5 Stocks Going Ex-Dividend Today

Concerns over global economic growth and the Federal Reserve’s recent decision not to issue a second interest rate hike have many investors once again seeking out high-yielding dividend plays. If you’re planning on holding a stock for the long-term, the payment dates for the dividends are not particularly important. But if you are a shorter-term trader, knowing the ex-dividend dates for all of your stocks is critical.

If you buy a stock on or after its ex-dividend date, you will not receive the next dividend payment the company pays out. That means that you will essentially need to hold the stock for a full dividend cycle to recieve your first payout.

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On the other hand, if you own a dividend-paying stock and are looking for a selling opportunity, the ex-dividend date is the first day you can sell the stock and still receive the upcoming dividend.

Here’s a look at five stocks that may seem like promising yielders on the surface, but their March 22 ex-dividend date means that yield-seekers will have a long time to wait for their first dividend:

Axiall Corp AXLL (2.9 percent yield)

Tahoe Resources Inc TAHO (2.1 percent yield)

CyrusOne Inc CONE (3.6 percent yield)

Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. PNY (2.2 percent yield)

Staples, Inc. SPLS (4.7 percent yield)

Disclosure: the author holds no position in the stocks mentioned.