Readers hoping to buy The Character Group plc ( LON:CCT ) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. The ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date, which is the cut-off date for shareholders to be present on the company's books to be eligible for a dividend payment. The ex-dividend date is of consequence because whenever a stock is bought or sold, the trade takes at least two business day to settle. Thus, you can purchase Character Group's shares before the 12th of January in order to receive the dividend, which the company will pay on the 27th of January.