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 December, 2003

HSBC Holdings plc

42^nd 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- ..............).

NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

Section 198 - Companies Act 1985

The Company was notified today by Barclays PLC, that as at 2 December 2003, Barclays PLC no longer has a notifiable interest in the share capital of HSBC Holdings plc.

Letter to: HSBC Holdings plc from Geoff Smith, Manager, Secretarial Services, Group Corporate Secretariat, Barclays PLC

Companies Act 1985 (The Act") - Part VI

I refer to our previous correspondence and now inform you that as at 2 December 2003 Barclays PLC no longer has a notifiable interest of the capital of your Company.

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: December 8, 2003