Declaration Date
1. The date on which the next dividend payment is announced by the directors of a company. This statement includes the dividend's size, ex-dividend date and payment date. It is also referred to as the "announcement date".
2. The last day on which the holder of an option must indicate whether they will exercise the option. Also known as the "expiration date".
Investopedia Commentary
1. Once it is authorized, it is known as a declared dividend and becomes the company's legal liability to pay it.
2. The declaration date of all listed stock options in the U.S. is on the third Friday of the listed month. If there is a holiday on the Friday then the declaration date falls on the third Thursday.
Related Links
Declaration, Ex-dividend And Record Date Defined
Options Basics Tutorial
See also: Board of Directors, Book Closure, Cum Dividend, Dividend, Equalizing Dividend, Ex-Date, Ex-Dividend, Holder of Record, Option, Record Date
declaration date