Does dividend really a matter when there is a perfect market? Can anybody explain this? thanks.

Perfect markets are a theoretical ideal and if they do exist they only exist fleetingly.

Dividends are a way of differentiating and therefore attracting investors.

I'm no expert but thought this might help spark some debate or even discussion in the quietist finance forum I have ever been in.

Feel free to come back and call me an idiot that would be better than the deafening silence.

I think in this current climate - longer term stability is more important than dividends - a company that is dishing out dividends now might not be doing so next year or the year after that - it also depends on what your intentions are - short terms gains or long term investment - I think the days of a perfect market are gone for some time.