FWP 1 tm2011420d38_fwp.htm FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration No. 333-223208

February 3, 2020

FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

(To Prospectus dated February 26, 2018,

Prospectus Supplement dated February 26, 2018 and

Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated February 26, 2018)

 

 

Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the S&P 500® Index

 

►Monthly Coupon payments at a rate of at least approximately 0.4792% (equivalent to at least 5.75% per annum) (to be determined on the Pricing Date)

 

►Callable monthly at the principal amount plus the applicable Coupon on any Call Observation Date on or after October 1, 2020 if the Official Closing Level of each Underlying is at or above its Call Threshold

 

►A Trigger Event will occur if the Official Closing Level of any Underlying is less than 70.00% of its Initial Value on any scheduled Trading Day during the Observation Period

 

►If the Notes are not called, a Trigger Event does not occur, and the Least Performing Underlying declines by more than 30.00%, there is full exposure to declines in the Least Performing Underlying, and you will lose all or a portion of your principal amount.

 

►If the Notes are not called, a Trigger Event does occur, and the Least Performing Underlying declines below its Initial Value, there is full exposure to declines in the Least Performing Underlying, and you will lose all or a portion of your principal amount.

 

►Approximate 15 month term if not called prior to maturity

 

►All payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of HSBC USA Inc.

 

The Autocallable Yield Notes (each a “Note” and collectively the “Notes”) offered hereunder will not be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Notes or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of this document, the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement or Equity Index Underlying Supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

We have appointed HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of ours, as the agent for the sale of the Notes. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will purchase the Notes from us for distribution to other registered broker-dealers or will offer the Notes directly to investors. In addition, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of its affiliates or agents may use the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates in market-making transactions in any Notes after their initial sale. Unless we or our agent inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates is being used in a market-making transaction. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page FWP-16 of this document.

 

Investment in the Notes involves certain risks. You should refer to “Risk Factors” beginning on page FWP-9 of this document, page S-1 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and page S-1 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

 

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes on the Pricing Date is expected to be between $950.00 and $990.00 per Note, which will be less than the price to public. The market value of the Notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy. See “Estimated Initial Value” on page FWP-6 and “Risk Factors” beginning on page FWP-9 of this document for additional information.

 

  Price to Public Underwriting Discount1 Proceeds to Issuer
Per Note $1,000    
Total      

1HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay varying underwriting discounts of up to 0.375% and referral fees of up to 0.75% per $1,000 Principal Amount in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers. In no case will the sum of the underwriting discounts and referral fees exceed 0.75% per $1,000 Principal Amount. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page FWP-16 of this document.

 

The Notes:

Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indicative Terms(1)

 

Principal Amount $1,000 per  Note
Term Approximate 15 month term if not called prior to maturity.
Reference Asset The Russell 2000® Index (Ticker: RTY) and the S&P 500® Index (Ticker: SPX) (each an “Underlying” and together the “Underlyings”)
Call Feature The Notes will be automatically called if the Official Closing Level of each Underlying is at or above its Call Threshold on any Call Observation Date on or after October 1, 2020.
In that case, you will receive a cash payment, per $1,000 Principal Amount, equal to the Principal Amount plus the Coupon payable on the corresponding Call Payment Date(2)
Call Threshold With respect to each Underlying, 100.00% of its Initial Value
Trigger Event: A Trigger Event occurs if the Official Closing Level of any Underlying is less than its Barrier Value on any scheduled trading day during the Observation Period.
Observation Period: With respect to a Trigger Event, the period from but excluding the Pricing Date to and including the Final Valuation Date, subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes―Observation Periods—For Notes where the Reference Asset is a basket of Indices” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
Coupon Rate At least approximately 0.4792% per month (equivalent to at least 5.75% per annum (to be determined on the Pricing Date))
Barrier Value With respect to each Underlying, 70.00% of its Initial Value

Payment at

Maturity per Note

n If a Trigger Event does not occur : $1,000 + final Coupon;

n If a Trigger Event does occur and:

(i)  The Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to 0.00%:
$1,000 + final Coupon; or

(ii)  The Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than 0.00%:

$1,000 + final Coupon + ($1,000 × Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying).

If the Notes are not called prior to maturity and a Trigger Event occurs, and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value, you may lose up to 100% of the Principal Amount. Even with any Coupons, your return on the Notes may be negative in these cases.

Reference Return

With respect to each Underlying,

Final Value – Initial Value

Initial Value

Least Performing Underlying The Underlying with the lowest Reference Return
Trade Date March 31, 2020
Pricing Date March 31, 2020
Original Issue Date April 3, 2020
Final Valuation Date(3) June 30, 2021
Maturity Date(3) July 6, 2021
CUSIP/ISIN 40438CBA8/40438CBA8

 

(1) As more fully described on page FWP-4.

(2) See page FWP-5 for Observation Dates, Coupon Payment Dates, Call Observation Dates and Call Payment Dates.

(3) Subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement

 

The Notes

 

The Notes may be suitable for investors who believe that the value of the Underlyings will not decrease significantly over the term of the Notes and who seek a fixed monthly coupon payments as long as the Notes are not called.

 

If the Official Closing Level of each Underlying is at or above its Call Threshold on any Call Observation Date beginning on October 1, 2020, your Notes will be automatically called and you will receive a payment equal to 100% of the Principal Amount, together with the applicable Coupon on the corresponding Call Payment Date.

 

If the Notes are not called prior to maturity and a Trigger Event does not occur, you will receive a Payment at Maturity equal to 100% of the Principal Amount plus the final Coupon.

 

If the Notes are not called prior to maturity and a Trigger Event occurs during the Observation Period, you will receive the Principal Amount and the final Coupon if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is positive or zero. However, if the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value, you will lose 1% of your principal for every 1% decline of that Least Performing Underlying from its Initial Value. In that case, you will lose up to 100% of the Principal Amount at maturity. Even with any Coupons paid prior to or at maturity, your return on the Notes may be negative.

 

 

 

FWP-2

 

 

Illustration of Payment Scenarios    
Your payment on the Notes will depend on whether the Notes have been called whether a Trigger Event occurs, and whether the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Initial Value. If your Notes are not called, you will lose some or all of your Principal Amount at maturity if a Trigger Event has occurred and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value. Even with any Coupon payments, your return on the Notes may be negative.  

  

 

Information about the Reference Asset  
The RTY is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the United States equity market.  All 2,000 stocks are traded on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq, and the RTY consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000® Index.  The Russell 3000® Index is composed of the 3,000 largest United States companies as determined by market capitalization and represents approximately 98% of the United States equity market.    
     
    The SPX is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 U.S. stocks. It is designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.

 

The graphs above illustrate the performance of the Underlyings from February 1, 2010 through February 28, 2020. The closing values underlying the graphs above were obtained from the Bloomberg Professional® Service. Past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. For further information on the Reference Asset please see “Description of the Reference Asset” beginning on page FWP-15 of this document. We have derived all disclosure regarding the Reference Asset from publicly available information. Neither HSBC USA Inc. nor any of its affiliates have undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, the publicly available information about the Reference Asset.

 

FWP-3

 

 

HSBC USA Inc.
Autocallable Yield Notes

 

This document relates to a single offering of Autocallable Yield Notes. The Notes will have the terms described in this document and the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement, and Equity Index Underlying Supplement. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement, or Equity Index Underlying Supplement, the terms described in this document shall control.

 

This document relates to an offering of Notes linked to the Reference Asset. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a senior unsecured debt security of HSBC USA Inc. linked to the Reference Asset as described below. The following key terms relate to the offering of the Notes:

 

Issuer: HSBC USA Inc.
Principal Amount: $1,000 per Note
Reference Asset: The Russell 2000® Index (Ticker: RTY) and the S&P 500® Index (Ticker: SPX), (each an “Underlying” and together the “Underlyings”)
Trade Date: March 31, 2020
Pricing Date: March 31, 2020
Original Issue Date: April 3, 2020
Final Valuation Date: June 30, 2021, subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes―Valuation Dates” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
Maturity Date: 3 business days after the Final Valuation Date, expected to be July 6, 2021. The Maturity Date is subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes―Coupon Payment Dates, Call Payment Dates and Maturity Date” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
Call Feature: If the Official Closing Level of each Underlying is at or above its Call Threshold on any Call Observation Date the Notes will be automatically called, and you will receive a cash payment, per $1,000 Principal Amount, equal to the Principal Amount plus the applicable Coupon on the corresponding Call Payment Date.
Call Threshold: With respect to each Underlying, 100.00% of its Initial Value
Trigger Event: A Trigger Event occurs if the Official Closing Level of any Underlying is less than its Barrier Value on any scheduled trading day during the Observation Period.
Payment at Maturity: Unless the Notes are called prior to maturity, on the Maturity Date, for each $1,000 Principal Amount, we will pay you the Final Settlement Value.
Final Settlement Value:

n If a Trigger Event does not occur : $1,000 + final Coupon;

 

n If a Trigger Event does occur and:

 

(i)    The Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to 0.00%:

$1,000 + final Coupon; or

 

(ii)   The Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than 0.00%:

$1,000 + final Coupon + ($1,000 × Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying).

 

If the Notes are not called prior to maturity and a Trigger Event occurs, and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value, you may lose up to 100% of the Principal Amount. Even with any Coupons, your return on the Notes may be negative in these cases.

Least Performing Underlying: The Underlying with the lowest Reference Return.

Reference Return:

 

 

 

With respect to each Underlying, the quotient, expressed as a percentage, calculated as follows:

 

Final Value – Initial Value

Initial Value

 

 

FWP-4

 

 

Observation Dates and
Coupon Payment Dates:		   Observation Dates     Coupon Payment Dates      
  May 1, 2020     May 6, 2020      
  June 3, 2020     June 8, 2020      
  June 30, 2020     July 6, 2020      
  August 3, 2020     August 6, 2020      
  September 2, 2020     September 8, 2020      
  October 1, 2020   * October 6, 2020   **  
  November 3, 2020   * November 6, 2020   **  
  December 2, 2020   * December 7, 2020   **  
  December 31, 2020   * January 6, 2021   **  
  February 3, 2021   * February 8, 2021   **  
  March 3, 2021   * March 8, 2021   **  
  March 31, 2021   * April 6, 2021   **  
  May 3, 2021   * May 6, 2021   **  
  June 2, 2021   * June 7, 2021   **  
  June 30, 2021
(the Final Valuation Date)		   * July 6, 2021
(the Maturity Date)		   **  

 

 

 

*These Observation Dates are also Call Observation Dates

 

**These Coupon Payment Dates are also Call Payment Dates

 

Each subject to postponement as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Valuation Dates” and “Additional Terms of the Notes—Coupon Payment Dates, Call Payment Dates and Maturity Date” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

Call Observation Dates: The applicable Observation Dates on or after October 1, 2020, as indicated above.
Call Payment Dates: The applicable Coupon Payment Dates on or after October 6, 2020, as indicated above.
Coupon Rate: At least approximately 0.4792% per month (equivalent to at least 5.75% per annum) (to be determined on the Pricing Date)
Initial Value: With respect to each Underlying, its Official Closing Level on the Pricing Date.
Final Value: With respect to each Underlying, its Official Closing Level on the Final Valuation Date.
Barrier Value: With respect to each Underlying, 70.00% of its Initial Value.
CUSIP/ISIN: 40438CBA8/40438CBA8
Form of Notes: Book-Entry
Listing: The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quotation system.
Estimated Initial Value: The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes will be less than the price you pay to purchase the Notes. The Estimated Initial Value does not represent a minimum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in the secondary market, if any, at any time. The Estimated Initial Value will be calculated on the Pricing Date and will be set forth in the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates. See “Risk Factors — The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes, which will be determined by us on the Pricing Date, will be less than the price to public and may differ from the market value of the Notes in the secondary market, if any.”

 

The Trade Date, the Pricing Date and the other dates set forth above are subject to change, and will be set forth in the pricing supplement relating to the Notes.

 

FWP-5

 

 

GENERAL

 

This document relates to an offering of Notes linked to the Reference Asset. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a senior unsecured debt security of HSBC USA Inc. We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify this offering and to reject orders in whole or in part. Although the offering of Notes relates to the Reference Asset, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation as to the merits of acquiring an investment linked to any Underlying or any security included in any Underlying or as to the suitability of an investment in the Notes.

 

You should read this document together with the prospectus dated February 26, 2018, the prospectus supplement dated February 26, 2018 and the Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated February 26, 2018. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement or Equity Index Underlying Supplement, the terms described in this document shall control. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” beginning on page FWP-9 of this document, page S-1 of the prospectus supplement and page S-1 of the Equity Index Underlying Supplement, as the Notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Notes. As used herein, references to the “Issuer”, “HSBC”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to HSBC USA Inc.

 

HSBC has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, prospectus supplement and Equity Index Underlying Supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this document relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, prospectus supplement and Equity Index Underlying Supplement in that registration statement and other documents HSBC has filed with the SEC for more complete information about HSBC and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus, prospectus supplement and Equity Index Underlying Supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1-866-811-8049.

 

You may also obtain:

 

4The Equity Index Underlying Supplement at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420418010782/tv486722_424b2.htm

 

4The prospectus supplement at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420418010762/tv486944_424b2.htm

 

4The prospectus at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420418010720/tv487083_424b3.htm

 

We are using this document to solicit from you an offer to purchase the Notes. You may revoke your offer to purchase the Notes at any time prior to the time at which we accept your offer by notifying HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase, the Notes prior to their issuance. In the event of any material changes to the terms of the Notes, we will notify you.

 

FWP-6

 

 

PAYMENT ON THE NOTES

 

Call Feature

 

If the Official Closing Level of each Underlying is at or above its Call Threshold on any Call Observation Date the Notes will be automatically called, and you will receive a cash payment, per $1,000 Principal Amount, equal to the Principal Amount plus the applicable Coupon on the corresponding Call Payment Date.

 

Coupon

 

Unless the Notes are called, we will pay a monthly Coupon payment on each Coupon Payment Date. For information regarding the record dates applicable to the Coupons payable on the Notes, please see the section entitled “Description of Notes—Interest and Principal Payments—Recipients of Interest Payments” beginning on page S-14 in the accompanying prospectus supplement. The Coupon Rate will be at least 5.75% per annum (or at least approximately $4.7917 per $1,000 Principal Amount per month) (to be determined on the Pricing Date).

 

Trigger Event

 

A Trigger Event will occur if the Official Closing Level of any Underlying is less than its Barrier Value on any scheduled trading day during the Observation Period.

 

Payment at Maturity

 

Unless the Notes are called, on the Maturity Date and for each $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes, you will receive a cash payment equal to the Final Settlement Value determined as follows:

 

n If a Trigger Event does not occur: $1,000 + final Coupon

 

n If a Trigger Event does occur and:

 

(i)The Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to 0.00%:

$1,000 + final Coupon; or

 

(ii)The Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than 0.00%:

$1,000 + final Coupon + ($1,000 × Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying)

 

If the Notes are not called prior to maturity and a Trigger Event occurs, and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value, you may lose up to 100% of the Principal Amount. Even with the Coupons, your return on the Notes may be negative in these cases.

 

Calculation Agent

 

We or one of our affiliates will act as calculation agent with respect to the Notes.

 

Reference Sponsors

 

The reference sponsor of the RTY is FTSE Russell. The reference sponsor of the SPX is S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global.

 

FWP-7

 

 

INVESTOR SUITABILITY

 

The Notes may be suitable for you if:

 

4You believe that the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying will be at or above its Initial Value.

 

4You seek a fixed monthly Coupon, that will be paid at the Coupon Rate of at least 5.75% per annum (to be determined on the Pricing Date) to be paid on each Coupon Payment Date, unless the Notes are called.

 

4You are willing to invest in the Notes based on the fact that your maximum potential return is limited to the Coupons payable on the Notes.

 

4You do not seek an investment that provides an opportunity to participate in the appreciation of the Underlyings.

 

4You are willing to make an investment that is exposed to the potential downside performance of the Underlyings on a 1-to-1 basis if a Trigger Event occurs and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value.

 

4You are willing to lose up to 100% of the Principal Amount.

 

4You are willing to hold the Notes which will be automatically called on any Call Observation Date on which the Official Closing Level of each Underlying is at or above its Call Threshold, or you are otherwise willing to hold the Notes to maturity.

 

4You are willing to forgo the dividends or other distributions paid on the constituents included in the Underlyings.

 

4You do not seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.

 

4You are willing to accept the risk and return profile of the Notes versus a conventional debt security with a comparable maturity issued by HSBC or another issuer with a similar credit rating.

 

4You are comfortable with the creditworthiness of HSBC, as Issuer of the Notes.

 

 

The Notes may not be suitable for you if:

 

4You believe that the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying will be below its Initial Value.

 

4You believe that the Coupon will not provide you with your desired return.

 

4You are unwilling to invest in the Notes based on the fact that your maximum potential return is limited to the Coupons payable on the Notes.

 

4You seek an investment that provides an opportunity to participate in the appreciation of the Underlyings.

 

4You are unwilling to make an investment that is exposed to the potential downside performance of the Underlyings on a 1-to-1 basis if a Trigger Event occurs and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value.

 

4You seek an investment that provides full return of principal at maturity.

 

4You are unable or unwilling to hold Notes that will be automatically called on any Call Observation Date on which the Official Closing Level of each Underlying is at or above its Call Threshold, or you are otherwise unable or unwilling to hold the Notes to maturity.

 

4You prefer to receive the dividends or other distributions paid on the constituents included in the Underlyings.

 

4You seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.

 

4You prefer the lower risk, and therefore accept the potentially lower returns, of conventional debt securities with comparable maturities issued by HSBC or another issuer with a similar credit rating.

 

4You are not willing or are unable to assume the credit risk associated with HSBC, as Issuer of the Notes.

 

 

FWP-8

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

We urge you to read the section “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and page S-1 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement. You should understand the risks of investing in the Notes and should reach an investment decision only after careful consideration, with your advisors, of the suitability of the Notes in light of your particular financial circumstances and the information set forth in this document and the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement and Equity Index Underlying Supplement. In addition to the risks discussed below, you should review “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and Equity Index Underlying Supplement including the explanation of risks relating to the Notes described in the following sections:

 

4“—Risks Relating to All Note Issuances” in the prospectus supplement; and
  
4“—General Risks Related to Indices” in the Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

 

You will be subject to significant risks not associated with conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt securities.

 

The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal and you may lose all of your Principal Amount.

 

The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal. The Notes differ from ordinary debt securities in that we will not pay you 100% of the Principal Amount of your Notes if the Notes are not called prior to maturity, and a Trigger Event occurs on any scheduled trading day during the Observation Period and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value. In such a case, the Payment at Maturity you will be entitled to receive will be less than the Principal Amount and you will lose 1% for each 1% that the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than 0.00%. You may lose up to 100% of your investment at maturity. Even with the Coupons received prior to or at maturity, your return on the Notes may be negative in this case.

 

Your return on the Notes is limited to the Principal Amount plus the Coupons, regardless of any appreciation in the value of any Underlying.

 

For each $1,000 Principal Amount, you will receive $1,000 at maturity plus the final Coupon, regardless of any appreciation in the value of any Underlying, which may be significant. Accordingly, the return on the Notes may be significantly less than the return on a direct investment in the constituents included in the Underlyings during the term of the Notes.

 

Since the Notes are linked to the performance of more than one Underlying, you will be fully exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the value of each Underlying.

 

Since the Notes are linked to the performance of more than one Underlying, the Notes will be linked to the individual performance of each Underlying. Because the Notes are not linked to a basket, in which the risk is mitigated and diversified among all of the components of a basket, you will be exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the value of each Underlying. For example, in the case of notes linked to a basket, the return would depend on the aggregate performance of the basket components reflected as the basket return. Thus, the depreciation of any basket component could be mitigated by the appreciation of another basket component. However, in the case of these Notes, the individual performance of each of the Underlyings would not be combined to calculate your return and the depreciation of either Underlying would not be mitigated by the appreciation of the other Underlying. Instead, your return would depend on the Least Performing Underlying.

 

Because the Notes are linked to the performance of the Least Performing Underlying, you are exposed to greater risks of sustaining a significant loss on your investment than if the Notes were linked to just one Underlying. 

 

The risk that will suffer a significant loss on your investment is greater if you invest in the Notes as opposed to substantially similar securities that are linked to the performance of just one Underlying. With multiple Underlyings, it is more likely that one of the Underlyings will close below its respective Barrier Value on the Final Valuation Date, than if the Notes were linked to only one Underlying. Therefore, it is more likely that you will suffer a significant loss on your investment.

 

The Notes are subject to the credit risk of HSBC USA Inc.

 

The Notes are senior unsecured debt obligations of the Issuer, HSBC, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. As further described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, the Notes will rank on par with all of the other unsecured and unsubordinated debt obligations of HSBC, except such obligations as may be preferred by operation of law. Any payment to be made on the Notes, including any return of principal at maturity, depends on the ability of HSBC to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of HSBC may affect the market value of the Notes and, in the event HSBC were to default on its obligations, you may not receive the amounts owed to you under the terms of the Notes.

 

The Notes are not insured or guaranteed by any governmental agency of the United States or any other jurisdiction.

 

The Notes are not deposit liabilities or other obligations of a bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or program of the United States or any other jurisdiction. An investment in the Notes is subject to the credit risk of HSBC, and in the event that HSBC is unable to pay its obligations as they become due, you may not receive the full payments due on the Notes.

 

FWP-9

 

 

The Notes may be called prior to the Maturity Date.

 

If the Notes are called early, the holding period over which you may receive coupon payments could be as little as approximately 6 months. There is no guarantee that you would be able to reinvest the proceeds from an investment in the Notes at a comparable return for a similar level of risk in the event the Notes are called prior to the Maturity Date.

 

If the Notes are not called, your return will be based on the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying.

 

If the Notes are not called prior to maturity, your return will be based on the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying without regard to the performance of any other Underlying. As a result, you could lose all or some of your initial investment if the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Barrier Value, even if there is an increase in the value of any other Underlying. This could be the case even if any other Underlying increased by an amount greater than the decrease in the Least Performing Underlying.

 

Higher Coupon Rates or lower Barrier Values are generally associated with Underlyings with greater expected volatility and therefore can indicate a greater risk of loss.

 

"Volatility" refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the value of an Underlying. The greater the expected volatility with respect to an Underlying on the Pricing Date, the higher the expectation as of the Pricing Date that the value of that Underlying could close below its Barrier Value on the Final Valuation Date, indicating a higher expected risk of non-payment of Coupons or loss on the Notes. This greater expected risk will generally be reflected in a higher Coupon Rate than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with a similar maturity, or in more favorable terms (such as a lower Barrier Value or a higher Coupon Rate) than for similar securities linked to the performance of an Underlying with a lower expected volatility as of the Pricing Date. You should therefore understand that a relatively higher Coupon Rate may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, a relatively lower Barrier Value may not necessarily indicate that the Notes have a greater likelihood of a repayment of principal at maturity. The volatility of an Underlying can change significantly over the term of the Notes. The value of an Underlying for your Notes could fall sharply, which could result in a significant loss of principal. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Least Performing Underlying and the potential to lose some or all of your principal at maturity.

 

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes, which will be determined by us on the Pricing Date, will be less than the price to public and may differ from the market value of the Notes in the secondary market, if any.

 

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes will be calculated by us on the Pricing Date and will be less than the price to public. The Estimated Initial Value will reflect our internal funding rate, which is the borrowing rate we pay to issue market-linked securities, as well as the mid-market value of the embedded derivatives in the Notes. This internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. As a result of the difference between our internal funding rate and the rate we would use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities, the Estimated Initial Value of the Notes may be lower if it were based on the prices at which our fixed or floating rate debt securities trade in the secondary market. In addition, if we were to use the rate we use for our conventional fixed or floating rate debt issuances, we would expect the economic terms of the Notes to be more favorable to you. We will determine the value of the embedded derivatives in the Notes by reference to our or our affiliates’ internal pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, which can include volatility and interest rates. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide valuations for the Notes that are different from our Estimated Initial Value. These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. The Estimated Initial Value does not represent a minimum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time.

 

The price of your Notes in the secondary market, if any, immediately after the Pricing Date will be less than the price to public.

 

The price to public takes into account certain costs. These costs, which will be used or retained by us or one of our affiliates, include the underwriting discount, our affiliates’ projected hedging profits (which may or may not be realized) for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the Notes, and the costs associated with structuring and hedging our obligations under the Notes. If you were to sell your Notes in the secondary market, if any, the price you would receive for your Notes may be less than the price you paid for them because secondary market prices will not take into account these costs. The price of your Notes in the secondary market, if any, at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors, including the values of the Underlyings and changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments, and you should, therefore, be able and willing to hold the Notes to maturity. Any sale of the Notes prior to maturity could result in a loss to you.

 

If we were to repurchase your Notes immediately after the Original Issue Date, the price you receive may be higher than the Estimated Initial Value of the Notes.

 

Assuming that all relevant factors remain constant after the Original Issue Date, the price at which HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. may initially buy or sell the Notes in the secondary market, if any, and the value that may initially be used for customer account statements, if any, may exceed the Estimated Initial Value on the Pricing Date for a temporary period expected to be approximately 3 months after the Original Issue Date. This temporary price difference may exist because, in our discretion, we may elect to effectively reimburse to investors a portion of the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the Notes and other costs in connection with the Notes that we will no longer expect to incur over the term of the Notes. We will make such discretionary election and determine this temporary

 

FWP-10

 

 

reimbursement period on the basis of a number of factors, including the tenor of the Notes and any agreement we may have with the distributors of the Notes. The amount of our estimated costs which we effectively reimburse to investors in this way may not be allocated ratably throughout the reimbursement period, and we may discontinue such reimbursement at any time or revise the duration of the reimbursement period after the Original Issue Date of the Notes based on changes in market conditions and other factors that cannot be predicted.

 

Changes that affect an Underlying may affect the value of that Underlying and the market value of the Notes and the amount you will receive on the Notes and the amount you will receive at maturity.

 

The policies of the reference sponsor of an Underlying, concerning additions, deletions and substitutions of the constituents included in that Underlying and the manner in which the reference sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting those constituents may affect the value of that Underlying. The policies of the reference sponsor could also affect the value of that Underlying. The reference sponsor may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of an Underlying. Any such actions could affect the value of an Underlying and the value of and the return on the Notes.

 

You will not have any ownership interest in the constituents included in an Underlying.

 

As a holder of the Notes, you will not have any ownership interest in the constituents included in an Underlying, such as rights to vote, dividend payments or other distributions. Because the return on the Notes will not reflect any dividends on those constituents, the Notes may underperform an investment in the constituents included in an Underlying.

 

The Notes lack liquidity.

 

The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. is not required to offer to purchase the Notes in the secondary market, if any exists. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Notes easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the Notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your Notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. is willing to buy the Notes.

 

Potential conflicts of interest may exist.

 

An affiliate of HSBC has a minority equity interest in the owner of an electronic platform, through which we may make available certain structured investments offering materials. HSBC and its affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the Notes, including acting as calculation agent and hedging our obligations under the Notes. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the Notes. We will not have any obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the Notes in taking any action that might affect the value of your Notes.

 

Uncertain tax treatment.

 

For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in a Note, please see the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” herein and the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

Small-capitalization risk. 

 

The RTY tracks companies that are considered small-capitalization. These companies often have greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalization companies and therefore the level of the RTY may be more volatile than an investment in stocks issued by large-capitalization companies. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than those of large-capitalization companies to adverse business and economic developments, and the stocks of small-capitalization companies may be thinly traded, making it difficult for the RTY to track them. In addition, small-capitalization companies are typically less stable financially than large-capitalization companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of personnel. Small-capitalization companies are often subject to less analyst coverage and may be in early, and less predictable, periods of their corporate existences. Such companies tend to have smaller revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources and less competitive strengths than large-capitalization companies and are more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products.

 

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ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

 

The following table and examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are hypothetical. They do not purport to be representative of every possible scenario concerning increases or decreases in the value of any Underlying relative to its Initial Value. We cannot predict the Official Closing Level of an Underlying on any Observation Date, including the Final Valuation Date. The assumptions we have made in connection with the illustrations set forth below may not reflect actual events. You should not take this illustration or these examples as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of the Underlyings or the return on the Notes.

 

The table and examples below illustrate how the Coupon and the Payment at Maturity would be calculated with respect to a $1,000 investment in the Notes, given a range of hypothetical performances of any Underlying. The hypothetical returns on the Notes below are numbers, expressed as percentages, that result from comparing the Payment at Maturity per $1,000 Principal Amount to $1,000. You should consider carefully whether the Notes are suitable to your investment goals. The numbers appearing in the following table and examples have been rounded for ease of analysis. The following table and examples assume the following:

 

4  Principal Amount: $1,000
4  Hypothetical Initial Value 1,000.00*
4  Hypothetical Call Threshold 1,000.00 (100.00% of the Initial Value)
4  Hypothetical Barrier Value: 700.00 (70.00% of the Initial Value)
4  Hypothetical Coupon Rate: 5.75% per annum (approximately 0.4792% for each month in which it is payable). The actual Coupon Rate will be at least 5.75% per annum and will be determined on the Pricing Date. If the Notes are not called, the Coupons paid over the term of the Notes would total $71.875 per $1,000 Principal Amount.

* The hypothetical Initial Value of 1,000.00 used in the examples below has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual Initial Value of any Underlying. The actual Initial Value of each Underlying will be determined on the Pricing Date and set forth in the final pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates.

 

Summary of the Examples

  Notes Are Called on a
Call Observation Date		 Notes Are Not Called on Any
Call Observation Date
A Trigger Event
Does Not Occur		 A Trigger Event Occurs
Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4
Initial Value of each Underlying 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00
Call Threshold of each Underlying 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00
Barrier Value of each Underlying 700.00 700.00 700.00 700.00
Official Closing Level / Percentage Change of
the Least Performing Underlying on the		        
First Call Observation Date 735.00 / -26.50% 749.00 / -25.10% 735.00 / -26.50% 630.00 / -37.00%
Second Call Observation Date 1,200.00 / 20.00% 735.00 / -26.50% 630.00 / -37.00% 560.00 / -44.00%
Third Call Observation Date to the last Call
Observation Date immediately prior to the
Final Valuation Date		 N/A Various above
700.00 / -30.00%		 Various Various
Final Valuation Date N/A 721.00 / -27.90% 750.00 / 110.00% 490.00 / -51.00%
Coupon Payment Amounts Prior to
Maturity or Call		 1 x $4.792 = $4.792 14 x $4.792 = $67.083 14 x $4.792 = $67.083 14 x $4.792 = $67.083
Payment if Notes are Called $1,004.792 N/A N/A N/A
Payment at Maturity N/A $1,004.792 $1,004.792 $1,000 + $4.792 + ($1,000 x
-51.00%) = $494.79
Return of the Notes 0.958% 7.188% 7.188% -43.8127%

 

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Example 1—The Official Closing Level of each Underlying on the second Call Observation Date is greater than or equal to its Call Threshold.

 

Underlying   Initial Value   Official Closing Level
RTY   1,000.00   1,250.00 (125.00% of Initial Value)
SPX   1,000.00   1,200.00 (20.00% of Initial Value)

 

   
Payment Upon a Call: $1,004.792

 

Because the Official Closing Level of each Underlying on the second Call Observation Date is at or above its Call Threshold, the Notes will be called and you will receive $1,004.792 per Note, reflecting the Principal Amount plus the Coupon. When added to the Coupon payment of $4.792 received in respect of the first Observation Date, we will have paid you a total of $1,009.583 per Note, resulting in a 0.958% return on the Notes. No extra payment will be made on account of each Underlying closing above its respective Initial Value.

 

Example 2— The Notes are not called, a Trigger Event does not occur, the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Barrier Value, and each Underlying closed below its Call Threshold on the first two Observation Dates prior to the Final Valuation Date.

 

 

 

Underlying   Initial Value   Final Value
RTY   1,000.00   1,150.00 (115.00%of Initial Value)
SPX   1,000.00   721.00 (72.10% of Initial Value)

 

SPX is the Least Performing Underlying.

 

   
Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying: -27.90%
Payment at Maturity: $1,004.792

 

Because a Trigger Event does not occur, you will receive $1,004.792 per Note, reflecting the Principal Amount plus the final Coupon.

 

When added to the Coupon payments of $1,067.083 received prior to maturity, we will have paid you a total of $1,071.875 per Note, resulting in a 7.188% return on the Notes.

 

FWP-13

 

 

Example 3— The Notes are not called and a Trigger Event does occur during the Observation Period. However, on the Final Valuation Date, the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is above its Initial Value.

 

Underlying   Initial Value   Final Value
RTY   1,000.00   1,150.00 (115.00%of Initial Value)
SPX   1,000.00   750.00 (110.00%of Initial Value)

 

SPX is the Least Performing Underlying.

 

   
Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying: 110.00%
Payment at Maturity: $1,004.792

 

Even though a Trigger Event occurs, because the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is equal to or greater than its Initial Value, you will receive $1,004.792 per $1,000 in Principal Amount, reflecting the Principal Amount plus the final Coupon.

 

When added to the Coupon payments of $1,067.083 received prior to maturity, we will have paid you a total of $1,071.875 per Note, resulting in a 7.188% return on the Notes.

 

Example 4—The Notes are not called, a Trigger Event does occur, and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is below its Initial Value.

 

Underlying   Initial Value   Final Value
RTY   1,000.00   1,100.00 (110.00% of Initial Value)
SPX   1,000.00   490.00 (490.00 of Initial Value)

 

SPX is the Least Performing Underlying.

 

   
Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying: -51.00%
Payment at Maturity: $494.79

 

Because a Trigger Event occurs and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value, you will receive $494.79 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

Final Settlement Value = $1,000 + $4.792 + ($1,000 x -51.00%) = $494.79

 

When added to the Coupon payments of $1,067.083 received prior to maturity, we will pay you a total of $561.88, resulting in a -43.8127% return on the Notes.

 

If the Notes are not called, a Trigger Event occurs, and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value, you will be exposed to any decrease in the level of the Least Performing Underlying on a 1:1 basis and could lose up to 100% of your principal at maturity.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERNCE ASSET

 

Description of the RTY

 

The RTY is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the United States equity market. All 2,000 stocks are traded on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq, and the RTY consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 3000® Index is composed of the 3,000 largest United States companies as determined by market capitalization and represents approximately 98% of the United States equity market.

 

The top 5 industry groups by market capitalization as of January 31, 2020 were: Financial Services, Health Care, Producer Durables, Consumer Discretionary, and Technology.

 

For more information about the RTY, see “The Russell 2000® Index” beginning on page S-37 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

Historical Performance of the RTY

 

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the RTY based on the daily historical closing values from February 1, 2010 through February 28, 2020. We obtained the closing values below from the Bloomberg Professional® service. We have not undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, the information obtained from the Bloomberg Professional® service.

 

 

The historical values of the RTY should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Official Closing Level of the RTY on any Observation Date, including the Final Valuation Date.

 

 

Description of the SPX

 

The SPX is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 U.S. stocks. It is designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.

 

The top 5 industry groups by market capitalization as of February 28, 2020 were: Information Technology, Health Care, Financials, Communication Services and Consumer Discretionary.

 

For more information about the SPX, see “The S&P 500® Index” beginning on page S-43 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

Historical Performance of the SPX

 

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the SPX based on the daily historical closing values from February 1, 2010 through February 28, 2020. We obtained the closing values below from the Bloomberg Professional® service. We have not undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, the information obtained from the Bloomberg Professional® service.

 

 

 

The historical values of the SPX should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Official Closing Level of the SPX on any Observation Date, including the Final Valuation Date.

 

FWP-15

 

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION

 

If the Notes have become immediately due and payable following an Event of Default (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) with respect to the Notes, the calculation agent will determine the accelerated payment due and payable in the same general manner as described in this document except that in such a case, the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the date of acceleration will be used as the Final Valuation Date for purposes of determining the Reference Return of an Underlying, and the accelerated Maturity Date will be three business days after the accelerated Final Valuation Date. If a Market Disruption Event exists with respect to an Underlying on that scheduled trading day, then the accelerated Final Valuation Date for that Underlying will be postponed for up to five scheduled trading days (in the same manner used for postponing the originally scheduled Final Valuation Date). The accelerated Maturity Date will also be postponed by an equal number of business days following the postponed accelerated Final Valuation Date. For the avoidance of doubt, if no Market Disruption Event exists with respect to an Underlying on the scheduled trading day preceding the date of acceleration, the determination of such Underlying’s Final Value will be made on such date, irrespective of the existence of a market disruption event with respect to any other Underlying occurring on such date.

 

If the Notes have become immediately due and payable following an Event of Default, you will not be entitled to any additional payments with respect to the Notes. For more information, see “Description of Debt Securities — Senior Debt Securities — Events of Default” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

 

We have appointed HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of HSBC, as the agent for the sale of the Notes. Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will purchase the Notes from HSBC at the price to public less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of the pricing supplement to which this document relates, for distribution to other registered broker-dealers or will offer the Notes directly to investors. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. proposes to offer the Notes at the price to public set forth on the cover page of this document. HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay varying underwriting discounts of up to 0.375% and referral fees of up to 0.75% per $1,000 Principal Amount in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers. In no case will the sum of the underwriting discounts and referral fees exceed 0.75% per $1,000 Principal Amount. .

 

An affiliate of HSBC has paid or may pay in the future an amount to broker-dealers in connection with the costs of the continuing implementation of systems to support the Notes.

 

In addition, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of its affiliates or agents may use the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates in market-making transactions after the initial sale of the Notes, but is under no obligation to make a market in the Notes and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice.

 

See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page S-61 in the prospectus supplement

 

We expect that delivery of the Notes will be made against payment for the Notes on or about the Original Issue Date set forth on the inside cover page of this document, which is more than two business days following the Trade Date. Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to that trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes more than two business days prior to the Original Issue Date will be required to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement, and should consult their own advisors.

 

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

There is no direct legal authority as to the proper tax treatment of the Notes, and therefore significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Notes are uncertain as to both the timing and character of any inclusion in income in respect of the Notes. Under one approach, each Note should be treated as a put option written by you (the “Put Option”) that permits us to “cash settle” the Put Option, and a deposit with us of cash in an amount equal to the Principal Amount of the Note (the “Deposit”) to secure your potential obligation under the Put Option, as described in the accompanying prospectus supplement under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Treatment of U.S. Holders — Certain Notes Treated as a Put Option and a Deposit or an Executory Contract — Certain Notes Treated as a Put Option and a Deposit.”  We intend to treat the Notes consistent with this approach, and we intend to treat the Deposits as non-contingent debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, you agree to treat each Note as consisting of the Deposit and the Put Option for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subject to the limitations described therein, and based on certain factual representations received from us, in the opinion of our special U.S. tax counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, it is reasonable to treat a Note as consisting of the Deposit and the Put Option for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. Because there are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of securities with terms that are substantially the same as those of the Notes, other characterizations and treatments are possible and the timing and character of income in respect of the Notes might differ from the treatment described above. We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding the tax treatment of the Notes, and the IRS or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described herein.

 

FWP-16

 

 

We will not attempt to ascertain whether any of the entities whose stock is included in an Underlying would be treated as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) or United States real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”), both as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If one or more of the entities whose stock is included in an Underlying were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply. You should refer to information filed with the SEC and other authorities by the entities whose stock is included in an Underlying and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you if one or more of the entities whose stock is included in an Underlying is or becomes a PFIC or a USRPHC.

 

U.S. Holders. Please see the discussion under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Treatment of U.S. Holders — Certain Notes Treated as a Put Option and a Deposit or an Executory Contract — Certain Notes Treated as a Put Option and a Deposit” in the accompanying prospectus supplement for further discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. holders (as defined in the accompanying prospectus supplement). For purposes of dividing the Annual Coupon Rate of at least 5.75% (to be determined on the Pricing Date) on the Notes among interest on the Deposit and Put Premium, [·]% constitutes interest on the Deposit and [·]% constitutes Put Premium.

 

If the Notes are redeemed prior to maturity, you should recognize the total Put Premium received as short-term capital gain at that time.

 

Non-U.S. Holders. Please see the discussion under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders” in the accompanying prospectus supplement for further discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to non-U.S. holders (as defined in the accompanying prospectus supplement). Because the U.S. federal income tax treatment (including the applicability of withholding) of the coupon payments on the Notes is uncertain, the entire amount of the coupon payment will be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty). We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding.

 

Under current law, while the matter is not entirely clear, individual non-U.S. holders, and entities whose property is potentially includible in those individuals’ gross estates for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, the Notes are likely to be treated as U.S. situs property, subject to U.S. federal estate tax. These individuals and entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in the Notes.

 

A “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, IRS guidance provides that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2023. Based on the Issuer’s determination that the Notes are not “delta-one” instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Underlyings or the Notes, and following such occurrence the Notes could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S. holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the Underlyings or the Notes should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the Notes and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.

 

PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF NOTES.

 

FWP-17

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    

 

 

You should only rely on the information contained in this free writing prospectus, the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information or to make any representation to you that is not contained in this free writing prospectus, the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This free writing prospectus, the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these Notes, and these documents are not soliciting an offer to buy these Notes, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not, under any circumstances, assume that the information in this free writing prospectus, the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is correct on any date after their respective dates.

 

 

 

HSBC USA Inc.

 

 

$   
Autocallable Contingent Income
Barrier Notes Linked to the Least
Performing of the Russell 2000®
 Index and the S&P 500® Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 3, 2020

 

 

 

Free Writing Prospectus

 

 

Free Writing Prospectus    
General FWP-6  
Payment on the Notes FWP-7  
Investor Suitability FWP-8  
Risk Factors FWP-9  
Illustrative Examples FWP-12  
Description of the Reference Asset FWP-15  
Events of Default and Acceleration FWP-16  
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) FWP-16  
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations FWP-16  
     
Equity Index Underlying Supplement    
Disclaimer i  
Risk Factors S-1  
The DAX® Index S-8  
The Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM S-10  
The EURO STOXX 50® Index S-12  
The FTSE® 100 Index S-14  
The Hang Seng® Index S-15  
The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index S-17  
The KOSPI 200 Index S-20  
The MSCI Indices S-23  
The NASDAQ 100 Index® S-27  
The Nikkei 225 Index S-31  
The PHLX Housing SectorSM Index S-33  
The Russell 2000® Index S-37  
The S&P 100® Index S-40  
The S&P 500® Index S-43  
The S&P 500® Low Volatility Index S-46  
The S&P BRIC 40 Index S-49  
The S&P MidCap 400® Index S-51  
The TOPIX® Index S-54  
Additional Terms of the Notes S-56  
     
Prospectus Supplement    
Risk Factors S-1  
Pricing Supplement S-10  
Description of Notes S-12  
Use of Proceeds and Hedging S-36  
Certain ERISA Considerations S-37  
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations S-39  
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) S-61  

 

Prospectus

    
About this Prospectus 1  
Risk Factors 2  
Where You Can Find More Information 3  
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 4  
HSBC USA Inc. 7  
Use of Proceeds 8  
Description of Debt Securities 9  
Description of Preferred Stock 20  
Description of Warrants 25  
Description of Purchase Contracts 30  
Description of Units 33  
Book-Entry Procedures 36  
Limitations on Issuances in Bearer Form 40  
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to Debt Securities 41  
Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) 49  
Notice to Canadian Investors 52  
Notice to EEA Investors 53  
Notice to UK Investors 54  
UK Financial Promotion 54  
Certain ERISA Matters 55  
Legal Opinions 57  
Experts 58