Don’t panic if these 9 ASX 200 shares fall today

A number of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares could open lower on Tuesday, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything has gone wrong.

9 ASX 200 companies are trading ex-dividend today, which means anyone buying the shares from this point won’t receive the latest dividend.

This can often lead to the share price dropping by roughly the value of the dividend. But keep in mind that other market movements can still push the shares higher or lower on the day.

According to The Australian, the combined ex-dividend moves are expected to shave around 6 points from the ASX 200 today.

So, which shares should investors be watching?

The ex-dividend moves to watch today

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares finished Monday at $17.70 and are trading ex-dividend for a fully franked 46 cents per share payout.

The dividend is due to be paid on 29 September.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares closed at $79.44 and are going ex-dividend for a fully franked $1.20 per share dividend, with payment scheduled for 7 October.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares ended Monday at $40.31. The supermarket giant is trading ex-dividend for a fully franked 52 cents per share, payable on 25 September.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) is another one to watch. Its shares closed at $10.73 and are going ex-dividend for a fully franked 33 cents per share payout, due on 30 September.

Five more ASX 200 shares join the list

Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) shares finished Monday at $10.22 and are trading ex-dividend for an unfranked 25 cents per share dividend. Payment is due on 30 September.

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) shares closed at $3.14. Its latest dividend is much smaller at 1.2 cents per share, fully franked, and will be paid on 1 October.

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) shares ended Monday at $20.86 and are trading ex-dividend for an unfranked 32.5 cents per share payout, due on 30 November.

Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) shares closed at $8.98. Its fully franked 25.5 cents per share dividend is going ex-dividend today and is scheduled to be paid on 16 September.

Finally, Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) shares finished Monday at $46.97 and are going ex-dividend for a fully franked 29 cents per share payout, also due on 16 September.

What should investors expect today?

The main thing to note is that any early weakness in these shares may simply reflect the dividend coming out of the share price.

So, if any of these 9 ASX 200 shares open lower today, I wouldn’t read too much into the move straight away.