Special Dividends

[Bluerobin]

It is that time of year for house cleaning. With all the companies declaring special dividends, etc. I am hesitant to get rid of anything, until I know if an extra dividend is coming.
Does anyone know of a site that lists which companies have declared special dividends this month?

[Value Buy]

Dec 3, 2012 9:54:30 GMT -5 Bluerobin said:

It is that time of year for house cleaning. With all the companies declaring special dividends, etc. I am hesitant to get rid of anything, until I know if an extra dividend is coming.
Does anyone know of a site that lists which companies have declared special dividends this month?

I have not seen one, but assume there is one somewhere. I am surprised at the number of companies doing it, and why some are even bothering when the number they announce, is so small, although many are impressive.
Business must be sending a message to D.C.
Whether they hear it is another thing.

[Driftr]

Haven't seen a list. Heard on Bloomberg this morning that there are 3 dozen that are doing it. Saw a couple names I knew on screen, but don't own either and can't remember the names. Apple not one of them. Oracle paying 3 quarter's dividends at once (not sure when it goes/went Ex-Div).

[Bluerobin]

I keep hearing names I don't own too. One thing for sure, they are only paying dividends now to protect their executives, who stand to lose the most when rates go up. I wish the Pubs would pull their heads outta their butts and reach across the aisle. Washington never hears anything, otherwise they would react to their 18% approval rating.

[The Virginian]

I am surprised at the number of companies doing it, and why some are even bothering when the number they announce, is so small, although many are impressive.

Most of them are doing it for the benefits of the Directors ! An example is the CEO of Costco that supported obama and this tax increase yet by taking this special dividend he stands to save $ 4 Million Dollars ! What a hypocrite !

[safeharbor37]

Premature selling could cost you the benefits of a year end rally as well as some possible special dividends. However, given the way dividends are awarded, anything sold at the end of the year would normally still pay you the dividends.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

[The Virginian]

As long as you hold them by their x-Dividend date you are good to go.

[Value Buy]

They have to be setting a special x-dividend date for these "special dividends", but how can they legally declare these dates as fast as they are doing it, for legal purposes.
The companies announcing dividends this week have to be pushing the legal limit, time wise.....

[safeharbor37]

"Ordinary" cash dividends do not require adjustment to option strike prices, even if such payments are "accelerated." "Special" dividends, on the other hand, typically require adjustment.
Dividend payments have no immediate positive benefit to a trader, and the risks associated with strategies intended to capture dividends may far outweigh potential profit opportunities.

Cautionary information from Schwab.

[Driftr]

Just found out about the first one of these I think I qualify for.

KRFT .50/share special dividend. I don't think KRFT has a 'normal' one yet since the spin-off.

[The Virginian]

No, you are correct. Kraft hasn't made a dividend payment since the split. I was wondering if they would make one.