thanks for the explanation - do you know if that applies to both cash and margin accounts, and I also wonder if every broker handles this the same? I know when tickers change, some brokers show it the next day and some have to wait 2-3 days.
I agree with you the best advice is to buy before 2/3/12 and hold through the 7th to get the divy, but folks may want to contact their broker for more details.