1 Answer

Dividends are yields payable to the share owner of record usually about once each quarter.  Established companies like IBM, Coca Cola, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Caterpillar typically pay dividends to their investors while growth companies like Apple Computer and Oracle Systems typically reinvest their earnings into their research and product development, hence, dividends are omitted.

Typically when a stock goes Ex-dividend, it means that you must be on record that day as the owner of the stock. Therefore, GE goes ex-dividend on the first of August, for example, the actual payment will be 3-4 weeks from the ex-D date.

Two dates you need to know: Ex D date or date that shows you're the owner of record; and

the actual payment date: usually a few weeks from the first date.