SPY went ex-dividend Friday March 16th, 2012. The dividend was $0.6139 per share with a distribution date of April 30th. Yes, SPDR takes their time distributing the $480 million in dividend money for this quarter. The table below summarizes first quarter dividend information for SPY, IVV, and VOO—the three biggest S&P 500 index ETFs.
| SYMBOL | Next Ex-dividend | Next Pay date | Previous Dividend | Dividend |
| SPY | 15-Jun-2012 | 30-Apr-2012 | $0.7701 | $0.6139 |
| IVV | 26-Mar-2012 | 30-Mar-2012 | $0.7701 | $0.6323 |
| VOO | 26-Mar-2012 | 30-Mar-2012 | $0.3430 | $0.2850 |
You only have to buy a stock or ETF the day prior to its ex-dividend date to be eligible for the dividend. You can sell on the ex-dividend date if you want and still collect the dividend when the distribution / pay date arrives. Be aware that in a flat market the stock or ETF at opening on its ex-dividend date will typically drop in value by the dividend amount. See Top 10 questions if you have more questions on dividends.
For more information about ex-dividend and distribution dates for SPDR, iShares, Schwab, and Vanguard ETFs see this post.
See the chart below for SPY’s dividend history since 2004. Click on graph to enlarge.
SPY Dividend History
Interested in SPY dividend capture?
- Overview of dividend capture strategies
- Dividend capture–are you ready?
- Dividend capture–one approach that works
- Three strategies for SPY dividend capture that don’t work
- Dividend capture–three approaches to skip
Looking for ex-dividend information for other ETFs? Check this page.
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