A corporation declares a cash dividend on Friday, December 5th, payable to holders of record on Friday, December 19th. The local newspaper publishes the announcement on Monday, December 8th, while Standard and Poor's reports the dividend on Friday, December 12th. The ex date for regular way trades will be set at:
A Friday, December 5th
B Wednesday, December 17th
C Thursday, December 18th
D Friday, December 19th