HSBC Holdings PLC - First Interim Dividend For 2004

Payment on Ordinary Shares

The first interim dividend will be payable in cash, in US dollars, sterling or Hong Kong dollars, or a combination of these currencies, at the forward exchange rates quoted by HSBC Bank plc in London at or about 11.00 am on 28 June 2004, with a scrip dividend alternative. Particulars of these arrangements will be mailed to shareholders on or about 2 June 2004, and elections will be required to be made by 23 June 2004.

Any person who has acquired shares registered on the Principal Register in the United Kingdom but who has not lodged the share transfer with the Principal Registrar should do so before 4.00 pm on Friday 21 May 2004 in order to receive the dividend.

The Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register of shareholders will be closed for one day, on Friday 21 May 2004. Any person who has acquired shares registered on that Branch Register but who has not lodged the share transfer with the Hong Kong Branch Registrar should do so before 4.00 pm on Thursday 20 May 2004 in order to receive the dividend. Transfers may not be made to or from the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register while that Branch Register is closed.

Any person who has acquired shares registered on the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register of shareholders but who has not lodged the share transfer with the Bermuda Branch Registrar should do so before 4.00 pm on Friday 21 May 2004 in order to receive the dividend.

Payment on shares held through Euroclear France

The dividend will be payable on shares held through Euroclear France, the settlement and central depositary system for Euronext Paris, on 7 July 2004 to the holders of record on 21 May 2004. The dividend will be payable in cash, in euros at the exchange rate on 28 June 2004, or as a scrip dividend. Particulars of these arrangements will be announced through Euronext Paris on 26 May.

Payment on American Depositary Shares

The dividend will be payable on American Depositary Shares, each of which represents five ordinary shares, on 7 July 2004 to holders of record on 21 May 2004. The dividend of US$0.65 per American Depositary Share will be payable in cash in US dollars or as a scrip dividend of new American Depositary Shares.

Particulars of these arrangements will be mailed to holders on or about 2 June 2004, and elections will be required to be made by 16 June 2004. Alternatively, the cash dividend may be invested in additional American Depositary Shares for participants in the dividend reinvestment plan operated by the depositary. Any person who has acquired American Depositary Shares but who has not lodged the transfer documentation with the depositary should do so before 12 noon on Friday 21 May 2004 in order to receive the dividend.

INTERIM RESULTS AND SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH INTERIM DIVIDENDS FOR 2004

As indicated in the announcement of the 2003 Annual Results, the interim results for the six months to 30 June 2004 will be announced on Monday 2 August 2004.

The proposed timetables for the second, third and fourth interim dividends in respect of 2004 are:

2004

Second interim dividend for 2004

Announcement = 2 August

Shares quoted ex-dividend in London, Hong Kong and Bermuda; ADSs quoted ex-dividend in New York = 18 August

Record date and closure of Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register of shareholders for one day = 20 August

Shares quoted ex-dividend in Paris = 23 August

Payment date = 6 October

Third interim dividend for 2004

Announcement = 8 November

ADSs quoted ex-dividend in New York = 23 November

Shares quoted ex-dividend in London, Hong Kong and Bermuda = 24 November

Record date and closure of Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register of shareholders for one day = 26 November

Shares quoted ex-dividend in Paris = 29 November

2005

Payment date = 20 January

Fourth interim dividend for 2004

Announcement = 28 February

Shares quoted ex-dividend in London, Hong Kong and Bermuda; ADSs quoted ex-dividend in New York = 16 March

Record date and closure of Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register of shareholders for one day = 18 March

Shares quoted ex-dividend in Paris = 21 March

Payment date = 4 May

The Directors of HSBC Holdings plc are Sir John Bond, Baroness Dunn, Sir Brian Moffat, S K Green, A W Jebson, W F Aldinger, Lord Butler, R K F Ch'ien, W R P Dalton, D G Eldon, R A Fairhead, D J Flint, W K L Fung, M F Geoghegan, S Hintze, Sir John Kemp-Welch, Lord Marshall, Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, S W Newton, H Sohmen, C S Taylor and Sir Brian Williamson.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange