FWP 1 tm245923d8_fwp.htm FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration No. 333-253385

February 12, 2024

FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

(To Prospectus dated February 23, 2021,

Prospectus Supplement dated February 23, 2021 and

Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated February 23, 2021)

 

 

Linked to the Least Performing of the STOXX® Europe 600 Index and the EURO STOXX 50® Index (the "Reference Asset")

 

[2.60x to 2.75x] (to be determined on the Trade Date) uncapped exposure to any positive return of the Least Performing Underlying

 

Contingent repayment of principal if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage of -25.00%

 

1x exposure to any negative Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying if its Reference Return is less than -25.00%

 

Term: Approximately 5 years

 

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

 

The Barrier Uncapped Market Participation Securities (each a “Note” and collectively the “Notes”) offered hereunder will not be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. The Notes will not bear interest.

 

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 document 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 document relates is being used in a market-making transaction. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page FWP-18 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 Trade Date is expected to be between $900.00 and $950.00 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-5 and “Risk Factors” beginning on page FWP-9 of this document for additional information.

 

  Price to Public Underwriting Discount(1) Proceeds to Issuer
Per Note $1,000.00    
Total      

(1) HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay varying underwriting discounts of up to 3.50% per $1,000 Principal Amount in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page FWP-18 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 5 years
Reference Asset The STOXX® Europe 600 Index (Ticker: SXXP) and the EURO STOXX 50® Index (Ticker: SX5E) (each, an “Underlying” and together the “Underlyings”).
Upside Participation Rate [260.00%-275.00%] ([2.60x to 2.75x]) exposure to any positive Reference Return (to be determined on the Trade Date)

Barrier Percentage

-25%
Reference Return

With respect to each Underlying:

Final Value – Initial Value

Initial Value

Least Performing Underlying

The Underlying with the lowest Reference Return.

Payment at Maturity per Note

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is positive:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying × Upside Participation Rate).

 

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than or equal to zero but greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage:

 

$1,000 (zero return).

 

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will receive:

 

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

 

For example, if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is -60.00%, you will incur a 60% loss and receive 40% of the Principal Amount.

 

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will lose some or all of your investment. All payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of HSBC.

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.
Pricing Date February 26, 2024
Trade Date February 26, 2024
Original Issue Date February 29, 2024
Final Valuation Date (2) February 23, 2029
Maturity Date (2) February 28, 2029
CUSIP/ISIN 40447AB60 / US40447AB607

 

The Notes

 

These Barrier Uncapped Market Participation Securities may be suitable for investors who believe that the value of the Underlyings will increase over the term of the Notes. If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than the Barrier Percentage, but less than its Initial Value, the Notes will provide a return of principal.

 

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying appreciates over the term of the Notes, you will realize [260.00%-275.00%] ([2.60x to 2.75x]) (to be determined on the Trade Date) of the percentage increase of the Least Performing Underlying.

 

If the Reference Return of either Underlying declines by more than 25.00%, you will lose 1% of your investment for every 1% decline of the Least Performing Underlying from its Initial Value.

 

 

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(1)  As more fully described starting on page FWP-5.
(2)  Subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

 

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Payoff Example

 

The table at right shows the hypothetical payout profile of an investment in the Notes assuming an Upside Participation Rate of 260.00% (to be determined on the Trade Date) and reflecting the Barrier Percentage of -25.00%. The left hand column shows the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying.  

 

Information about the Reference Asset

 

The STOXX® Europe 600 Index ("SXXP”) is a free float capitalization-weighted index of 600 stocks. The SXXP is designed to provide a broad yet investable representation of the largest (by free float market capitalization) companies of 17 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) and contains a fixed number of 600 components with a weighting cap of 20%.

 
     
The EURO STOXX 50® Index ("SX5E") was created by STOXX, which is owned by Deutsche Börse AG. The SX5E is composed of 50 stocks from 9 Eurozone countries (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain) and represents the largest STOXX Supersector leaders in the Eurozone in terms of free-float market capitalization. The SX5E aims to include the 50 Supersector leaders from the EURO STOXX Index by selecting stocks from each of the 20 EURO STOXX Supersectors indices. The 20 STOXX Supersectors are: automobiles and parts; banks; basic resources; chemicals; construction and materials; consumer products and services; energy; financial services; food, beverage and tobacco; health care; industrial goods and services; insurance; media; personal care, drug and grocery stores; real estate; retail; technology; telecommunications; travel and leisure; and utilities.  

 

The graphs above illustrate the daily performance of each Underlying from February 11, 2014 through February 9, 2024. The closing values in the graphs above were obtained from the Bloomberg Professional® Service. Past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

 

For further information on each Underlying, please see “Description of the Reference Asset” beginning on page FWP-14 of this document. We have derived all disclosure regarding each Underlying 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 each Underlying.

 

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HSBC USA Inc.

Barrier Uncapped Market Participation Securities

 

Linked to the Least Performing of the STOXX® Europe 600 Index and the EURO STOXX 50® Index

 

This document relates to a single offering of Barrier Uncapped Market Participation Securities. 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 performance of 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 STOXX® Europe 600 Index (Ticker: SXXP) and the EURO STOXX 50® Index (Ticker: SX5E) (each, an “Underlying” and together the “Underlyings”).
Trade Date: February 26, 2024
Pricing Date: February 26, 2024
Original Issue Date: February 29, 2024
Final Valuation Date: February 23, 2029, 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, which is expected to be February 28, 2029. 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.
Upside Participation Rate: [260.00%-275.00%] ([2.60x to 2.75x]) (to be determined on the Trade Date)
Least Performing Underlying: The Underlying with the lowest Reference Return.
Payment at Maturity: On the Maturity Date, for each Note, we will pay you the Final Settlement Value.
Reference Return:

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

Final Value – Initial Value

Initial Value

Final Settlement Value:

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is positive, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying × Upside Participation Rate).

 

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than or equal to zero but greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage, you will receive $1,000 per $1,000 Principal Amount (zero return).

 

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

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

 

Under these circumstances, you will lose 1% of the Principal Amount for each percentage point that the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying has decreased from its Initial Value. If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will lose up to 100% of your investment.

 

For example, if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is -60.00%, you will incur a 60% loss and receive 40% of the Principal Amount, subject to the credit risk of the Issuer.

Barrier Percentage: -25.00%
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.
Form of Notes: Book-Entry
Listing: The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quotation system.
CUSIP/ISIN:  40447AB60 / US40447AB607
Estimated Initial Value: The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes is expected to 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 Trade 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 Trade Date, is expected to be less than the price to public and may differ from the market value of the Notes in the secondary market, if any."

 

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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.

 

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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 the Reference Asset 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 23, 2021, the prospectus supplement dated February 23, 2021, and the Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated February 23, 2021. 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 website 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:

 

4   The Equity Index Underlying Supplement at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000110465921026625/tm217170d5_424b2.htm

 

4   The prospectus supplement at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000110465921026609/tm217170d2_424b2.htm

 

4   The prospectus at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000110465921026585/tm217170d7_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.

 

PAYMENT AT MATURITY

 

On the Maturity Date, for each Note you hold, we will pay you the Final Settlement Value, which is an amount in cash, as described below:

 

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is positive, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying × Upside Participation Rate*).

 

*To be determined on the Trade Date and will be between 260.00% to 275.00%.

 

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than or equal to zero but greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage, you will receive $1,000 per $1,000 Principal Amount (zero return).

 

If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

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

 

Under these circumstances, you will lose 1% of the Principal Amount of your Notes for each percentage point that the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is below the Barrier Percentage. For example, if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is -60.00%, you will suffer a 60% loss and receive 40% of the Principal Amount, subject to the credit risk of HSBC. If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will lose some or all of your investment.

 

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Interest

 

The Notes will not pay interest.

 

Calculation Agent

 

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

 

Reference Sponsor

 

The reference sponsor of the SXXP and the SX5E is STOXX Ltd.

 

INVESTOR SUITABILITY

 

The Notes may be suitable for you if:   The Notes may not be suitable for you if:
     

4   You seek an investment with an enhanced return linked to the Least Performing Underlying and you believe the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying will be above the Barrier Percentage.

 

4   You are willing to make an investment that is exposed to any negative Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying on a 1-to-1 basis if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the Barrier Percentage.

 

4   You understand and accept that your investment may not provide full return of principal.

 

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

 

4   You do not seek current income from your investment.

 

4   You are willing to hold the Notes to maturity.

 

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

 

4   You 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.

 

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

 

 

4   You believe that the Reference Return of at least one Underlying will be less than the Barrier Percentage or that the Reference Return will not be sufficiently positive to provide you with your desired return.

 

4   You are unwilling to make an investment that is exposed to any negative Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying on a 1-to-1 basis if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the Barrier Percentage.

 

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

 

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

 

4   You seek current income from your investment.

 

4   You are unable or unwilling to hold the Notes to maturity.

 

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

 

4   You 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.

 

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

 

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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;

 

4“—General Risks Related to Indices” in the Equity Index Underlying Supplement;

 

4“— Securities Prices Generally Are Subject to Political, Economic, Financial, and Social Factors that Apply to the Markets in which They Trade and, to a Lesser Extent, Foreign Markets” in the Equity Index Underlying Supplement; and

 

4“— Time Differences Between the Domestic and Foreign Markets and New York City May Create Discrepancies in the Trading Level or Price of the Notes” in the Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

 

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

 

Risks Relating to the Structure or Features of the Notes

 

Your investment in the Notes may result in a loss.

 

You will be fully exposed to the decline in the Final Value from the Initial Value if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is beyond the Barrier Percentage of -25.00%. Accordingly, if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than -25.00%, your Payment at Maturity will be less than the Principal Amount of your Notes. You may lose up to 100% of your investment at maturity if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is negative.

 

The amount payable on the Notes is not linked to the values of the Underlyings at any time other than on the Final Valuation Date.

 

The Final Values of the Underlyings will be based on the Official Closing Levels of the Underlyings on the Final Valuation Date, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain Market Disruption Events. Even if the value of the Least Performing Underlying appreciates during the term of the Notes other than on the Final Valuation Date but then decreases on the Final Valuation Date, the Payment at Maturity may be less, and may be significantly less, than it would have been had the Payment at Maturity been linked to the value of the Least Performing Underlying prior to such decrease. Although the actual values of the Underlyings on the Maturity Date or at other times during the term of the Notes may be higher than their respective Final Values, the Payment at Maturity will be based solely on the Official Closing Levels of the Underlyings on the Final Valuation Date.

 

The Notes will not bear interest.

 

As a holder of the Notes, you will not receive interest payments.

 

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 weighted 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 values of the Underlyings to the same degree for each Underlying. For example, in the case of securities linked to a weighted basket, the return would depend on the weighted 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, as scaled by the weightings of such basket components. 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 of the Underlyings would not be mitigated by the appreciation of the other Underlying. Instead, your return would depend on the Least Performing Underlying.

 

Risks Relating to the Reference Asset

 

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

 

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The policies of the reference sponsor of an Underlying concerning additions, deletions and substitutions of the stocks included in an Underlying, and the manner in which the reference sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting those stocks, may affect the value of an Underlying. The policies of the reference sponsor with respect to the calculation of an Underlying could also affect the value of an 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.

 

Risks associated with non-U.S. companies.

 

The levels of the SXXP and the SX5E depends upon the stocks of non-U.S. companies, and thus involves risks associated with the home countries of those non-U.S. companies. The prices of these non-U.S. stocks may be affected by political, economic, financial and social factors in the home country of each applicable company, including changes in that country’s government, economic and fiscal policies, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions, which could affect the value of the Notes. These foreign securities may have less liquidity and could be more volatile than many of the securities traded in U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize the relevant foreign securities markets, as well as cross shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading levels or prices and volumes in those markets. The other special risks associated with foreign securities may include, but are not limited to: less liquidity and smaller market capitalizations; less rigorous regulation of securities markets; different accounting and disclosure standards; governmental interference; currency fluctuations; higher inflation; and social, economic and political uncertainties. These factors may adversely affect the performance of the SXXP and the SX5E and, as a result, the value of the Notes.

 

The Notes will not be adjusted for changes in exchange rates.

 

Although the equity securities included in the SXXP and the SX5E are traded in currencies other than U.S. dollars, and your Notes are denominated in U.S. dollars, the amount payable on your Notes at maturity, if any, will not be adjusted for changes in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which these non-U.S. equity securities are denominated. Changes in exchange rates, however, may also reflect changes in the applicable non-U.S. economies that in turn may affect the values of the SXXP and the SX5E and therefore your Notes. The amount we pay in respect of your Notes on the maturity date, if any, will be determined solely in accordance with the procedures described in this document.

 

General Risk Factors

 

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.

 

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes, which will be determined by us on the Trade Date, is expected to 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 Trade Date and is expected to be less than the price to public. The Estimated Initial Value will reflect our and our affiliates’ internal funding rate, which is the borrowing rate paid 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 Trade Date is expected to be less than the price to public.

 

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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 our affiliates’ projected hedging profits (which may or may not be realized) for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the Notes, the underwriting discount 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 Trade Date for a temporary period expected to be approximately 6 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 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.

 

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

 

As a holder of the Notes, you will not have any ownership interest in the stocks 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 stocks, the Notes may underperform an investment in the stocks included in an Underlying.

 

The Notes lack liquidity.

 

The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. 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.

 

FWP-11

 

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 Final Value of an Underlying. The assumptions we have made in connection with the illustrations set forth below may not reflect actual events, and the hypothetical Initial Value used in the table and examples below is not expected to be the actual Initial Value of any Underlying. 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 your Notes. The Final Settlement Value may be less than the amount that you would have received from a conventional debt security with the same stated maturity, including such a security issued by HSBC. The numbers appearing in the table below and following examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.

 

The table below illustrates the Payment at Maturity on a $1,000 investment in the Notes for a hypothetical range of Reference Returns of the Least Performing Underlying from -100% to +100%. The following results are based solely on the assumptions outlined below. The “Hypothetical Return on the Notes” as used below is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the Final Settlement Value per $1,000 Principal Amount to $1,000. The potential returns described here assume that your Notes are held to maturity. You should consider carefully whether the Notes are suitable to your investment goals. The following table and examples assume the following:

 

4  Principal Amount: $1,000
4  Hypothetical Initial Value for each Underlying: 1,000.00
4  Hypothetical Upside Participation Rate*: 260.00%
4  Barrier Percentage: -25%

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 for each Underlying will be determined on the Pricing Date.

 

*  To be determined on the Trade Date and will not be less than 260.00%.

 

Hypothetical

Final Value of the
Least Performing
Underlying

Hypothetical

Reference Return of
the Least Performing
Underlying

Hypothetical

Payment at Maturity

Hypothetical

Return on the Notes

 2,000.00 100.00% $3,600.000 260.0000%
 1,800.00 80.00% $3,080.000 208.0000%
 1,600.00 60.00% $2,560.000 156.0000%
 1,400.00 40.00% $2,040.000 104.0000%
 1,300.00 30.00% $1,780.000 78.0000%
 1,200.00 20.00% $1,520.000 52.0000%
 1,150.00 15.00% $1,390.000 39.0000%
 1,125.00 12.50% $1,325.000 32.5000%
 1,100.00 10.00% $1,260.000 26.0000%
 1,050.00 5.00% $1,130.000 13.0000%
 1,020.00 2.00% $1,052.000 5.2000%
 1,010.00 1.00% $1,026.000 2.6000%
 1,000.00 0.00% $1,000.000 0.0000%
 950.00 -5.00% $1,000.000 0.0000%
 900.00 -10.00% $1,000.000 0.0000%
 875.00 -12.50% $1,000.000 0.0000%
 850.00 -15.00% $1,000.000 0.0000%
 800.00 -20.00% $1,000.000 0.0000%
 750.00 -25.00% $1,000.000 0.0000%
 625.00 -37.50% $625.000 -37.5000%
 600.00 -40.00% $600.000 -40.0000%
 450.00 -55.00% $450.000 -55.0000%
 300.00 -70.00% $300.000 -70.0000%
 150.00 -85.00% $150.000 -85.0000%
 0.00 -100.00% $0.000 -100.0000%


 

FWP-12

 

The following examples indicate how the Final Settlement Value would be calculated with respect to a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the Notes.

 

Example 1: The Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is positive.

 

       
Underlying Initial Value Final Value Reference Return
SXXP 1,000.00 1,150.00 (115% of its Initial Value) 15.00%
SX5E 1,000.00 1,125.00 (112.50% of its Initial Value) 12.50%

 

SX5E is the Least Performing Underlying, with a Reference Return of 12.50%. Because the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is positive, the Final Settlement Value would be $1,325.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying × Upside Participation Rate)

= $1,000 + ($1,000 × 12.50% × 260.00%)

= $1,325.00

 

Example 1 shows that you will receive the return of your principal investment plus a return equal to the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying multiplied by the hypothetical Upside Participation Rate when the Least Performing Underlying appreciates.

 

 

Example 2: The Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than or equal to zero but greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage.

 

       
Underlying Initial Value Final Value Reference Return
SXXP 1,000.00 875.00 (87.50% of its Initial Value) -12.50%
SX5E 1,000.00 900.00 (90% of its Initial Value) -10.00%

 

SXXP is the Least Performing Underlying, with a Reference return of -12.50%. Because the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than zero but greater than -25%, the Final Settlement Value would be $1,000.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount (a zero return).

 

Example 2 shows that if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is negative or zero, the Notes will provide a return of principal as long as the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage.

 

 

Example 3: The Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the Barrier Percentage.

 

       
Underlying Initial Value Final Value Reference Return
SXXP 1,000.00 625.00 (62.50% of its Initial Value) -37.50%
SX5E 1,000.00 750.00 (75% of its Initial Value) -25.00%

 

SXXP is the Least Performing Underlying, with a Reference Return of -37.50%. Because the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than -25%, the Final Settlement Value would be $625.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

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

= $1,000 + ($1,000 × -37.50%)

= $625.00

 

Example 3 shows that you are fully exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to declines in the value of the Least Performing Underlying if its Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage. YOU MAY LOSE UP TO 100% OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF YOUR NOTES.

 


FWP-13

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE ASSET

 

Description of the SXXP

 

The STOXX® Europe 600 Index ("SXXP”) is a free float capitalization-weighted index of 600 stocks. The SXXP is designed to provide a broad yet investable representation of the largest (by free float market capitalization) companies of 17 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) and contains a fixed number of 600 components with a weighting cap of 20%. The level of the SXXP is disseminated on the STOXX Limited website. We are not incorporating by reference the STOXX Limited website or any material it includes in this pricing supplement. STOXX Limited is under no obligation to continue to publish the SXXP and may discontinue publication of the SXXP at any time.

 

Component Selection

 

The composition of the SXXP is reviewed by STOXX Limited quarterly and changes are typically implemented on the third Friday of every March, June, September and December, with effect on the next trading day. If the third Friday of the relevant month is not a trading day, then the implementation occurs on the next trading day, with effect on the following trading day. In connection with the quarterly review, the eligible stocks in the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index are ranked in terms of free float market capitalization to produce the selection list for the SXXP. The STOXX® Europe Total Market Index consists of the top 95% (subject to applicable buffer rules) by free-float market capitalization of the total equity having a country assignment in one of the 17 countries listed above (based on the country of incorporation, the primary listing and the country with the largest trading volume).

 

The selection list for the SXXP is updated and published on a monthly basis according to the review component selection process in case a replacement is needed for a deletion. To create the selection list for the SXXP, for each company having more than one eligible class of stock, only the most liquid class is eligible, and a liquidity screen of a 3-month average daily trading volume of greater than one million Euros is applied to the eligible stocks. The eligible stocks remaining after application of the liquidity screen are ranked by their free float market capitalizations.

 

At the quarterly review, the largest 550 stocks on the selection list qualify for selection for the SXXP. The remaining 50 stocks for the SXXP are selected from the current components ranked between 551 and 750 that meet all of the criteria (including the liquidity screen). If the number of stocks selected is still below 600, the largest (by free float market capitalization) stocks on the selection list are selected until there are 600 stocks.

 

Ongoing Maintenance

 

The component stocks of the SXXP are monitored on an ongoing monthly basis for deletion and quarterly basis for addition. Changes to the composition of the SXXP due to corporate actions (including mergers and takeovers, spin-offs, sector changes and bankruptcy) are announced immediately, implemented two trading days later and become effective on the next trading day after implementation.

 

Any component stocks that are not traded for 10 consecutive days, are suspended from trading for 10 consecutive days or more and have not announced a resumption trading date, are officially delisted or are the subject of ongoing bankruptcy proceeds will be deleted from the SXXP. A deleted stock is replaced by the highest-ranked non-component on the selection list in the STOXX Europe Total Market Index to maintain the fixed number of stocks in the SXXP.

 

In the case of a spin-off, if the original stock was a component stock, then each spin-off stock qualifies for addition to the SXXP if it is equal to or above 550 on the latest selection list. The largest qualifying spin-off stock replaces the original component stock, while the next qualifying spin-off stock replaces the lowest ranked component stock and likewise for other qualifying spin-off stocks. Additions and deletions in connection with a quarterly review are announced on the first trading day of the review implementation month.

 

The free float factors and outstanding number of shares for each index stock that STOXX Limited uses to calculate the SXXP, as described below, are reviewed, calculated and implemented on a quarterly basis and are fixed until the next quarterly review. These changes are announced five trading days before they are implemented. Certain extraordinary adjustments to the factors and/or the number of outstanding shares are implemented and made effective more quickly. The timing depends on the magnitude of the change. The free float factor reduces the index stock’s number of shares to the actual amount available on the market. All holdings that are larger than five percent of the total outstanding number of shares and held on a long-term basis are excluded from the SXXP calculation (including, but not limited to, stock owned by the company itself, stock owned by governments, stock owned by certain individuals or families, and restricted shares). In addition, the weight of each component in the SXXP is capped at 20% of the SXXP’s total free float market capitalization.

 

STOXX® Europe 600 Index Calculation

 

STOXX Limited calculates the SXXP using the “Laspeyres formula,” which measures the aggregate price changes in the index stocks against a fixed base quantity weight. The discussion below describes the “price return” calculation of the SXXP. The formula for calculating the SXXP value can be expressed as follows:

 

index level =

 

The “free float market capitalization of the SXXP” is equal to the sum of the product of the price, the number of shares, the free float factor and the weighting cap factor for each index stock as of the time the SXXP is being calculated. Where any index component stock

 

FWP-14

 

price is unavailable on any trading day, the index sponsor will generally use the last reported price for such component stock. If an index stock trades in a currency other than Euros, its stock price is converted into Euros using the midpoint between the latest real-time bid and ask prices for that currency. The closing index level is calculated by converting non-Euro stock prices to Euros using fixed foreign exchange rates (WM fixed exchange rates).

 

In case the investability and tradability of the SXXP and index based products is affected by an upcoming market or company event that is considered significant or “extreme” by the STOXX Management Board, the following actions or a combination of the following actions are taken. For all such changes a minimum notification period of two full trading days will be observed. The action scope may include but is not limited to:

 

·application of expert judgment for index component pricing data,
·adjustment of operational procedures,
·postponement of index adjustments,
·adjustment of selection lists,
·change of weights of index constituents by adjusting the number of shares, free-float factors or weighting cap-factors, or
·adjustment of index compositions.

 

SXXP Divisor

 

The SXXP is calculated using a divisor that helps to maintain the continuity of the SXXP’s value so that corporate actions do not artificially increase or decrease the level of the SXXP. The divisor is calculated by starting with the previous divisor in effect for the SXXP (which we call the “original divisor value”) and multiplying it by a fraction, the numerator of which is the previous free float market capitalization of the SXXP, plus or minus the difference between the closing market capitalization of the SXXP and the adjusted closing market capitalization of the SXXP, and the denominator of which is the previous free float market capitalization of the SXXP. The adjusted free float market capitalization is calculated for stocks of companies that have experienced a corporate action of the type described below as of the time the new divisor value is being calculated using the free float market capitalization calculated with adjusted closing prices, the new number of shares, and the new free float factor minus the free float market capitalization calculated with that stock’s original closing price, number of shares, and free float factor, in each case as used in calculating the original divisor value. Errors in divisor calculation are corrected on an intraday basis if discovered on the same day the new divisor is effective. If the error is discovered later, the error is corrected on an intraday basis if feasible and only if the error is considered significant by the STOXX Limited Management Board.

 

Divisor Adjustments

 

STOXX Limited adjusts the divisor for the SXXP to maintain the continuity of the index values across changes due to corporate actions. Changes in weights due to corporate actions are distributed proportionally across all SXXP components and equal an investment into the portfolio. The following is a summary of the adjustments to any index stock made for corporate actions and the effect of such adjustments on the divisor, where shareholders of the index stock will receive “B” new shares for every “A” share held (where applicable). All adjusted prices consider withholding taxes based on the new shares being distributed, using “B * (1 – withholding tax where applicable)”.

 

(1) Special cash dividend:

 

Adjusted price = closing price – dividend announced by the company * (1 - withholding tax if applicable)

 

Divisor: decreases

 

(2) Split and reverse split:

 

Adjusted price = closing price * A / B

 

New number of shares = old number of shares * B / A

 

Divisor: no change

 

(3) Rights offering:

 

Adjusted price = (closing price * A + subscription price * B) / (A + B)

 

New number of shares = old number of shares * (A + B) / A

 

Divisor: increases

If the subscription price is not available or if the subscription price is equal to or greater than the closing price on the day before the effective date, then no adjustment is made.

If the subscription price is available as a price range and not as a fixed price, the price and share adjustment is performed only if both lower and upper range are in the money. The average value between lower and upper range will be used as a subscription price.

Extremely dilutive rights issues having a share ratio larger or equal to 2000% (B / A 20) are treated as follows:

STOXX will announce the deletion of the company from the SXXP following the standard rules for SXXP replacements if sufficient notice of two trading days before the ex-date can be given.

The company may enter the SXXP again at the next periodic index review, but only after the new rights issue shares have been listed.

 

FWP-15

 

Extremely dilutive rights issues for which two trading days' notice before the ex-date cannot be given, and all highly dilutive rights issues having a share ratio larger or equal to 200% (B / A 2) are treated as follows:

 

·The rights issue shares are included into the SXXP with a theoretical price on the ex-date;
·The rights issue shares must be listed on an eligible stock exchange and tradable starting on the ex-date, otherwise, only a price adjustment is made and the rights are not included;
·The rights issue shares will have the same parameters as the parent company;
·The rights issue shares will be removed at the close of the day they start to trade with traded price being available; and
·The number of shares and weighting factors will be increased after the new rights issue shares have been listed.

 

(4) Stock dividend:

Adjusted price = closing price * A / (A + B)

New number of shares = old number of shares * (A + B) / A

Divisor: no change

(5) Stock dividend from treasury stock if treated as extraordinary dividend:

Adjusted close = close – close * B / (A + B)

Divisor: decreases

(6) Stock dividend (from redeemable shares) if treated as extraordinary dividend.

Stock dividends from redeemable shares will be adjusted as cash dividends. In such a case redeemable shares are considered as:

· A separated share line with a fixed price

· Ordinary shares that are self-tendered on the same ex-date

Adjusted close = close - close * B / (A + B)

Divisor: decreases

(7) Stock dividend of another company:

Adjusted price = (closing price * A – price of other company * B) / A

Divisor: decreases

(8) Return of capital and share consolidation:

Adjusted price = [closing price – capital return announced by company * (1– withholding tax)] * A / B

New number of shares = old number of shares * B / A

Divisor: decreases

(9) Repurchase of shares / self-tender:

Adjusted price = [(price before tender * old number of shares) – (tender price * number of tendered shares)] / (old number of shares – number of tendered shares)

New number of shares = old number of shares – number of tendered shares

Divisor: decreases

(10) Spin-off:

Adjusted price = (closing price * A – price of spun-off shares * B) / A

Divisor: decreases

(11) Combination stock distribution (dividend or split) and rights offering:

For this corporate action, the following additional assumptions apply:

Shareholders receive B new shares from the distribution and C new shares from the rights offering for every A share held; and

If A is not equal to one, all the following “new number of shares” formulae need to be divided by A.

If rights are applicable after stock distribution (one action applicable to another):

Adjusted price = [closing price * A + subscription price * C * (1 + B / A)] / [(A + B) * (1 + C / A)]

New number of shares = old number of shares * [(A + B) * (1 + C / A)] / A

Divisor: increases

If stock distribution is applicable after rights (one action applicable to another):

Adjusted price = (closing price * A + subscription price * C) / [(A + C) * (1 + B / A)]

 

FWP-16

 

New number of shares = old number of shares * [(A + C) * (1 + B / A)]

Divisor: increases

Stock distribution and rights (neither action is applicable to the other):

Adjusted price = (closing price * A + subscription price * C) / (A + B + C)

New number of shares = old number of shares * (A + B + C) / A

Divisor: increases

(12) Addition/deletion of a company

No price adjustments are made. The net change in market capitalization determines the divisor adjustment.

(13) Free float and shares changes

No price adjustments are made. The net change in market capitalization determines the divisor adjustment.

License Agreement with STOXX  

 

HSBC or one of its affiliates has entered into a nonexclusive license agreement providing for the license to it, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use certain indices owned and published by STOXX in connection with some products, including the Notes.   

 

STOXX and its licensors (the “Licensors”) have no relationship to HSBC, other than the licensing of the SXXP and the related trademarks for use in connection with the Notes.  

 

STOXX and its Licensors do not:

 

·Sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the Notes.
·Recommend that any person invest in the Notes or any other securities.
·Have any responsibility or liability for or make any decisions about the timing, amount or pricing of the Notes.
·Have any responsibility or liability for the administration, management or marketing of the Notes.
·Consider the needs of the Notes or the owners of the Notes in determining, composing or calculating the SXXP or have any obligation to do so.

 

STOXX and its Licensors will not have any liability in connection with the Notes. Specifically,

 

·STOXX and its Licensors do not make any warranty, express or implied and disclaim any and all warranty about:
·The results to be obtained by the Notes, the owner of the Notes or any other person in connection with the use of the SXXP and the data included in the SXXP;
·The accuracy or completeness of the SXXP and its data;
·The merchantability and the fitness for a particular purpose or use of the SXXP and its data;
·STOXX and its Licensors will have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions in the SXXP or its data;
·Under no circumstances will STOXX or its Licensors be liable for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages or losses, even if STOXX or its Licensors knows that they might occur.

 

The licensing agreement between HSBC and STOXX is solely for their benefit and not for the benefit of the owners of the Notes or any other third parties.

 

Historical Performance of the SXXP

 

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the SXXP based on the daily historical closing values from February 11, 2014 through February 9, 2024. 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 SXXP should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Official Closing Level of the SXXP on the Final Valuation Date.

 

FWP-17

 

Description of the SX5E

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index ("SX5E") was created by STOXX, which is owned by Deutsche Börse AG. The SX5E is composed of 50 stocks from 9 Eurozone countries (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain) and represents the largest STOXX Supersector leaders in the Eurozone in terms of free-float market capitalization. The SX5E aims to include the 50 Supersector leaders from the EURO STOXX Index by selecting stocks from each of the 20 EURO STOXX Supersectors indices. The 20 STOXX Supersectors are: automobiles and parts; banks; basic resources; chemicals; construction and materials; consumer products and services; energy; financial services; food, beverage and tobacco; health care; industrial goods and services; insurance; media; personal care, drug and grocery stores; real estate; retail; technology; telecommunications; travel and leisure; and utilities.

 

For more information about the SX5E, see "The EURO STOXX 50® Index" beginning on page S-12 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

 

Historical Performance of the SX5E

 

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the SX5E based on the daily historical closing values from February 11, 2014 through February 9, 2024. 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 SX5E should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Official Closing Level of the SX5E on the Final Valuation Date.

 

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 any 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 any 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. 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 Reference Return 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

 

FWP-18

 

on the cover page of this document. HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay varying underwriting discounts of up to 3.50% per $1,000 Principal Amount in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers.

 

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. We or one of our affiliates may pay a fee to one or more broker dealers for providing certain services with respect to this offering, which may reduce the economic terms of the notes to you.

 

In addition, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of its affiliates or agents may use the pricing supplement to which this document 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-83 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, a Note should be treated as a pre-paid executory contract with respect to the Reference Asset. We intend to treat the Notes consistent with this approach. Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, you agree to treat the Notes under this approach 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 a pre-paid executory contract with respect to the Reference Asset. Pursuant to this approach we do not intend to report any income or gain with respect to the Notes prior to their maturity or an earlier sale or exchange and we intend to treat any gain or loss upon maturity or an earlier sale or exchange as long-term capital gain or loss, provided that you have held the Note for more than one year at such time for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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 any Underlying is or becomes a PFIC or a USRPHC.

 

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, Internal Revenue Service 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, 2025. 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 an Underlying 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 an Underlying 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.

 

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” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

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-19

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS  

You should only rely on the information contained in this document, 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 document, 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 document, 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 document, the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is correct on any date after their respective dates.

 

 

 

 

HSBC USA Inc.

 

 

 

 

$[ ]

Barrier Uncapped Market Participation
Securities Linked to the Least Performing
of the STOXX® Europe 600 Index and the
EURO STOXX 50
® Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 12, 2024

 

Free Writing Prospectus

Free Writing Prospectus  
General FWP-7  
Payment at Maturity FWP-7  
Investor Suitability FWP-8  
Risk Factors FWP-9  
Illustrative Examples FWP-12  
Description of the Reference Asset FWP-14  
Events of Default and Acceleration FWP-18  
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) FWP-18  
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations FWP-19  
Equity Index Underlying Supplement  
Disclaimer ii  
Risk Factors S-1  
The DAX® Index S-8  
The Dow Jones Industrial Average® S-10  
The EURO STOXX 50® Index S-12  
The EURO STOXX® Banks Index S-14  
The FTSE® 100 Index S-16  
The Hang Seng® Index S-17  
The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index S-19  
The KOSPI 200 Index S-22  
The MSCI Indices S-24  
The NASDAQ 100 Index® S-31  
The Nikkei Stock Average S-34  
The NYSE® FANG+™ Index S-36  
The PHLX Housing Sector Index S-41  
The Russell 2000® Index S-45  
The S&P 100® Index S-48  
The S&P 500® Index S-55  
The S&P 500® Low Volatility Index S-62  
The S&P BRIC 40 Index S-65  
The S&P MidCap 400® Index S-68  
The S&P/ASX 200 Index S-75  
The S&P 500® ESG Index S-78  
The TOPIX® Index S-82  
The Swiss Market Index S-84  
Additional Terms of the Notes S-86  
Prospectus Supplement  
Risk Factors S-1  
Pricing Supplement S-12  
Description of Notes S-14  
Use of Proceeds and Hedging S-55  
Certain ERISA and Related Considerations S-56  
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations S-58  
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) S-83  
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 35  
Limitations on Issuances in Bearer Form 39  
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to Debt Securities 40  
Certain European Union Tax Considerations 48  
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 and Related Matters 55  
Legal Opinions 57  
Experts 58