Dividend rollover plans are processes that involve the buying and selling securities that are shortly going to pay a dividend. An investment strategy in which a dividend-paying stock is purchased right before the ex-dividend date, which gives the purchaser the right to the divided, with the position being sold off shortly after the ex-dividend date. The sole intention of this practice is to reap the value of the dividends while breaking even on the shares. Ideally, this strategy is designed to maximize short-term return on shares while minimizing risk.
Also known as a “dividend capture strategy”.
In order to maximize the return on stock issues that will shortly issue dividends, the investor wants to be sure to complete the purchase of the related shares before the ex-dividend date arrives. Ownership of the shares as of the ex-dividend date qualifies the investor for the dividend payments that will begin issuing on the record date.
Proponents of dividend rollover planning argue that immediate returns on investments are made while reducing risk. However, opponents of the strategy believe that the expected dividend value is already incorporated into the stock before the ex-dividend date because the market anticipates the dividend payout.