Distributions to Shareholders: Dividend Payment Procedures Companies normally pay dividends quarterly and they go through a specific process. Firms first declare the quarterly dividend. The declaration date is the date on which a firm's directors issue a statement declaring a dividend. The company closes its stock transfer books at the close of business on the holder-of-record date. If the company lists the stockholder as an owner on this date, then the stockholder receives the dividend. The ex-dividend date is the date on which the right to the current dividend no longer accompanies a stock; it is usually two business days prior to the holder-of-record date. Finally, the payment date is the date on which a firm actually mails dividend checks. Give the correct response to the following question. Seller sells Indigo Company stock to Buyer on the ex-dividend date. Which of the following statements is correct? a. Neither Seller nor Buyer will receive the dividend. The dividend rolls over to a special account for the next quarter's dividend. b. Buyer is now the owner of the stock, so Buyer receives the dividend. c. Because the stock was sold on the ex-dividend date, a special rule applies where the dividend is divided between Buyer and Seller d. Because the stock was sold on the ex-dividend date, Seller would still be considered the owner of the stock and would receive the dividend