Screening Criteria for High-Probability Dividend Capture Trades

After tracking hundreds of ex-dividend trades, here's the screening criteria that improved my hit rate.

Minimum thresholds I use:

CriteriaTargetAnnualized yield>4%Avg daily volume>500k sharesMarket cap>$1BDays since last earnings>14 daysBid-ask spread<0.1% of share price

Red flags I avoid:

• Ex-date falls during earnings week (too much noise)

• Stock has earnings within 5 days post-ex-date

• Recent dividend cut or suspension history

• Abnormally high yield vs. historical average (could signal trouble)

• Low float with potential for volatility

The pattern I look for:

Stocks that historically recover the dividend drop within 3-5 trading days. Not all do. Some take weeks. Track this for your candidates.

What screening criteria have worked for you? Curious if anyone's found edge in specific sectors.