I understand that for the monetary dividend. I think my confusion comes with the price adjustment post split. If I buy a share at $100 between the record date and the split date, after the split date will that price not be marked down to $50 (in a 1:2 split)? If you don’t get the share dividend (2 new shares worth 50 each) how will the old value be reflected in my brokerage account? Is my price never adjusted?

So between the record date and the payout date if you buy a share, how does that translate to holding the same value post split if you don’t get the dividend? I’m wondering about the mechanics. Is the price of your share just never adjusted down?

This misses the mark a little bit- see my comment to mhoran below.

Thanks for the response. I understand that- and I know that the split doesn’t affect the value of the company. My question is more along the lines of timing of buys and sells though to take advantage of the dividend. It could also be looked at by asking why anyone would buy the shares after the record date and before the split goes into effect- they would pay full price and immediately have the value slashed upon the split date as they don’t receive the dividend.