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does dividend on 401k have any effect on gains
user
adjusting for a market change from day to day, the dividend should have no impact on you. your x shares time $y should be nearly identical right after that dividend hits the account.  and within the 401(k) or ira for that matter, the accounting doesn't matter most of the time. outside a retirement account, you need to pay tax on the dividend, and add the newly purchased shares' cost to your cost basis.
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