Kathy Snow wishes to purchase shares of Countdown Computing, Inc. The company$$s board of directors has declared a cash dividend of $$0\mathrm{.}80$ to be paid to holders of record on Wednesday, May $12.$

a$.$What is the last day that Kathy can purchase the stock $($trade date$)$ and still receive the dividend?

b$.$What day does this stock begin trading ex dividend?

c$.$What change, if any, would you expect in the price per share when the stock begins trading on the ex dividend day?

d$.$If Kathy held the stock for less than one quarter and then sold it for $$39$ per share, would she achieve a higher investment return by $(1)$ buying the stock prior to the ex dividend date at $$35$ per share and collecting the $$0\mathrm{.}80$ dividend or $(2)$ buying it on the ex dividend date at $$34\mathrm{.}20$ per share but not receiving the dividend?