Based on your financial expertise, provide your response or viewpoint on the given financial question or topic. The response format is open.

Can a non dividend-paying product (say ETF) suddenly start paying dividends?
Yes, absolutely. Consider Microsoft,  Updated Jan. 17, 2003 11:59 p.m. ET  Software giant Microsoft Corp.,   finally bowing to mounting pressure to return some of its huge cash   hoard to investors, said it will begin paying a regular annual   dividend to shareholders. From Wall Street Journal. Thus, for the years prior to 2003, the company didn't pay dividends but changed that. There can also be some special one-time dividends as Microsoft did the following year according to the Wall Street Journal: The $32 billion one-time dividend payment, which comes to $3 for each   share of Microsoft stock, could be a measurable stimulus to the U.S.   economy -- and is expected to arrive just in time for holiday   shopping. Course companies can also reduce to stop dividends as well.