Date	What it means
Declaration date	Company announces dividend
Ex-dividend date	Last day to buy and still get paid
Record date	Company checks shareholder list
Payment date	Cash hits your account

Most investors know the yield.

Very few track the ex-date — and that’s where opportunity lives.

The 3 Dividend Filters That Actually Matter

High yields mean nothing without timing, safety, and consistency.

These three filters separate real income stocks from traps.

1) Ex-Dividend Date (Timing)

This shows who is paying next.

Use this to:

Find stocks paying in the next 7, 14, or 30 days

Plan your monthly cash flow

Rotate capital efficiently

Timing > yield.

2) Dividend Yield vs Dividend Rate (Trap Detection)

Yield is backward-looking and price-dependent.

Dividend rate is what the company actually pays annually.

If yield is high but the dividend rate is flat or falling → danger.

This is how dividend traps hide.

3) Dividend Payout Ratio (Safety)

This shows how much of earnings go to dividends.

Payout Ratio	Risk Level
< 70%	Healthy
70–100%	Caution
> 100%	Unsustainable

A stock paying more than it earns must cut eventually.

Step-by-Step: Find Your Next Dividend in Under 60 Seconds

Here’s how to use the Upcoming Dividends Screener to build instant income visibility:

Open the screener

Set Ex-Dividend Date → Next 30 Days

Set Dividend Yield → Greater than 3%

Set Payout Ratio → Less than 70%

Sort by Payment Date

Now you’re looking at real dividend candidates, not hype.

This becomes your live dividend calendar.

How to Build a Monthly Dividend Paycheck

Most stocks pay quarterly.

But with the right mix, you can get paid every month.

Here’s how:

Hold companies with different ex-dividend months

Combine monthly payers + quarterly payers

Reinvest into the next upcoming ex-date

Instead of waiting, you rotate into the next cash event.

This is how dividend income becomes predictable.

Dividend Capture Strategy (Advanced Users)

Some investors use timing alone to generate income.

The method:

Buy before the ex-dividend date

Hold through the record date

Collect dividend

Sell after payment

This works only with:

Liquid stocks

Stable prices

Low spreads

⚠️ Risk: stock price may drop more than the dividend.

Your screener makes this strategy possible. Discipline makes it profitable.

Avoid Dividend Traps Before They Wipe You Out

Watch for:

Yields above 10%

Payout ratios above 100%

Falling dividend rates

Declining earnings

These stocks look attractive… until they cut.

Your filters protect you.

Why Static Dividend Lists Fail

Blog Lists	Investorean Screener
Outdated	Live market data
No timing	Ex-dividend filters
No safety	Payout ratio
No brokers	Direct trading links

One is content.

The other is a tool.

FAQ

How often do dividends pay?

Monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

What if I buy on the ex-dividend date?

You do not receive the dividend.

Can I live off dividends?

Yes. With diversification, sustainability, and timing.

How do I track all my payments?

Use a live screener + your portfolio dashboard.

Final Word

High yield is noise. Timing is income.

Stop guessing. Start collecting.

👉 Use the Upcoming Dividends Screener from Investorean to see your next payment today.

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Advance Auto Parts - Company History, Financial Performance, and Investment Outlook Discounted P/E Ratio Stock Screener - Finding Value Without Guesswork

Yuri Drabik

Founder at Investorean

Upcoming Dividends Screener: How to Find Your Next Dividend Payment (Step-by-Step)

What Is an Ex-Dividend Date? (And Why It Controls Your Cash Flow)