First Interim Dividend 2006

26 Jun 2006 12:09

HSBC Holdings PLC26 June 2006 HSBC HOLDINGS PLC PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS, STERLING OR HONG KONG DOLLARS On 2 May 2006, the Directors of HSBC Holdings plc declared a first interimdividend for 2006 of US$0.15 per ordinary share. The dividend is payable on 6July 2006 to shareholders on the Principal Register, the Hong Kong OverseasBranch Register or the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register at close of business on19 May 2006 in cash in United States dollars, sterling or Hong Kong dollars, ora combination of these currencies and with a scrip dividend alternative. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, shareholders on the PrincipalRegister will automatically receive dividends in sterling. However, ifshareholders have an address in the United States they will automaticallyreceive any dividend payable in United States dollars unless they currentlyreceive payment in one of the other currencies or make an election to do so. Inthe absence of instructions to the contrary, shareholders on the Hong KongOverseas Branch Register and the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register willautomatically receive dividends in Hong Kong dollars and United States dollarsrespectively. Dividends payable in cash in sterling or Hong Kong dollars will be convertedfrom United States dollars at the forward exchange rates to 6 July 2006 quotedby HSBC Bank plc in London at 11.00 am on 26 June 2006 (US$1 = HK$7.7631 and £1= US$1.82035). Accordingly, the amount payable on 6 July will be: US$0.15 per share; approximately HK$1.164465 per share; or approximately £0.082402 per share. The dividend payable to holders of American Depositary Shares ('ADSs'), each ofwhich represents five ordinary shares, will be US$0.75 per ADS. The dividendwill be paid on 6 July 2006 in cash in United States dollars or in new shares tothose who have elected to receive the scrip dividend alternative. The cashdividend for participants in the dividend reinvestment plan, operated by thedepositary, will be invested in additional ADSs. R G Barber Group Company Secretary HSBC Holdings plc This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange