ex dividend date, page-27

this is the way most websites are describing the process

"If you wish to purchase the shares just to receive the dividends and then sell them again – you must buy the shares before the ex-dividend date and sell them after the record date to be entitled to the dividends. In our example, this means buying the shares on or before Thursday 17th and selling them after Thursday 24th."

I think this what everyone wants to know ...

My observations are that .... most shares rise by the approximate % expected in the div prior to the ex-div date (although in this psychotic mkt anything is possible).
last time I sold my ANZ shares prior to the ex-date and took the capital gain ... this time re tax dividend/income is more value to me so I'll hang around for the div ... that's usually the way these situations pan out
... and get splattered by the usual Friday selldown day syndrome ... and cop a capital loss no doubt