In order to receive a dividend, you must own the ASX share before its ex-dividend date.

Here at The Fool, our analysts do not recommend buying ASX shares simply just to get the next dividend payment.

Our market experts say the decision to buy should be more thoughtful than that, and based on fundamental analysis.

But if you already intend to buy any of these ASX shares, you might like to consider the best timing for you.

For example, you could buy before the ex-dividend date and receive entitlement to the next dividend payment.

Or you might prefer to wait until the ex-dividend date itself, when the share price usually falls, to snap up your stock.

Here are some ex-dividend dates next week

The post 20 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Centuria Office REIT (ASX: COF) shares are down 0.47% to $1.055, while Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE) is weaker by 3.22% to $2.855.

Here is what investors are reacting to.

Centuria Office REIT delivers mixed half-year results

Centuria Office REIT reported its results for the six months to 31 December 2025, showing a business that remains stable but still faces pressure from higher costs.

The trust delivered funds from operations of $33.4 million, or 5.6 cents per unit. That was slightly lower than the same period last year, largely due to higher interest expenses. Distributions for the half were maintained at 5.05 cents per unit, in line with expectations.

There were some positives in the result. Leasing activity remained solid, with more than 29,000 square metres of space leased across the portfolio during the half. Centuria also reported a $42.8 million uplift in portfolio valuations, with most assets holding their value or improving.

Management also sold an office asset in Chatswood at a premium, helping recycle capital and strengthen the balance sheet.

However, with earnings slightly lower and interest costs still elevated, the result failed to lift sentiment. Centuria reaffirmed its full-year guidance, pointing to funds from operations of between 11.1 and 11.5 cents per unit and full-year distributions of 10.1 cents.

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT fails to excite

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT also released its half-year results today, highlighting the defensive nature of its portfolio.

The trust focuses on social infrastructure assets such as schools, childcare centres, and government-leased properties. These assets typically have long leases and reliable tenants, which supports income stability.

During the half, CQE continued to reshape its portfolio, selling some lower-yielding early learning assets and reinvesting into longer-dated social infrastructure properties. The trust also extended its average debt maturity and reported a stronger balance sheet position.

Management upgraded its full-year guidance, now expecting operating earnings of at least 17.2 cents per unit and distributions of 17 cents per unit for FY26.

Despite the upgrade, investors appear underwhelmed. Much of the good news may have already been priced into the share price, and investors remain wary of the broader REIT sector.

Foolish Takeaway

Both REITs delivered steady results, but neither provided a clear catalyst for higher share prices.

With interest rates still elevated, investors remain focused on balance sheet strength, reliable income, and long-term growth.

The post Why these 2 ASX REITs are in the red after today's results appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Among the payers this week were BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), which paid a fully franked dividend of 91.9 cents per share yesterday.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) also paid out a fully franked final dividend of 9.5 cents per share yesterday.

Some companies that reported their financial results late in the August earnings season are yet to go ex-dividend.

That means you still have time to strategise how to make their ex-div dates work for you.

Make the ex-dividend date work for you!

Ex-dividend dates provide two opportunities for investors.

After a company announces its next dividend, investors have a small window of opportunity to buy the ASX share with the payment attached.

If you do this, you can generate a quick return via short-term income.

Alternatively, you might like to wait until the ex-dividend date to buy, because the price will likely fall, creating a buy-the-dip opportunity.

Share prices typically fall on ex-dividend dates because the stocks are fundamentally less valuable without the next dividend attached.

As usual, there have been many examples of ASX shares falling on their ex-dividend dates this year.

On Monday, New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) shares fell 7.35% after the coal mining stock went ex-dividend.

Next week, a slew of real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other ASX shares will go ex-dividend.

19 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

Here is a sample of the ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week.

The post 19 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

That's why many investors turn to dividends: cash paid directly into their accounts, often accompanied by valuable franking credits. 

The key is finding businesses with stable earnings, sustainable payout ratios, and room to grow distributions over time. Here are three ASX dividend shares that tick those boxes.

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE)

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT owns and manages a portfolio of social infrastructure assets, with a particular focus on childcare centres, healthcare, and education facilities. These long-leased properties deliver stable rental income, with a weighted average lease expiry close to 12 years and occupancy at 100%.

That consistency flows directly into distributions. In FY25, CQE met guidance of 15.2 cents per unit in distributions, equating to a yield of around 4.83% at today's prices. With potential Reserve Bank rate cuts expected to lower debt costs and support property valuations, REITs like CQE could be positioned to maintain and potentially grow their payouts.

For income investors, the attraction lies in CQE's long-term leases, predictable cash flows, and exposure to critical services like childcare and healthcare.

Fiducian Group Ltd (ASX: FID)

Fiducian is a founder-led financial services group with operations spanning financial advice, platform administration, and funds management. Executive Chairman Indy Singh still owns more than one-third of the company, ensuring strong alignment with shareholders.

The company has a long-term track record of consistent growth. In FY25, Fiducian delivered 15% revenue growth and 26% profit growth, translating to a 27% lift in earnings per share. Importantly for dividend investors, the company has grown its dividend by 18% in the past year, with a current trailing yield of 4.7% (fully franked).

A solid balance sheet, free from bank debt, adds to its appeal. Fiducian has managed to steadily grow both profits and dividends while maintaining conservative management, making it a compelling income stock with room for further growth.

NIB Holdings Ltd (ASX: NHF)

NIB is one of Australia's largest private health insurers, covering more than a million people across Australia and New Zealand. While earnings have recently been pressured by rising claims costs, the company is actively adjusting premiums and expanding its reach into new areas like NDIS plan management and preventative health services.

In FY25, NIB declared a fully franked final dividend of 16 cents per share, taking the full-year payout to 29 cents. At current prices, that represents a yield of around 3.9%. While not the highest yield on the market, the dividend is supported by a strong balance sheet and the potential for future growth as NIB leverages its scale and health ecosystem strategy.

Foolish Takeaway

Income investors don't just want cash today, they want confidence it will still be there tomorrow, and hopefully a little more. Whether it's CQE's stable rental streams, Fiducian's founder-led discipline, or NIB's scale in health insurance, each of these companies offers a different path to dependable dividends. 

That variety is valuable. 

It shows that quality income can come from property, finance or healthcare, giving investors the opportunity to build a diversified and resilient dividend portfolio.

The post Cash in the hand: 3 ASX dividend shares to know about appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

If there are more cuts, it could boost certain businesses that are more exposed to interest rates than others. Some of these names can provide investors with pleasing dividend income thanks to their solid yields.

Let's take a look at two businesses that I think are buys.

Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)

Pinnacle is an investment business that takes a stake in (relatively) new funds management businesses. The company helps the fund manager out with a number of services including seed funds under management (FUM) and working capital, distribution and client services, middle office and fund administration, compliance, finance, legal, technology and other infrastructure. This allows the investors to focus on investing.

The ASX 200 share has built an impressive portfolio of fund managers that are focused on different asset classes and located across different countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK and the US.

Some of the fund managers are Hyperion, Plato, Solaris, Spheria, Firetrail, Metrics, Langdon, Antipodes and Coolabah Capital.

The business is benefiting from the ongoing growth of the FUM of these businesses thanks to both the investment returns and the net inflows that the group of fund managers are experiencing. In the FY25 half-year result, aggregate FUM increased 15.7% excluding FUM growth through acquisitions, or 41.1% including acquisitions, to $155.4 billion. I think further RBA rate cuts can help boost the FUM from valuation increases and encourage clients to allocate new money.

This growth helped the ASX 200 share grow its FY25 interim dividend by 112% to 15.6 cents per share.

The forecast on Commsec suggests the business could pay an annual dividend per share of 65.7 cents, which translates into a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.5%, including franking credits.

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE)

This is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that is invested across a number of sectors including childcare, life sciences and healthcare, emergency services, transport and higher education.

I find this appealing because it can provide consistent rental earnings and pay a distribution.

It has an impressive portfolio with a long weighted average lease expiry of 11.9 years and an occupancy rate of 100%. The ASX 200 share is benefiting from regular rental income growth, with market reviews helping.

Rate cuts could help the business in a number of number of ways, including a boost to rental income because of lower interest costs, as well as a being a tailwind for the property valuations.

Its FY25 distribution was guided at 15.2 cents per unit, translating into a distribution yield of 5.3%.

The post Forget term deposits! I'd buy these two ASX 200 shares instead appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

There are a number of ways to judge whether a business is trading below its fair value. Is it trading cheaper than what investors think it's worth?

Every investor may value a business differently, but there is a level where a business seems cheap and a level where it's expensive.

There are two areas of investment I want to point to.

Real estate investment trusts

We are still in the era of high interest rates, even if Australian inflation has reduced to under 3%. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cash rate is 4.1%, though it's possible the interest rate could be reduced by another 25 basis points (0.25%) this month.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) could be some of the most attractive ASX value shares. They have been some of the hardest hit because high interest rates have hurt rental profitability due to higher financing costs. The value of shares reduced because of the higher rates headwind. As Warren Buffett once explained:

The value of every business, the value of a farm, the value of an apartment house, the value of any economic asset, is 100% sensitive to interest rates because all you are doing in investing is transferring some money to somebody now in exchange for what you expect the stream of money to be, to come in over a period of time, and the higher interest rates are the less that present value is going to be. So every business by its nature…its intrinsic valuation is 100% sensitive to interest rates.

There are plenty of REITs that are trading significantly below their reported net asset value (NAV) – this includes the value of the properties, the loans and all other assets and liabilities. I think interest rate cuts could help REIT unit (share) prices move towards their NAV and close that share price discount.

Some of the REITs that are trading below their NAVs include Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF), Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP), Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW), Dexus Industria REIT (ASX: DXI) and Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE).

The business Brickworks Ltd (ASX: BKW) also has significant (property) assets and I think the ASX value share is trading significantly below its underlying asset value.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF(ASX: MOAT)

If some investors don't want to try to figure out which shares are trading at a discount to their fair value, there are some exchange-traded funds (ETFs) out there that invest with that method.

The MOAT ETF invests in US businesses that have strong competitive advantages, or economic moats, that are expected to endure for at least 20 years.

But the fund only invests in those businesses when the analysts at Morningstar believe that the business is trading at an attractive price relative to Morningstar's estimate of fair value.

I'm calling this a top ASX value share because Aussies can buy it on the ASX.

Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, but it returned an average of 15% per year between inception in June 2015 and 31 March 2025.

The post Top value ASX shares I'd buy now while they're trading below fair value appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Firstly, let's talk about what this business does. This business says it's the largest real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in social infrastructure properties. That largely refers to childcare centres, but also includes, education life sciences and health, government services and transport.

Childcare receives significant government funding, which is expected to increase to $16 billion per year in FY27, according to the business.

Let's look at the three things that are appealing about this ASX dividend stock in the current economic environment.

Strong and growing rental earnings

The business has an extremely impressive 100% occupancy rate, with a long weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of 11.9 years. This means the business is maximising its rental potential and the rental earnings are locked in for a long time.

The business benefits from organic rental growth thanks to market reviews at its properties – during HY25, it achieved a 16.4% increase on 15 childcare market reviews completed during the period.

It said that 43% of rental income is subject to market rent reviews in the next four years, which could mean further pleasing rental growth in the coming years.

Pleasing distribution

As a REIT, the business is able to pay out most of its rental profit each year, without harming its ability to pay future distributions.

The ASX dividend stock is expecting to grow its annual distribution by 1.33% in FY25 to 15.2 cents per unit. It's good to see distribution growth, despite the elevated interest rates we're still living through.

At the current Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT unit price, it offers a distribution yield of 5.4% for FYF25.

Interest rates to fall?

Nothing is certain when it comes to the interest rate outlook. The global economic picture is constantly changing with US tariffs and the responses and impacts relating to other countries.

But, economists seem to largely agree that further rate relief by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) could be coming over the rest of the year.

If rates are reduced, then this could help the ASX dividend stock's rental profit and boost the value of the REIT's properties. This could also help push the share price higher, helping shareholder returns.

The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 30% I'd buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This latest update reveals that there will be no less than seven shares kicked out of the benchmark ASX 200 index later this month.

Let's now take a look at which shares are being removed and then what will be replacing them.

Saying goodbye to the ASX 200

There are seven ASX 200 shares that will be leaving the benchmark index when it rebalances on 24 March.

The first one is Audinate Group Ltd (ASX: AD8). Tough trading conditions have weighed heavily on this audio technology company's performance over the past 12 months. This has led to a 67% share price decline, cutting its market capitalisation to $625 million.

KFC restaurant operator Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF) is another ASX 200 share getting the boot. Its shares are down 17% since this time last year, reducing its market capitalisation to $1 billion.

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE) isn't trading too far away from a 52-week high. However, the social infrastructure focused property company's market capitalisation of just over $1 billion isn't enough to keep it in the benchmark index.

Coal miner Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN) has sunk 60% over the past 12 months, pulling its market capitalisation down to $855 million.

Also being ejected from the ASX 200 are the shares of Johns Lyng Group Limited (ASX: JLG). This insurance building and restoration services company was sold off last month after disappointing with its half year results. Its shares are down 57% over the past 12 months, reducing its market capitalisation to $790 million.

Finally, travel and transport company Kelsian Group Ltd (ASX: KLS) and embattled casino operator Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) complete the list after sinking approximately 47% and 80%, respectively, since this time last year.

The bad news for these ASX 200 shares is that selling pressure could now increase. That's because index funds that track the index will be forced to sell their shares. In addition, fund managers that have strict investment mandates may have to sell if they aren't permitted to invest outside the benchmark index.

Shares saying hello to the ASX shares

Replacing them in the ASX 200 are copper miner Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC), data centre companies Digico Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT) and Macquarie Technology Group Ltd (ASX: MAQ), mining technology company Imdex Ltd (ASX: IMD), investigative analytics and intelligence software provider Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL), gold miner Spartan Resources Ltd (ASX: SPR), and online furniture and homewares retailer Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW).

These companies could now experience an increase in demand for their shares as index funds buy in and they become available to fund managers with the aforementioned investment mandates.

The post 7 shares kicked out of the ASX 200 index (and 7 new additions) appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Both higher and lower.

But, as you can see in the chart below, CQE – which invests in childcare centres, healthcare facilities, and transport hubs – has enjoyed a strong rebound in 2025.

At yesterday's closing price of $2.88, shares are up 9.92% from this time last year.

The ASX 200 REIT also has a long track record as a reliable passive income stock. And unlike the majority of ASX 200 stocks, which pay dividends twice per year, the Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT pays dividends quarterly.

Over the past 12 months, CQE has paid out a total of 15.6 cents a share in unfranked dividends.

At Monday's closing price, that equates to a trailing dividend yield of 5.4%.

And according to Daylight Financial Group's Elio D'Amato, there's a lot of potential upside ahead for CQE in 2025 (courtesy of The Bull).

Tailwinds ahead for this ASX 200 REIT

"CQE invests in social infrastructure properties within Australia," said D'Amato, who has a buy recommendation on the ASX 200 REIT. "Following its first half result in fiscal year 2025 and recent share price bounce, CQE is trading at a hefty discount to net tangible assets."

Commenting on the REIT's results for the six months to 31 December, D'Amato said:

It has a conservative balance sheet, with no debt maturing until July 2027. Occupancy remains at 100%. The company divested $84 million in childcare properties at an 8.6% premium to book value, while reducing childcare exposure from 77% to 74%.

Investing $47 million in a healthcare facility provides more portfolio diversity.

The ASX 200 REIT also has some built-in buffers against the earnings-eroding powers of inflation.

"Market rent reviews on 60 properties in fiscal year 2025 provides potential for rental growth," D'Amato explained.

As for those juicy dividends, D'Amato said, "Management increased distribution guidance, implying a 5.5% forecast yield. A buy-back of up to $25 million adds further upside to sentiment."

What's happening with the Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT?

The CQE share price closed up 8.5% on 11 February, the day the company reported its half-year results.

The ASX 200 REIT holds a $2.1 billion property portfolio with a long weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of 11.9 years and 100% occupancy. And 43% of CQE's rental income will be subject to market rent reviews in the next four years.

As for that boosted dividend guidance, management increased the full-year FY 2025 payout forecast to 15.2 cents a share, up from the prior guidance of 15.0 cents a share.

The post The high-yielding ASX 200 REIT now 'trading at a hefty discount' appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The outperforming ASX 200 REIT in question is Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE), which invests in childcare centres, healthcare facilities, and transport hubs.

Shares in the real estate investment trust closed yesterday trading for $2.58. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $2.84 apiece, up 10.1%.

Here's what's spurring investor interest.

ASX 200 real estate investment trust lifts on results

Investors are bidding up the ASX 200 REIT following the release of its half-year results for the six months ending 31 December (H1 FY 2025).

The real estate investment trust reported a 3.7% year on year decline in operating earnings of $28.5 million. That equates to 7.6 cents per share, down 5.0% from the 8.0 cents per share reported in H1 FY 2024.

On the plus side of the ledger, the REIT reported like-for-like net property income of $51.6 million, representing growth of 3.2%. Management noted this was partially offset by net divestment activity over the half.

Net tangible assets (NTA) remained unchanged year on year at $3.82 per share.

Statutory earnings came in at $31.0 million while operating earnings were down 3.7% year on year to $28.5 million.

The Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT has a weighted average debt maturity of 3.4 years. As at 31 December, the balance sheet gearing was reported at 31.0%, at the lower end of the REIT's targeted 30% to 40% range.

The real estate investment trust (which makes quarterly payments) paid a total of 7.5 cents in unfranked dividends for the half year, down 6.2% from H1 FY 2024.

On the operational front, the company holds a $2.1 billion property portfolio with a long weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of 11.9 years and 100% occupancy. And 43% of the ASX 200 REIT's rental income will be subject to market rent reviews in the next four years.

What did management say?

Commenting on the results lifting the ASX 200 real estate investment trust today, Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT's fund manager Travis Butcher noted, "Recent market rent reviews on 15 properties delivered a 16.4% increase, highlighting the under-rented nature of CQE's childcare portfolio."

Butcher added:

Active portfolio curation remains a key strategy for CQE to deliver earnings and distribution growth. The acquisition of a pathology laboratory in Western Australia leased to Clinipath Pathology at a 6.4% yield is consistent with our strategy to invest in social infrastructure property delivering essential community services.

This was funded through the divestment of 16 childcare assets throughout the half for total consideration of $84 million at an average yield of 4.6%. This highlights the ongoing demand and liquidity for childcare property.

What's ahead for the ASX 200 real estate investment trust?

Looking at what could impact the ASX 200 real estate investment trust in the months ahead, management announced their intention to conduct an on-market buyback of up to $25 million of CQE shares.

Management expects to see continued "significant growth opportunities" in social infrastructure assets, driven by favourable demographic trends and government backing.

Likely boosting investor sentiment today, the REIT increased its full-year FY 2025 dividend guidance to 15.2 cents per share, up from the prior 15.0 cents per share.

The post Why this ASX 200 real estate investment trust (REIT) is rocketing 10% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Analysts closely monitor the big end of the ASX share market, like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL). According to Commsec, CBA and CSL each have 15 analyst ratings. It's less likely that ASX blue-chip shares will be undervalued if there are many analysts monitoring a business.

However, there are smaller ASX 300 shares out there with a lot fewer (or zero) analysts covering them. I believe we can find 'steals' the more we look down the market capitalisation list.  

The two stocks I'll talk about below are facing challenges, but their valuations look appealing for the long-term. Let's dive into the ideas.

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

This company is best known as a large KFC franchisee business with operations in Australia and Europe. It also operates a relatively small network of Taco Bells in Australia.

The chart below shows that Collins Foods' share price has dropped more than 38% this year. I believe this decline opens up an appealing opportunity to be a contrarian investor.

Collins Foods' FY25 half-year result demonstrated the problems it's facing. While revenue rose 1.2% to $703.5 million, underlying net profit declined 23.8% to $23.7 million. Profit margins were impacted by continued wage, energy and input cost inflation, as well as higher depreciation charges due to a larger restaurant footprint.

A few factors make me optimistic that the ASX 300 share's net profit can rise in future years.

First, Collins Foods can continue expanding its KFC network to grow sales and profit. In the HY25 result announcement, the company said it expects to open seven more stores over the rest of FY25, with three more locations in Australia and four in the Netherlands.

Second, the company's cost inflation problems could subside. The latest ABS inflation reading for the three months to September 2024 showed annual CPI inflation of just 2.8%. Annual inflation has reduced significantly compared to the last couple of years, which I think bodes well for slower cost growth for the ASX 300 share.

Third, the valuation looks very cheap if profit growth returns. Broker UBS is forecasting a profit decline in FY25, with earnings per share (EPS) predicted to fall to 37 cents. However, EPS is then forecast to rebound to 54 cents in FY26 and 66 cents in FY27.

The UBS projection puts the current Collins Foods share price at 14x FY25's estimated earnings.

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE)

Most real estate investment trusts (REITs) have gone through pain over the past two years as interest rates soared. First, the cost of debt increased, hurting rental profits. Second, higher rates were a headwind for commercial property values.

However, with interest rates seemingly at their peak, the RBA's next move looks like a cut. It could be fruitful to look at some REITs, like Charter Hall Social Infrastructure, which has suffered.

The Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT share price has declined 36% between December 2021 and today, as the chart above shows. That's despite the business having a solid property portfolio largely focused on childcare centres, with some exposure to other tenant industries, including healthcare, life sciences, and emergency services.

All of the ASX 300 share's operational properties were independently valued as of 30 June 2024, helping the REIT to report net tangible assets (NTA) (an underlying value) per unit of $3.82. The Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT share price is sitting at a discount of just over 30% to its NTA.

The business has impressive portfolio metrics, which I believe justifies narrowing the NTA discount in 2025. At the end of FY24, it reported having a long weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of 12.4 years, which is appealing for the visibility of future rental income.

Another positive is that rental income continues to grow—in FY24, it achieved an average rental increase of 3.4%. In FY25, the REIT expects two-thirds of its rental income to experience a fixed average increase of 3%, with the other third seeing a mix of CPI-linked increases and market-linked reviews.  

It expects to pay a 5.7% distribution yield in FY25, which I'd consider a decent return by itself. If the NTA discount narrows, this ASX 300 share could outperform the ASX share market return.

The post Why I think these 2 ASX 300 shares are steals appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In fact, they're all scheduled to go ex-dividend on 30 December.

This sets a deadline for ASX investors interested in racking up some extra dividends before the year is out.

However, act with caution. Don't go buying stocks just because they're about to pay a dividend!

The Fool recommends making sure they stack up on a fundamental analysis basis before investing your hard-earned money.

ASX 200 stocks going ex-dividend on 30 December

If you want the next dividend from these ASX 200 stocks, you need to buy them before the ex-dividend date. This is the first day that the stock will trade without its next dividend attached.

The share price typically goes down on the ex-dividend date.

This is because the stock is less appealing without the dividend attached. Investors also know that the company's balance sheet will take a hit when the dividend is paid to shareholders.

It's useful to be aware of the ex-dividend dates on the ASX 200 stocks you own or are watching.

If you already own the stock, this awareness will forewarn you of the likely share price fall on ex-dividend day. By the way, that fall may present a good opportunity for dollar-cost averaging.

If you've been watching a stock and would like to buy it, and the price is right, knowing the ex-dividend date may help you plan the timing of your purchase.

Here are a bunch of ASX 200 stocks going ex-dividend next week and the amounts they will pay investors.

15 ASX 200 stocks going ex-dividend on 30 December

The post 15 ASX 200 stocks going ex-dividend before New Year's Eve appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here we profile 7 ASX All Ords shares that were elevated to a 'strong buy' rating last month.

7 ASX All Ords shares upgraded to a 'strong buy' rating

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

The Droneshield share price is currently 95 cents, down 0.52% on Friday.

Bell Potter has a buy rating on the stock with a 12-month share price target of $1.20.

In a new note, the broker commented:

Whilst DroneShield's revenue YTD has been disappointing, we view this as an opportunity to reset market expectations, which were overly optimistic for CY24.

However, DRO remains a high-quality technology company, operating in a rapidly growing market and is well capitalised to maintain its market leading position.

We believe the current SP provides an attractive entry point considering DRO's strong runway into CY25 ($18m contracted rev.), robust market demand and appealing long-term growth outlook.

The ASX All Ords industrials share is up 150% in the year to date.

Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR)

The Karoon Energy share price is $1.38, down 0.72% today.

Karoon Energy released its third-quarter update last month.

The energy producer revealed a 25% quarterly increase in production,

This reflected a 44% increase in Bauna production, which helped offset a 10% decline in production at Who Dat due to seasonal hurricane impacts and planned maintenance.

The company also announced another US$25 million share buyback.

This ASX All Ords energy share is down 33% in the year to date.

Catapult Group International Ltd (ASX: CAT)

The Catapult share price is $2.73, up 4.2% on Friday.

Bell Potter has a buy rating on this sports technology company with a 12-month share price target of $2.75.

The broker believes Catapult's Tactics & Coaching (video) business has great potential.

This ASX All Ords technology share is up 98% in the year to date.

Siteminder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

The Siteminder share price is currently $6.56, down 1.06%.

Jarden has a buy rating on the company with a 12-month share price target of $7.48.

Siteminder owns an all-in-one hotel management software platform.

In a note to clients, Jarden analyst Ed Woodgate wrote:

We are increasingly bullish on SDR given our research indicates it is one of the higher quality tech names in the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries (ASX: XSO).

The ASX All Ords tech share is up 27% in the year to date.

Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL)

The Bellevue Gold share price is $1.60, down 1.85% at the time of writing.

The Western Australian gold producer released its September quarter update last month.

The company revealed gold production of 35,993 ounces over the three months.

The miner sold 39,405 ounces at an average realised gold price of AU$3,420 per ounce. That's well above its reported all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of AU$1,892 per ounce.

The ASX All Ords gold share is down 4% in the year to date.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)

Ramelius Resources shares are trading at $2.32 apiece, down 2.93% on Friday.

The Western Australian gold miner released new quarterly results last month.

Ramelius reported gold production of 62,444 ounces over the quarter.

Gold sales totalled 62,806 ounces at an average realised price of AU$3,359 per ounce. The AISC was AU$1,965 per ounce.

The ASX All Ords gold share is up 16% in the year to date.

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE)

The Charter Hall Social Infrastructure share price is currently $2.61, down 0.19%.

This ASX real estate investment trust (REIT) invests in childcare centres, healthcare clinics and transport facilities.

The ASX All Ords REIT is down 12.5% in the year to date.

The post 7 ASX All Ords shares elevated to 'strong buy' status in October appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Luckily, next week is an example of the former.

Whenever an ASX share announces a dividend payment, it must also nominate an ex-dividend date for that payment. This 'ex-div' date is when a line is drawn in the sand between those shareholders who are eligible to receive the payment, and those who will miss out.

Put simply, if you wish to receive a company's latest dividend, you need to own the shares at least one day before the ex-dividend date. If you buy those shares on or after that date, you will miss out on the payment, with the seller retaining the rights to the cash.

As we noted above, there are quite a few ASX shares set to trade ex-dividend on the stock market next week. But today, let's go through no fewer than nine popular real estate investment trusts (REITs) that are in line to fork out their latest dividends (dividend distributions, to be precise).

Before we get right into it, it's worth remembering that dividend distributions from REITs rarely come with any franking credits attached. That's due to their unique composition, which prevents them from paying corporate taxes (from which franking credits are generated) like companies do.

With that out of the way, here are the nine popular ASX REITs with ex-dividend dates set for next week:

Nine ASX income stocks set to trade ex-dividend next week

 *Dividend yield as of Thursday's close

Foolish takeaway

Those are the nine popular REITs scheduled to trade ex-dividend next week.

All of these REITs currently have relatively large trailing dividend distribution yields. As such, we might see some fairly large share price drops when each of them goes 'ex-div'. That will reflect the hefty loss of value for new investors when this eligibility window closes.

So if you see any of these ASX REITs drop like a rock next week, you'll probably know why.

The post 9 popular ASX REITs with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.