I'm a newcomer to shares, so please forgive my ignorance.

If a company has it's final results on say 30/5/2003.
The research on that company says the EX-Dividend date is 5/6/2003.

Does that mean if I buy shares in that company after 30/5/2003 but before 5/6/2003, then I will receive a dividend payment?

What happens if I sell the shares after the Ex-dividend date but before the divident payment is due, do I still get the dividend payment? Or do I still need to hold the shares until after the dividend payment?

draytop,

The dividend is paid to the holder of the share on the ex dividend date, and only that date.

Once a share has gone "ex dividend" you may sell it, and you will still receive the dividend.

Most shares fall as soon as they go "ex dividend", as obviously the value of the company falls slightly when the dividend is paid out.

Hope this helps,

Andy.