Frequently asked questions

Since 2 July 1999, HSBC Holdings has had one class of ordinary shares, denominated in USD0.50.

It has a dual primary listing in the UK and Hong Kong SAR, and shares may be held on the UK register or the Hong Kong register. The Hong Kong register only includes members who are resident in the Hong Kong SAR, and they may hold shares on the Hong Kong overseas branch register.

In the United States of America, HSBC has an American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme under which, each American Depository Share (ADS) represents five USD0.50 ordinary shares.

On 28 July 2000, HSBC Holdings plc USD0.50 ordinary shares began trading on the Paris Stock Exchange.

On 18 February 2004, HSBC Holdings plc USD0.50 ordinary shares began trading on the Bermuda Stock Exchange.

HSBC Holdings are listed or admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Euronext Paris, the New York Stock Exchange and the Bermuda Stock Exchange. HSBC Holdings maintains its principal share register in London and overseas branch share registers in Hong Kong and Bermuda (collectively, the 'share register').

HSBC has an American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme under which, each American Depository Share (ADS) represents five underlying HSBC Holdings plc USD0.50 ordinary shares held by the Depository.

Any enquirers of this nature relating to your shareholding should be directed to the Registrars. For appropriate contact details, please refer to the investor contacts page.

Each Household International share was exchanged for 2.675 HSBC Holdings plc ordinary USD0.50 shares. For further details and assistance with exchanging your Household International stock, please contact:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A
Corporate Actions Dept.
250 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021
Telephone: +866 299-4242

Yes. You will need an internet-enabled PC with Internet Explorer 4 or Netscape 4 or above. In order to register, you will need your shareholder reference number, which can be found on your share certificate, dividend tax vouchers, and other shareholder communications. Once registered, we will send you an e-mail alert each time a new document is made available.

E-mail addresses will not be used for any purpose other than communicating with you as a shareholder.

You may revoke your registration or request a printed copy of any shareholder communication from the Registrars, at any time.

Currently, the following shareholder communications are available electronically:

Annual Report and Accounts
Annual Review
Interim Report
Notices of shareholder meetings
Dividend circulars
Notifications of your dividend entitlement

By deciding to receive corporate communications in respect of your HSBC shareholding electronically, it will help to reduce consumption of the world’s natural resources and save printing and mailing costs for your company.

Please go to the electronic communication page in order to register for electronic communications.

HSBC's Annual General Meeting (AGM) is usually held towards the end of May each year. Please go to the events and presentations page to check if the date of the next AGM has been formally announced and added to our investor calendar.

HSBC's financial year is the calendar year up to and including 31 December. Annual results for the financial year are usually announced at the end of February or early in March of the following year.

In addition, HSBC reports interim results for the six months to 30 June each year, which are usually announced towards the end of July or early in August.

Yes. Details of HSBC's results webcasts are usually available on our website around two weeks prior to the results announcement, when it is also possible to register for the webcast.

Archive versions of HSBC's results webcasts are also available shortly after the live webcast for 12 months. Please refer to the financial results section of this website for archived webcasts.

HSBC's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as endorsed by the EU and effective for HSBC's reporting for the year ended 31 December 2008. There is no difference between IFRSs as they apply to the Group.

HSBC uses the US dollar as its presentation currency because the US dollar and currencies linked to it form the major currency bloc in which HSBC transacts its business.

KPMG Audit Plc
Chartered Accountants
Registered Auditor

Please refer to HSBC's most recent annual report and accounts or interim report for the latest independent auditors' report or independent review respectively.

Yes, HSBC Holdings has paid dividends on its ordinary shares every year without interruption since it became the HSBC Group holding company by a scheme of arrangement in 1991.

The Board has adopted a policy of paying quarterly dividends. Under this policy it is intended to have a pattern of three equal interim dividends, with a variable fourth interim dividend.

Please refer to the dividend timetable page for HSBC's proposed timetables for dividends.

Dividends are declared in US dollars, and at the election of the shareholder, paid in cash in one of, or in a combination of, US dollars, sterling, Hong Kong dollars, or satisfied in whole or in part by the issue of new shares in lieu of a cash dividend.

If your shares are recorded on the Principal Register, you will automatically receive any dividends payable to you in cash in sterling, unless you have previously elected to receive payment in US dollars or Hong Kong dollars. However if your address is in the United States, you will automatically receive any dividends payable to you in cash in US dollars, unless you currently receive payment in one of the other currencies, or make an election to do so.

If your shares are recorded on the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register, you will automatically receive any dividends payable to you in cash in Hong Kong dollars, unless you have previously elected to receive payment in US dollars or sterling.

If your shares are recorded on the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register, you will automatically receive any dividends payable to you in cash in US dollars, unless you have previously elected to receive payment in Hong Kong dollars or sterling.

Once determined, the exchange rates are announced to the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges.

For more details on the timing and determination of the exchange rates in respect of HSBC's most recently declared dividend, please refer to the scrip dividends page to read or download the letter to shareholders.

Yes. At the election of the shareholder, dividends can be satisfied in whole or in part by the issue of new shares in lieu of a cash dividend.

The new ordinary shares will be issued subject to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and will rank equally with the existing ordinary shares in all respects.

Once determined, the scrip dividend alternative price is announced to the London, Hong Kong, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, and to the New York stock exchange in respect of ADSs.

For more details on the terms of the Scrip Dividend Scheme and basis of allotment of new shares, please go to the scrip dividends page to read or download the letter to shareholders in respect of HSBC's most recently declared dividend.

Once a dividend has been declared, you will be able to calculate the value of your dividend in US dollars by using the dividend calculator tool.

HSBC has an American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme under which, each American Depository Share (ADS) represents five HSBC USD0.50 ordinary shares.

You will be able to calculate the value of your dividend in US dollars by using the dividend calculator tool.

Please refer to the dividend history page for details of historic HSBC dividends.

Any enquiries relating to the non-receipt of your dividend entitlement advice or dividend payment should be directed to the Registrars. For appropriate contact details, please refer to the investor contacts page.

Please refer to page 522 of HSBC Holdings plc's 2012 Annual Report and Accounts. For specific circumstances and if in doubt, you should refer to your financial or professional adviser.

Please refer to page 523 of HSBC Holdings plc's 2012 Annual Report and Accounts. For specific circumstances and if in doubt, you should refer to your financial or professional adviser.