FORM 6-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                        Report of Foreign Private Issuer
                    Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                         For the month of February, 2008

                                HSBC Holdings plc

                              42nd Floor, 8 Canada
                         Square, London E14 5HQ, England


(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F).

                          Form 20-F X Form 40-F ......

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934).

                                Yes....... No X


(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ..............)



DIVIDEND ON 6.20% NON-CUMULATIVE US DOLLAR PREFERENCE SHARES,  SERIES A ("SERIES
A DOLLAR PREFERENCE SHARES")

In  2005  1,450,000  Series  A  Dollar  Preference  Shares  were  issued  for  a
consideration of US$1,000 each and Series A American  Depositary Shares, each of
which represents one-fortieth of a Series A Dollar Preference Share, were listed
on the New York Stock Exchange.

A  non-cumulative  fixed-rate  dividend of 6.20 per cent per annum is payable on
the Series A Dollar  Preference Shares on 15 March, 15 June, 15 September and 15
December for the quarter then ended at the sole and absolute  discretion  of the
Board of HSBC  Holdings  plc.  The Board of HSBC  Holdings  plc has  declared  a
dividend for the quarter  ending 15 March 2008.  Since 15 March and 16 March are
not  normal  business  days the  dividend  of  US$0.3875  per  Series A American
Depositary  Share  will be  payable  on 17 March 2008 to holders of record on 29
February 2008.

Any person who has acquired Series A American  Depositary Shares but who has not
lodged the transfer  documentation  with the  depositary  should do so before 12
noon on Friday 29 February 2008 in order to receive the dividend.

By order of the Board


R G Barber
Group Company Secretary

13 February 2008



                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                               HSBC Holdings plc

                                                By:
                                                Name:  P A Stafford
                                                Title: Assistant Group Secretary
                                                Date:  13 February, 2008