TC, I have read several explanations such as this:

TC, I have read several explanations such as this:

"Thus, it is important to remember that the day you can sell your shares without being obligated to deliver the additional shares is not the first business day after the record date, but usually is the first business day after the stock dividend is paid."

https://www.investor.gov/additional-resources...stock-cash

And...

"In the case of a special dividend of 25% or more, however, special rules that are quite different apply. If you sell stock after the record date but before the ex-dividend date, your shares will be sold with a book entry sometimes called a "due bill," which denotes that (though the company will pay the dividend to your account, if you are the shareholder of record on the date two business days prior to the record date), your account must, in turn, turn the amount of that dividend over to the buyer of your stock. Conversely, if you buy stock after the record date but before the ex-dividend date of a large special dividend, you are entitled to the dividend and will receive it via the due bill process."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_dividend

I read several more, and they all seemed to say if you sell before the Ex date, you lose the div.

Anyone trust their broker enough to ask them? Mine are discount brokers who don't know their ass from a hole in the ground on matters like this...