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 May, 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- ..............)


                               HSBC HOLDINGS PLC

                        FOURTH INTERIM DIVIDEND FOR 2007

                           SCRIP DIVIDEND ALTERNATIVE

136,165,605 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 fourth interim dividend for 2007, payable on 7 May 2008.  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 May 2008.



R G Barber

Group Company Secretary

7 May 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:  07 May 2008