The day that fixes who receives the dividend
The record date is the day the shareholder register decides who gets the dividend. Because settlement takes a few days, you must actually buy that many business days earlier. The day after that cut-off is the ex-dividend date, when the price tends to drop by roughly the dividend.
On a stock paying $30, the price typically opens about $30 lower on the ex-dividend date. Buy after the cut-off and you miss that payment.
Japan — In Japan settlement takes two business days, so the last day to buy is two business days before the record date. Shareholder perks are fixed on the same date.
South Korea — In Korea settlement takes two business days, so a purchase must be executed two business days before the record date to receive the dividend (as of 2026). Record dates differ by company, so check the filing.
For learning, not investment advice. Decisions are your own.
StockFit · TrueNorthLabs Inc.