Final answer:
The correct answer to the student's question is that the dividend policy must be formulated considering two basic objectives: maximizing shareholder wealth and providing for sufficient financing. A firm needs to balance between offering dividends and reinvesting profits to ensure sustainable growth and financial stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dividend policy must be formulated considering two basic objectives, which are maximizing shareholder wealth and providing sufficient financing. When a firm decides to issue stock, it recognizes that investors expect a return on their investment. This return can be delivered through dividends, which are direct payments to shareholders, or through capital gains, which is the increase in the value of the stock between when it is bought and when it is sold. A well-considered dividend policy takes into account these aspects, balancing immediate shareholder rewards with the need for reinvesting profits to promote further growth and maintain financial health.