ex dividend hedging

[SanMiguel]

Hasn't been discussed for a while but is there any way to hedge and just take the divi?

go long about 4/5days before the ExD date to benefit from the subsequent rise in price and short the stock on open on the ExD date to benefit from subsequent fall in price which normally equals the dividend amount.

Don't the pre market conditions effectively wipe out any hedge potential here?
If you open a short the next day, the market will already be lower...

 

[A Dashing Blade]

Short answer . . . "no"
Buying stock / sell at the money call both a week or so in front of the div payment, you'll either get called for the div or be in the stock at a pretty good discount to entry price is about the nearest you can get.

 

[mrleepsmith]

Its not someting that is remotely possible without the competitive advantage of full service.