HSBC HOLDINGS PLC
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS, STERLING
OR HONG KONG DOLLARS
On 2 March 2009, the Directors of HSBC Holdings plc declared a fourth interim dividend for 2008 of US$0.10 per ordinary share. The dividend is payable on 6 May 2009 to shareholders on the Principal Register, the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register or the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register at close of business on 20 March 2009 in cash in United States dollars, sterling or Hong Kong dollars, or a combination of these currencies and with a scrip dividend alternative.
In the absence of instructions to the contrary, shareholders on the Principal Register will automatically receive dividends in sterling. However, shareholders with addresses in the United States will automatically receive dividends in United States dollars unless they currently receive payment in one of the other currencies or make an election to do so. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, shareholders on the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register and the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register will automatically receive dividends in Hong Kong dollars and United States dollars respectively.
Dividends payable in cash in sterling or Hong Kong dollars on 6 May 2009 will be converted from United States dollars at the forward exchange rates quoted by HSBC Bank plc in London at 11.00 am on 27 April 2009 (US$1 = HK$7.74955 and £1 = US$1.455325). Accordingly, the amount payable on 6 May 2009 will be:
US$0.10 per share;
approximately HK$0.774955 per share; or
approximately £0.068713 per share.
The dividend payable to holders of American Depositary Shares ('ADSs'), each of which represents five ordinary shares, will be US$0.50 per ADS. The dividend will be paid on 6 May 2009 in cash in United States dollars or in new shares to those who have elected to receive the scrip dividend alternative. The cash dividend for participants in the dividend reinvestment plan, operated by the depositary, will be invested in additional ADSs.
R G Barber
Group Company Secretary
HSBC Holdings plc