hsbc

HSBC's chief economist Stephen King has warned the rapidly rising oil price is a greater threat to the world economy and financial markets than a Greek default.

HSBC could face criminal charges and "significant" fines in the US in the wake of investigations into alleged money-laundering.

US markets slid into negative territory shortly after the open, while European indices fell further after a day in the red, ahead of a crucial vote on Greece.

HSBC's annual profits rose 15% to $21.9bn (£13.8bn) before tax, fuelled by increasing revenues from its emerging markets customer base.

COMMODITIES

HSBC is preparing to sell new shares to pay senior staff bonuses of more than £50,000, under a new pay structure, according to reports.

Discussions around what the post-RDR landscape will look like have tended to focus on cost and share classes but what of fund choice in 2013 and beyond? How many funds will remain in existence and how many providers?

M&G tops both retail sales lists as investors seek out bond funds, while BlackRock's active and passive vehicles also prove popular.

Top managers spy high yield opportunities as European Central Bank's liquidity injections transform banks' refinancing operations.

Poor results from companies such as Unilever, AstraZeneca and Shell last week showed the valuation gap between defensives and cyclicals is closing in a "vicious" fashion, according to JO Hambro Capital Management's James Lowen.