Ex-Dividend Date
Plain-English definition
The date a share begins trading without entitlement to a particular dividend. For an ordinary cash dividend, buying on or after that date generally means missing that payment.
Why it matters
The ex-date, record date, and payment date serve different purposes.
Example
If an ordinary cash dividend has a Wednesday ex-date, a purchase on Wednesday normally does not receive it.
How income investors use it
Use the announced exchange or issuer dates. Special distributions can follow different rules; do not infer eligibility from the payment date alone.
This material is general education, not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice.