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 October, 2005

                                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

                        SECOND INTERIM DIVIDEND FOR 2005

                           SCRIP DIVIDEND ALTERNATIVE

Pursuant to HSBC Holdings plc's second interim dividend for 2005 a total of
19,180,779 Ordinary Shares of US$0.50 each have been issued. Accordingly,
application has been made to The UK Listing Authority for these shares to be
admitted to the Official List and to the London Stock Exchange for these shares
to be admitted to trading. The Shares rank pari passu with the existing issued
ordinary shares of the Company. Dealings are expected to commence on 5 October
2005.


Nicola Black
Assistant Secretary
020 7991 2652





                                    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:  5 October 2005