SCRIP DIVIDEND & PLAN D'EPARGNE

HSBC HOLDINGS PLC

FIRST INTERIM DIVIDEND FOR 2010 AND

HSBC (FRANCE), PLAN D'EPARGNE

83,004,992 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each have been issued by HSBC Holdings plc to shareholders who elected to receive the scrip dividend alternative for the first interim dividend for 2010, payable on 7 July 2010.

2,928,158 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each have been issued in connection with HSBC (France), Plan d'Epargne, an employee share plan.

The shares rank pari passu with the existing issued ordinary shares of the Company. 

Application has been made to the Financial Services Authority for the shares to be admitted to the Official List and to the London Stock Exchange for the shares to be admitted to trading. Dealings are expected to commence on 7 July 2010.

R G Barber

Group Company Secretary

7 July 2010