Of all the banking scandals of recent years the HSBC money-laundering affair -- which led to a record $1.9bn fine for the bank -- is perhaps the most odious.

The date is approaching for HSBC Holdings plc (LON: HSBA), Intertek Group plc (LSE: ITRK) and Carnival plc (LON: CCL). Ex-dividend dates are well worth watching out for, whether or not you own shares in a company.

Underlying revenue essentially flat as HSBC Holdings Plc (LON:HSBA) writes fewer bad loans and continues cost-cutting. HSBC Holdings (LSE: HSBA) (NYSE: HBC.

News round up: StanChart, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, Vodafone, Verizon, Severn Trent, Tata Steel and Eurozone finance ministers.

HONG KONG--HSBC Holdings PLC (HBC) said Wednesday it plans to further cut costs of US$2 billion to US$3 billion via streamlining processes and procedures by 2016.

London, England, United Kingdom (4E) - HSBC Holdings PLC reported on Wednesday that it is seeking ways to cut its cost base by $3bn and increase shareholder dividends through measures such as cutting about 14,000 jobs across its global operations.

The Board of Directors of HSBC Holdings plc as at the date of this announcement are: D J Flint, S T Gulliver, S A Catz� , L M L Cha� , M K T Cheung� , J B Comey� , J D Coombe� , J Faber� , R A Fairhead� , R Fassbind� , J W J Hughes-Hallett� , W S H ...

... the release of their Q1 results. According to Michael van Dulken, Head of Research at Accendo Markets, HSBC Holdings plc (LON:HSBA) has been the biggest helper (21.7 points) following its Q1 results which showed a near doubling of Q1 profits.

GlaxoSmithKline plc (LON:GSK), HSBC Holdings plc (LON:HSBA) and Vodafone Group plc (LON:VOD) are the heavyweight holdings of Temple Bar Investment Trust PLC (LON:TMPL).

The recovery of the BG Group plc (LON:BG) share price will be further underpinned today on news that analysts at Credit Suisse have upgraded their guidance on the stock.