Many years ago, unscrupulous brokers engaged in a sleazy sales tactic where they bought stock for their clients just before the dividend was paid and sold right after. These brokers would tell their clients to purchase shares in a particular investment that would supposedly offer profits from an upcoming dividend.

In theory, this may seem like a sound investment strategy , but it is nothing more than an illegal marketing scheme. In actuality, however, the company's stock price would decrease on the ex-dividend date by about the same amount of the dividend to eliminate this form of arbitrage. Thus, buying a stock before a dividend is paid and selling after it is received has absolutely no value except a partial return of the capital invested in the stock in the first place.

To make things worse, dividends create a tax liability , meaning you'll have to claim the dividends as taxable income on the following year's income tax return. Waiting to purchase the stock until after the dividend payment may be a better strategy because it allows you to purchase the stock at a lower price without incurring dividend taxes.

To read more on dividend dates, see our article Declaration, Ex-dividend, and Record Date Defined. Dictionary Term Of The Day. A measure of what it costs an investment company to operate a mutual fund.

If I sell my shares before the ex-dividend date will I still get the dividend?

Latest Videos PeerStreet Offers New Way to Bet on Housing New to Buying Bitcoin? This Mistake Could Cost You Guides Stock Basics Economics Basics Options Basics Exam Prep Series 7 Exam CFA Level 1 Series 65 Exam. Sophisticated content for financial advisors around investment strategies, industry trends, and advisor education. Why don't investors buy stock just before the dividend date and sell right afterwards?

By Investopedia Staff Updated May 31, — 1: If you sell before the ex-dividend date you will not receive a dividend from the company. The ex-dividend date is the date Find out why ex-dividend payments are sent to the seller of a stock rather than the purchaser and how ex-dividends can create Understanding the dates of the dividend payout process can be tricky.

We clear up the confusion. Find out how dividends affect the price of the underlying stock, the role of market psychology and how to predict price changes after dividend declaration. Learn about the basics of mutual fund dividend taxation, including how and why mutual funds pay dividends and when different tax rates apply to dividend income.

Understanding dividends and how they work will help you become a more informed and successful investor.

What You Need to Know About Share Dividend Dates | Morningstar

Not too sure what an ex-dividend date is? Find out here and learn how and when you can take advantage of a stock's dividend. A classification of trading shares when a declared dividend belongs An investment strategy in which a dividend-paying stock is purchased An expense ratio is determined through an annual A hybrid of debt and equity financing that is typically used to finance the expansion of existing companies.

A period of time in which all factors of production and costs are variable.

Why don't investors buy stock just before the dividend date and sell right afterwards?

In the long run, firms are able to adjust all A legal agreement created by the courts between two parties who did not have a previous obligation to each other. A macroeconomic theory to explain the cause-and-effect relationship between rising wages and rising prices, or inflation.

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