Receiving Dividend

[Myrtle's Money]

Can anyone answer this question?

If I buy a stock through ShareBuilder.com, which reinvest dividends automatically, but end up selling the stock before the dividend pay date, will the dividend show up as cash in my account or as reinvested in the particular stock even though I already sold my shares?

[Petunia 100]

There are 3 important dates. The declaration date, the ex- date, and the record date. If you own the stock on the declaration date but sell before the ex-date, you will not receive the dividend. If you sell after the ex- date but before the record date, you will receive the dividend.