For more historical dividend information, download Dividend Summary (PDF, 67 KB).
Declared (declaration date)
This is the date on which the board of directors announces to shareholders and the market as a whole that the company will pay a dividend.
Ex-Div Date (ex-dividend date)
On (or after) this date the security trades without its dividend. If you buy a dividend paying stock one day before the ex-dividend you will still get the dividend, but if you buy on the ex-dividend date, you won't get the dividend. Conversely, if you want to sell a stock and still receive a dividend that has been declared you need to sell on (or after) the ex-dividend day. The ex-date is the first business day before the date of record.
Record (date of record)
This is the date on which the company looks at its records to see who the shareholders of the company are. An investor must be listed as a holder of record to ensure the right of a dividend payout.
Payable (date of payment)
This is the date the company distributes out the dividend to the holder of record. This date is generally a week or more after the date of record so that the company has sufficient time to ensure that it accurately pays all those who are entitled.