FAQs

HSBC shares and shareholding

• What is the structure of HSBC's issued share capital?
• Where are HSBC's shares listed?
• How many HSBC ordinary shares does an American Depository Share ("ADS") represent?
• What are HSBC's stock symbols?
• Who do I contact if I have an enquiry relating to my shareholding regarding, for example, transfers of shares, change of name or address, or lost share certificates or dividend cheques?
• What happened to my Household International stock following the acquisition of the company by HSBC?
• Can I choose to receive corporate communications in respect of my HSBC shareholding electronically?
• When is HSBC's Annual General Meeting?

HSBC financial reporting

• When does HSBC report its financial results?
• Are HSBC's results presentations webcast live?
• What is the basis of preparation of HSBC's financial statements?
• What is HSBC's reporting currency?
• Who is HSBC's independent auditor?

HSBC dividends

• Does HSBC pay dividends?
• In which currencies does HSBC pay its dividend?
• Does HSBC have a Scrip Dividend scheme?
• How do I calculate my dividend entitlement before receiving my entitlement advice and form of election?
• How do I calculate my dividend entitlement if I am an American Depository Share owner?
• Where can I find out about historic dividend payments?
• Who do I contact if I haven’t received my dividend entitlement advice or my dividend payment?

Taxation

• What is the position regarding taxation of dividends, taxation of capital gains, and stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax?
• What is the taxation position if I am a US resident?

What is the structure of HSBC's issued share capital?

Since 2 July 1999, HSBC Holdings has had one class of ordinary shares, denominated in US$0.50.

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 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 US$0.50 ordinary shares.

On 28 July 2000, HSBC Holdings plc US$0.50 ordinary shares began trading on the Paris Stock Exchange.

On 18 February 2004, HSBC Holdings plc US$0.50 ordinary shares began trading on the Bermuda Stock Exchange.

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Where are HSBC's shares listed?

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’).

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How many HSBC ordinary shares does an American Depository Share (“ADS”) represent?

HSBC has an American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme under which each American Depository Share (ADS) represents five underlying HSBC Holdings plc US$0.50 ordinary shares held by the Depository.

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What are HSBC's stock symbols?

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Who do I contact if I have an enquiry relating to my shareholding regarding, for example, transfers of shares, change of name or address, or lost share certificates or dividend cheques?

Any enquiries of this nature relating to your shareholding should be directed to the Registrars.  Follow this link for the appropriate contact details.

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What happened to my Household International stock following the acquisition of the company by HSBC?

Each Household International share was exchanged for 2.675 HSBC Holdings plc ordinary US$0.50 shares.  For further details and assistance with exchanging your Household International stock, please contact:

Computershare Trust Company of New York
Wall Street Plaza
88 Pine Street – 19th Floor
New York, NY 10005
Telephone: +866/299-4242

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Can I choose to receive corporate communications in respect of my HSBC shareholding electronically?

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 & Accounts
• Annual Review
• Interim Report
• Notices of shareholder meetings

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.

Follow this link in order to register for Electronic Communications.

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When is HSBC's Annual General Meeting?

HSBC's Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) is usually held towards the end of May each year.  Follow this link to check if the date of the next AGM has been formally announced and added to our Investor calendar.

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When does HSBC report its financial results?

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 6 months to 30 June each year, which are usually announced towards the end of July or early in August.

Follow this link to check formally announced dates for forthcoming results periods in our Investor calendar.

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Are HSBC's results presentations webcast live?

Yes.  Details of HSBC's results webcasts are usually available on our website around 2 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.

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What is the basis of preparation of HSBC's financial statements?

HSBC’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as endorsed by the EU and effective for HSBC’s reporting for the year ended 31 December 2007.  There is no difference between IFRSs as they apply to the Group.

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What is HSBC's reporting currency?

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.

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Who is HSBC's independent auditor?

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.

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Does HSBC pay dividends?

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.

Follow this link to check HSBC's proposed timetables for dividends.

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In which currencies does HSBC pay its dividend?

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 United States 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 United States dollars, unless you have previously elected to receive payment in Hong Kong dollars or Sterling.

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

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

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Does HSBC have a Scrip Dividend scheme?

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.

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

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.

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How do I calculate my dividend entitlement before receiving my entitlement advice and form of election?

Once a dividend has been declared, you will be able to calculate the value of your dividend in US dollars by following this link and inserting the number of HSBC ordinary shares you own.

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How do I calculate my dividend entitlement before receiving my entitlement advice and form of election if I am an American Depository Share owner?

HSBC has an American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme under which each American Depository Share (ADS) represents five HSBC US$0.50 ordinary shares.

You will be able to calculate the value of your dividend in US dollars by following this link  and inserting the number of HSBC ADS shares you own into the ADS calculator.

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Where can I find out about historic dividend payments?

Follow this link for details of historic HSBC dividends.

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Who do I contact if I haven’t received my dividend entitlement advice or my dividend payment?

Any enquiries relating to the non-receipt of your dividend entitlement advice or dividend payment should be directed to the Registrars.  Please follow this link for the appropriate contact details.

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What is the position regarding taxation of dividends, taxation of capital gains, and stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax?

Please refer to page 458 of HSBC Holdings plc’s 2007 Annual Report and Accounts. For specific circumstances and if in doubt, you should refer to your financial or professional adviser.

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What is the taxation position if I am a US resident?

Please refer to page 460 of HSBC Holdings plc’s 2007 Annual Report and Accounts.  For specific circumstances and if in doubt, you should refer to your financial or professional adviser.

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