Ex dividend dates

The simple answer is you can get a list from the Stock Exchange.

The Stock Exchange publishes information which is sent yearly to each quoted company. The company chooses the date on which it wishes to pay its dividend and from the published information it can work out a range of record dates and from the chosen record date its ex-div. date.

If I have mis-understood your question and you want to know the ex-div. dates for each company you will find that the Financial Times puts "xd" next to the company's share price on the day it goes ex-div.(usually until the day the dividend is paid). It is then clear to buyers that a share purchase after that date will not include the right to receive the next dividend to be paid.

I hope I have given you the answer you require.

Thanks Brian

I need to know in advance, I intend to short some shares & don't want to be caught out by having to pay dividends.

Sorry to be so long in following up - I'm using Google which, although good in many ways, is a bit slow in receiving.

From my previous e-mail you will understand that until the company decides the dividend payment date there is no ex-div. date. So it is only usually decided a couple of months before payment. Once the payment date has been arranged there are several ways you can get to know the ex-div. date. Many company's pay their dividends around the same time every half year or quarter. This can give you a clue but DON'T rely on it.

1. Ask the company itself. MOST FTSE 100 companies will have some staff who know what you are talking about but some won't. Its always best to ask for the Company Secretary. He (or she) will have worked it all out. For non FTSE 100 companies always ask for the Company Secretary. It is part of the Comp. Secretary's job to help shareholders or prospective shareholders. Or
2. Ask the company's stockbroker or your own. Its all part of their day to day business. Again, if the person you speak to does not immediately understand the question - move on. Or
3. Obviously the Financial Times and the Stock Exchange will know the ex-div. date but it might be difficult finding the right person to talk to (telephone bill).

Why don't you simply use the official source for such information; the Regulatory News Service (RNS) ?

Read this:

(you'll have to paste the link together if it breaks onto 2 lines)

This is very helpful

I will try them out.