A record date is a date set by a company to determine which shareholders are eligible for a corporate action. Shareholders who own shares on the record date are entitled to any benefits linked to that corporate action.
For example, if a company's record date is set for 13th July 2024, all shareholders holding shares on that date are eligible for the corporate action benefits. However, anyone who buys the shares after 13th July 2024 will not be eligible to participate in that action.