dividend ex date. The ex-dividend date is a specific date,...

dividend ex date. The ex-dividend date is a specific date, occurring after the dividend has been announced, after which buyers are no longer entitled to receive the last declared dividend. This is known as going 'ex-dividend' and before this date the shares are said to be 'cum-dividend'. If you buy shares before the ex-dividend date, you are entitled to the recently announced dividend. If you purchase shares on or after that date, the previous owner of the shares (and not you) is entitled to the dividend. Cum div is just the term used to tell the market that a div is coming..............