Differences in financial structure result in contrasting financing and economic behavior. This book confronts theory and empirical research with aggregate financial data across the G7, spanning 1970 through 2000. It compares the contrasting patterns and development of financial structures with the main theoretical and empirical results in economic literature. The resulting data analysis traces portfolios over a turbulent period characterized by considerable economic and financial instability, marked financial liberalization, far-reaching technical change and volatile asset prices.