase 1000shares of its stock on 8th of Apr, will I be entitled the dividend payout on 18th Apr?

 

[Dividends Warrior]

After buying the stock, you must hold until XD in order to receive the dividend.

 

[Xaviervax]

After buying the stock, you must hold until XD in order to receive the dividend.

Hi Dividends Warrior do you have few mins to spare? your inbox full unable to message you

 

[Shiny Things]

You have to hold the stock on the XD ("ex-dividend") date to receive the dividend. On that date, the company takes a snapshot of all the holders of the stock, and a few days (or weeks) later, those holders on that date receive their dividend cheque.

If the company's paying its div on April 18th, the ex-div date might be a few days before, or a week before, or a couple of weeks - so without knowing the ex-div date, I can't answer the question.