Kathy Snow wishes to purchase shares of Countdown Computing, Inc. The company's board of directors has declared a cash dividend of $$0\mathrm{.}52$ to be paid to holders of record on Wednesday Sep. $21.$

$1.$ What is the last day that Kathy can purchase the stock $($trade date$)$ and still receive the dividend? $($Select the best answer below.$)$

A$.$ Friday, Sep. $16$

B$.$ Sunday, Sep. $18$

C$.$ Wednesday, Sep. $21$

D$.$ Monday, Sep. $19$

$2.$ What day does this stock begin trading ex dividend? $($Select the best answer below.$)$

A$.$ Friday, Sep. $16$

B$.$ Tuesday, Sep. $20$

C$.$ Sunday, Sep. $18$

D$.$ Wednesday, Sep. $21$

$3.$ What change, if any, would you expect in the price per share when the stock begins trading on the ex$-$dividend day? $($Select the best answer below.$)$

A$.$ Stock price will rise by the amount of the dividend $($ $$0\mathrm{.}52.$

B$.$ Stock price will not change.

C$.$ Stock price will drop by the amount of the dividend $($$$0\mathrm{.}52).$

$4.$ Kathy believes that she will be able to sell the stock for $$48\mathrm{.}28$ in a few months. Tomorrow is the ex$-$dividend date, and the stock price now is $$44\mathrm{.}28.$ Is she better off buying the stock now so she can capture the dividend, or should she wait until tomorrow, miss the dividend, and buy the stock at a slightly lower price?

$($Select the best answer below.$)$

$$ A$.$ She would be slightly better off buying the stock at $$44\mathrm{.}28$ and taking the dividend.

$$ B$.$ She would be better off buying the stock at $$43\mathrm{.}76$ and not taking the dividend.