Prudhoe Bay Royalty (BPT)

[eastunder]

Seems confusing at first, doesn't it? LOL

But it's not really.

This talks about the four dates and the importance of one.

http://www.dividend.com/dividend-education/everything-investors-need-to-know-about-ex-dividend-dates/

2. Ex-dividend Date
As of the ex-dividend date, buyers of this stock will no longer be entitled to receive the declared dividend and the stock is said to thereafter trade “ex-dividend” (without dividend). Before trading opens on the ex-dividend date, the exchange marks down the share price by the amount of the declared dividend.

As an example, ABC Inc declares a $1 dividend with an ex-dividend date of January 10th. Anybody who buys the shares on the 7th, 8th, or 9th—or any date prior to the 10th—will get that dividend. When the stock opens on the 10th, it will be adjusted down by $1 from the 9th’s closing price. Anybody who buys on the 10th or thereafter will not get the dividend.

Another important note to consider: as long as you purchase a stock prior to the ex-dividend date, you can then sell the stock any time on or after the ex-dividend date and still receive the dividend. A common misconception is that investors need to hold the stock through the record date or pay date.

Ex-dividend dates are the single most important date to consider whenever buying a dividend-paying stock.