I have read a lot on this thread, about shareholders of record on a specific date. So let me try and clarify a few things.
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1. Probably no-body here is a shareholder of record with the COMPANY, its self, or very few. To be a shareholder of record, you have to have the ACTUAL STOCK CERTIFICATES, in your possession. How many here do? I seriously doubt if any actually have the Stock certificates in there possession, or at the best very few.
2. A beneficial shareholder is a shareholder who enjoys the benefits of ownership even though the title is kept in the name of a broker/dealer, bank nominee or custodian fund. When shares are kept in this manner, it is often referred to as keeping the shares in "Street Name.”
Beneficial Shareholders. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other holder of record, you are not a registered shareholder.
3. So the Record date Is for the Registered Shareholders. IE, BROKERS, BANKS, and CUSTODIAN FUNDS. Example> Scottrade is a broker and represents many clients. Scottrade might have 200 benifical shareholders, invested in this stock. Which in this case SCOTTRADE would be the Registered Stock Owner. Which equals 1 Registered Owner.
4. Anybody buying this stock before the "announced" X date will get the dividend what ever you want to call it.
5. I have personally bought 100s of stocks the day before the X date and received the dividend every SINGLE TIME! Why would this one be any different? The must own date, to receive Dividends, is at least one Day before the X date.
6. Now since i've sit here and typed this, i hope this don't totally confuse People.
7. Good Luck to ALL!
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