Is a dividend paid out if one sells the stock before the pay date?

You must hold the stock on the ex-dividend date... Ex-dividend date is also known as the "pay date" you're referring to. It is called the "ex-dividend" day because everything "except" the dividend is traded on that day.

So, anyway, to answer your question, NO, you must hold the stock the DAY OF payment... He is a link since there are mixed answers here...

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ex-dividend.as...

In the particular case you're mentioning, yes, you would receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is the date you must own the shares on in order to receive the dividend. If you sell it after the ex-dividend date the person or entity purchasing the stock would not receive the dividend.

Yes An individual must be the owner of the stock on ex- dividend date. If you sell it the following day the purchaser would be entitled to the dividend.

Yes, realistically you only need to be a shareholder for one day. If you buy the day before the ex-dividend and then sell on the ex-dividend, you will still receive the dividend.

Look in to the dividend capture strategy.

definite, definite WWE dividend is paid in funds deposited on your brokerage account. This quarter's dividend is 0.36/share. you ought to observe that earnings over the final 3 hundred and sixty 5 days are basically 0.seventy 3/share and dividends indicated are a million.40 4/share, it is not sturdy.

No, must own the stock at the time the Dividend is announced and retained until the check is sent to you.