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, 2006

                                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
quarterly on the Series A Dollar Preference Shares on 15 March, 15 June, 15
September and 15 December at the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of
HSBC Holdings plc. Accordingly, the Board of HSBC Holdings plc has declared a
dividend for the quarter ending 15 March 2006. The dividend of US$0.3875 per
Series A American Depositary Share will be payable on 15 March 2006 to holders
of record on 1 March 2006.

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 Wednesday 1 March 2006 in order to receive the dividend.



                                    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:    P A Stafford
                                                Name:  P A Stafford
                                                Title: Assistant Group Secretary
                                                Date:  22 February 2006