Presenting different ways to think about one of the most intriguing subjects in financial economics, this title explores the puzzle presented by dividends. Irrational and subject to fashion, yet popular and desirable, they remain a priority amongst managers, even while perceived as largely symbolic. After exploring the history of dividend payments, from the emergence of the modern corporation to current perspectives, it traces the evolution of academic models on dividend policy. Here the authors review models of symmetric and asymmetric information before analyzing academia's accomplishments in solving the dividend puzzle. Related subjects, such as valuation and wealth distribution are also examined. INDICE The historical evolution of dividends The evolution of academic research on dividend policy What does academic research prove and what it does not prove New ways of thinking about dividends and dividend policy Future research and thinking.