424B2 1 v093844_424b2.htm
PRICING SUPPLEMENT
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-133007
Dated November 13, 2007

Performance Securities with Contingent Protection
Linked to a Global Index Basket

Strategic Alternatives to Indexing
HSBC USA Inc. $5,161,000 Securities linked to a Global Index Basket due November 14, 2012
 
Investment Description

These Performance Securities with Contingent Protection linked to a Global Index Basket are notes issued by HSBC USA Inc., which we refer to as the “securities”. The securities are designed to provide enhanced exposure to potential appreciation in the performance of a weighted basket of equity indices (weighted as described herein) consisting of the S&P 500® Index (“SPX”), the Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50SM Index (“SX5E”), the Nikkei 225® Index (“NKY”), the NASDAQ-100 Index® (“NDX”), the FTSE™ 100 Index (“UKX”), the MSCI® Emerging Markets IndexSM (“MXEF”), the Hang Seng China Enterprises IndexTM (“HSCEI”) and the KOSPI 200 Index (“KOSPI2”), each of which we refer to as an “index,” and which together comprise the “indices”. The amount you receive at maturity is based on the return of the basket and on whether the basket closing level of the basket is below the specified trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period. If the basket return is positive, at maturity you will receive an amount in cash per security that is equal to the sum of (a) your principal amount plus (b) the product of (i) your principal amount multiplied by (ii) the basket return multiplied by the participation rate. If the basket return is either (a) zero or (b) negative and the basket closing level of the basket is never below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period, you will receive your principal amount. If the basket return is negative and the basket closing level of the basket is below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period, your securities will be fully exposed to any decline in the basket, and you could lose some or all of your investment in the securities. Investors will not receive interest or dividend payments during the term of the securities. Investing in the securities involves significant risks. You may lose some or all of your principal amount.

Features

q
Enhanced Growth Potential: The securities provide the opportunity to receive enhanced equity returns by multiplying the positive basket return by the participation rate. The securities are not capped by a maximum gain.
q
Contingent Protection Against Loss: Payment at maturity of the principal amount of your securities is conditionally protected, so long as the basket closing level of the basket is never below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period. If the basket return is negative and the basket closing level of the basket is below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period, your securities will be fully exposed to any decline in the basket on the final valuation date, and you could lose some or all of your principal amount.
q
Diversification: Investors can diversify their existing portfolios because the securities are linked to a weighted basket of foreign indices comprised of stocks in various market sectors and listed in various foreign jurisdictions.

Key Dates

Trade Date
November 9, 2007
Settlement Date
November 14, 2007
Final Valuation Date
November 9, 2012
Maturity Date
November 14, 2012

Security Offerings

The securities are linked to the performance of the basket. The securities are not subject to a predetermined maximum gain. The participation rate will be set on the trade date. The securities are offered at a minimum investment of $1,000.
 
See “Additional Information about HSBC USA Inc. and the Securities” on page 3. The securities offered will have the terms specified in the accompanying base prospectus dated April 5, 2006, the accompanying prospectus supplement dated October 12, 2007, and the terms set forth herein. See “Key Risks” beginning on page 9 and the more detailed “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-3 of the accompanying prospectus supplement for risks related to the securities and the index.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of this document, the accompanying base prospectus, prospectus supplement and any other related prospectus supplements. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The securities are not deposit liabilities or other obligations of a bank and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States or any other jurisdiction.
 
The securities will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or quotation system. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 40 of this pricing supplement for distribution arrangement.
 
UBS Financial Services Inc.
HSBC USA Inc.
 



 
Price to Public
Underwriting Discount
Proceeds to Us
Per Security
100%
3.50%
96.50%
Total
$5,161,000
$180,635
$4,980,365

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
Title of Class of Securities Offered
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price
Amount of Registration
Fee (1)
Performance Securities with Contingent Protection Linked to a Global Index Basket due November 14, 2012
$5,161,000
$158.44
(1) Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
 

2

 
Additional Information about HSBC USA Inc. and the Securities

This pricing supplement relates to one security offering linked to the basket identified on the cover page. The basket described in this pricing supplement is a reference asset as defined in the prospectus supplement, and these securities being offered are notes for purposes of the prospectus supplement. The purchaser of a security will acquire an investment instrument linked to the basket. We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify any offering and to reject orders in whole or in part. Although the security offering relates to the basket identified on the cover page, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation of the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the basket, any index or stocks underlying the indices, or as to the suitability of an investment in the securities.

You should read this document together with the prospectus dated April 5, 2006 and the prospectus supplement dated October 12, 2007. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Key Risks” beginning on page 9 of this pricing supplement and in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-3 of the prospectus supplement, as the securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the securities.

HSBC USA Inc. has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus and prospectus supplement) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, for the offering to which this pricing supplement relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus and prospectus supplement in that registration statement and other documents HSBC USA Inc. has filed with the SEC for more complete information about HSBC USA Inc. and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, HSBC USA Inc. or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus and prospectus supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1 888 800 4722.

You may access these documents on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov as follows:

 
¨
Prospectus supplement dated October 12, 2007:

 
¨
Prospectus dated April 5, 2006:

As used herein, references to “HSBC”, “we,” “us” and “our” are to HSBC USA Inc. References to the “prospectus supplement” mean the prospectus supplement dated October 12, 2007 and references to “accompanying prospectus” mean the HSBC USA Inc. prospectus, dated April 5, 2006.

Investor Suitability
The securities may be suitable for you if:
¨    You believe the basket will appreciate over the term of the securities.
¨    You seek an investment with an enhanced return linked to the performance of the basket.
¨    You are willing to hold the securities to maturity.
¨    You are willing to expose your principal to the full downside performance of the basket if the basket closing level falls below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period.
¨    You are willing to forgo dividends paid on the stocks included in the indices in exchange for enhanced returns if the basket appreciates and contingent protection if the basket depreciates but never falls below the trigger level.
¨    You do not seek current income from this investment.
¨    You do not seek an investment for which there is an active secondary market.
¨    You seek an investment whose return is linked to indices that represent companies in a variety of market sectors and foreign jurisdictions, including emerging markets.
¨    You are willing to invest in the securities based on the participation rate of 115%.
 
The securities may not be suitable for you if:
¨    You do not believe the basket will appreciate over the term of the securities.
¨    You do not seek an investment with exposure to the basket.
¨    You are not willing to make an investment that is conditionally exposed to the full downside performance risk of the weighted basket.
¨    You are unable or unwilling to hold the securities to maturity.
¨    You seek an investment that is 100% principal protected.
¨    You prefer the lower risk, and therefore accept the potentially lower returns, of fixed income investments with comparable maturities issued by HSBC or another issuer with a similar credit rating.
¨    You prefer to receive dividends paid on the stocks included in the indices.
¨    You seek current income from this investment.
¨    You seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.

The suitability considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the securities are a suitable investment for you will depend on your individual circumstances, and you should reach an investment decision only after you and your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors have carefully considered the suitability of an investment in the securities in light of your particular circumstances.
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Final Terms

Issuer
HSBC USA Inc. (Aa3/AA-)1
Principal Amount
$10 per security
Term
5 years
Basket
The securities are linked to a weighted basket consisting of the S&P 500® Index (“SPX”), the Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50SM Index (“SX5E”), the Nikkei 225® Index (“NKY”), the NASDAQ-100 Index® (“NDX”), the FTSE™ 100 Index (“UKX”), the MSCI® Emerging Markets IndexSM (“MXEF”), the Hang Seng China Enterprises IndexTM (“HSCEI”) and the KOSPI 200 Index (“KOSPI2”), each of which we refer to as an “index”, or collectively, as the “indices.”
Basket Weightings
With respect to the:
SPX, 35.00%;
SX5E, 15.00%;
NKY, 15.00%;
NDX, 10.00%;
UKX, 10.00%;
MXEF, 5.00%;
HSCEI, 5.00%;
KOSPI2, 5.00%.
Participation Rate
115%.
Payment at Maturity (per $10 security)
You will receive a cash payment at maturity linked to the performance of the basket during the term of the securities.
 
If the basket return is positive, you will receive the sum of (a) your principal amount plus (b) the product of (i) your principal amount multiplied by (ii) the index return multiplied by the participation rate:
$10 + [$10 x (basket return
  x participation rate)]
 
If the basket return is zero, you will receive your principal amount of:
$10
 
If the basket return is negative and the basket closing level of the basket is never below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period, you will receive your principal amount of:
$10
 
If the basket return is negative and the basket closing level of the basket is below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period, you will receive the sum of (a) your principal amount plus (b) the product of (i) your principal amount multiplied by (ii) the basket return:
$10 + [$10 x (basket return)]
 
In this case, the contingent protection is lost and you will lose some or all of your principal amount.
Basket Return
basket ending level - basket starting level
basket starting level
Basket Starting Level
Set equal to 100 on the trade date.
Basket Ending Level
The basket level on the final valuation date.
On the final valuation date, the basket level will be calculated as follows:
100 x [1 + (SPX return x 35.00%) + (SX5E return x 15.00%) + (NKY return x 15.00%) + (NDX return x 10.00%) + (UKX return x 10.00%) + (MXEF return x 5.00%) + (HSCEI return x 5.00%) + (KOSPI2 return x 5.00%) ], where the return for each index is the index performance of the respective index.
Basket Closing Level
The basket level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period.
 
On any scheduled trading day during the observation period, the basket level will be calculated in the same manner for determining the basket ending level, except the official closing levels of the indices on such scheduled trading day will be used instead of the official closing levels of the indices on the final valuation date.
Index Performance
With respect to each index, the percentage change from the respective index starting level to the respective index ending level, calculated as follows:
 
Index Ending Level - Index Starting Level
Index Starting Level
Index Starting Level
With respect to the:
SPX, 1,453.70;
SX5E, 4,297.83;
NKY, 15,583.42;
NDX, 2,034.30;
UKX, 6,304.90;
MXEF, 1,278.03;
HSCEI, 17,704.08;
KOSPI2, 252.21.
Index Ending Level
With respect to an index, the official closing level for such index on the final valuation date, as determined by the calculation agent. For the purposes of calculating the basket closing level on any scheduled trading day, the index ending level with respect to each index will be the official closing level of such index on that scheduled trading day.
Trigger Level
50, representing 50% of the basket starting level.
Observation Period
The period from, but excluding, the trade date to, and including, the final valuation date.
CUSIP / ISIN
40428H 136 / US40428H1361
_______________________________
1 HSBC USA Inc. is rated Aa3 by Moody’s and AA- by Standard & Poor’s. A credit rating reflects the creditworthiness of HSBC USA Inc. and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, and it may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization. The securities themselves have not been independently rated. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. However, because the return on the securities is dependent upon factors in addition to our ability to pay our obligations under the securities, such as the trading level of each index, an improvement in our credit ratings, financial condition or results of operations is not expected to have a positive effect on the trading value of the securities.

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Determining Payment at Maturity


You will receive an amount equal to the sum of (a) your principal amount plus (b) the product of (i) your principal amount multiplied by (ii) the basket return. Accordingly, for each $10.00 invested, your payment at maturity will be calculated as follows:
 
$10 + [$10 x (basket return)]
 
Your securities are not fully principal protected. If the basket return is negative and the basket closing level of the basket is below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period, the contingent protection is lost and your principal amount will be fully exposed to any decline in the basket.
 

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What are the tax consequences of the securities?

You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the prospectus supplement. In the opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, special U.S. tax counsel to us, the following discussion summarizes certain of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, beneficial ownership, and disposition of each of the securities. This summary supplements the section “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the prospectus supplement and supersedes it to the extent inconsistent therewith. This summary does not discuss the tax consequences that may be relevant to persons that own in the aggregate, directly or indirectly (including by reason of investing in the securities) more than 5 percent of any entity included in an index in the basket.
 
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 securities. Under one reasonable approach, the securities should be treated as pre-paid forward or other executory contracts with respect to the index. We intend to treat the securities consistent with this approach and pursuant to the terms of the securities, you agree to treat the securities under this approach for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Certain Equity-Linked Notes — Certain Notes Treated as Forward Contracts” in the prospectus supplement for certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to securities that are treated as pre-paid cash-settled forward or other executory contracts.
 
If one or more of the entities included in the indices in the basket are treated as a REIT, partnership or trust, or PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or otherwise as a "pass-thru entity" for purposes of section 1260 of the Code, it is possible that the security will be subject to the "constructive ownership" rules of section 1260 of the Code. If so, the portion of any gain that relates to a pass-thru entity that would otherwise be treated as long-term capital gain recognized on the sale, exchange, maturity, or other taxable disposition of the securities could be treated as ordinary income and subject to an interest charge. Prospective investors in the securities should consult the offering documents for the entities included in the indices in the basket and their tax advisors as to the possibility that one or more of the entities included in the indices in the basket is treated as a REIT, a partnership or trust, or a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or otherwise as a "pass-thru entity" for purposes of section 1260 of the Code, and section 1260 applies to their security.
 
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 securities, other characterizations and treatments are possible and the timing and character of income in respect of the securities might differ from the treatment described above. For example, the securities could be treated as debt instruments that are “contingent payment debt instruments” for federal income tax purposes. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Certain Equity-Linked Notes — Certain Notes Treated as Forward Contracts” in prospectus supplement.
 
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF SECURITIES.
 
Scenario Analysis and Examples at Maturity

The following examples are provided for illustration purposes only and are hypothetical. They do not purport to be representative of every possible scenario concerning increases or decreases in the level of each index relative to its respective index starting level. We cannot predict the closing level of each index on any scheduled trading day and, thus, the basket level of the basket on any scheduled trading day during the observation period, including the final valuation date. You should not take these examples as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of each index and the basket. The numbers appearing in the examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis.
 
The following scenario analysis and examples illustrate the payment at maturity for a $10.00 security on a hypothetical offering of the securities, with the following assumptions:
 
Investment term:
5 years
Basket Starting Level:
100
Trigger level:
50
Participation rate:
115%

Example 1The level of the basket increases from the basket starting level of 100 to a basket ending level of 110. The basket return is positive, and expressed as a formula:

basket return = (110-100)/100 = 10%
payment at maturity = $10 + ($10 x (10% x 115%)) = $11.15

Because the basket return is equal to 10%, the payment at maturity is equal to $11.15 per $10.00 principal amount of securities, and the return on the securities is 11.15%.

Example 2The basket ending level is equal to the basket starting level. The basket return is zero and the payment at maturity per security is equal to the original $10.00 principal amount per security:

basket return = 0%
payment at maturity = $10.00

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Example 3The level of the basket decreases from the basket starting level to a basket ending level of 95. In addition, the basket closing level of the basket is never below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period. The basket return is negative, but there is contingent principal protection:

basket return = (95-100)/100 = -5%
payment at maturity = $10.00

Because the basket closing level of the basket is never below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period, the investor has contingent principal protection. Therefore the payment at maturity is equal to $10.00 per $10.00 principal amount of securities.

Example 4The level of the basket decreases from the basket starting level to a basket ending level of 90. In addition, the basket closing level of the basket is below the trigger level on one or more scheduled trading days during the observation period. The basket return is negative, but there is no principal protection. Expressed as a formula:

basket return = (90-100)/100 = -10%
payment at maturity = $10 + ($10 x -10%) = $9.00

Because the basket closing level of the basket is below the trigger level on at least one scheduled trading day during the observation period, the investor loses its contingent principal protection and is fully exposed to any decline in the basket ending level of the basket relative to the basket starting level on the final valuation date. Therefore the return on the securities is -10%. In this case, the investor would lose some of its principal amount at maturity.

 
 
Contingent Protection1
 
No Contingent Protection2
Basket Return
 
Principal Amount
 
Payment at Maturity
 
Principal Amount
 
Payment at Maturity
100.00%
 
100%
 
$21.50
 
100%
 
$21.50
80.00%
 
100%
 
$19.20
 
100%
 
$19.20
60.00%
 
100%
 
$16.90
 
100%
 
$16.90
40.00%
 
100%
 
$14.60
 
100%
 
$14.60
20.00%
 
100%
 
$12.30
 
100%
 
$12.30
0.00%
 
100%
 
$10.00
 
100%
 
$10.00
-20.00%
 
100%
 
$10.00
 
-20.00%
 
$8.00
-40.00%
 
100%
 
$10.00
 
-40.00%
 
$6.00
-60.00%
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
-60.00%
 
$4.00
-80.00%
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
-80.00%
 
$2.00
-100.00%
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
-100.00%
 
$0.00
1 The basket closing level of the basket is never below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period.
2  The basket closing level of the basket is below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period.
 
Key Risks

An investment in the securities involves significant risks. Some of the risks that apply to the securities are summarized here, but we urge you to read the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the securities generally in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying prospectus supplement. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the securities.
 
¨
Contingent Principal Protection Only Applies if You Hold the Securities to Maturity - You should be willing to hold your securities to maturity. The securities are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. The price at which you will be able to sell your securities to us, our affiliates or any party in the secondary market prior to maturity, if at all, may be at a substantial discount from the principal amount of the securities, even in cases where the basket has appreciated since the trade date.
 
¨
Principal Protection Only in Limited Circumstances and Otherwise You May Lose Up to 100% of Your Initial Investment - Your principal amount will be protected only if the basket closing level of the basket is never below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period. The securities differ from ordinary debt securities in that we may not pay you 100% of your principal amount if the basket closing level of the basket is below the trigger level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period. In that event, the contingent protection will be eliminated and, at maturity, you will be fully exposed to any decline in the basket. Accordingly, you may lose up to 100% of your principal amount.
 
¨
Changes in the Levels of the Basket Indices May Offset Each Other - The securities are linked to a weighted basket composed of the indices. At a time when the level of one or more of the other indices increases on the relevant date of determination, the level of one or more of the other indices on such relevant date of determination may not increase as much or may even decline. Therefore, in calculating the basket closing level on any scheduled trading day during the observation period and the basket ending level on the final valuation date, increases in the level of one or more of the indices may be moderated, or offset, by lesser increases or declines in the level of one or more of the other indices. This affect is further amplified by the differing weights of the indices. More heavily weighted indices will have a larger impact than indices with lesser weightings.
 
¨
Lack of Liquidity - The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange or quotation system. We intend to offer to purchase the securities in the secondary market but are not required to do so. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to trade your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which we are willing to buy the securities.
 

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¨
Uncertain Tax Treatment - There is no direct legal authority as to the proper tax treatment of the securities, and therefore significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain, as to both the timing and character of any inclusion in income in respect of the securities. Under one approach, the securities should be treated as pre-paid forward or other executory contracts with respect to the basket. We intend to treat the securities consistent with this approach and pursuant to the terms of the securities, you agree to treat the securities under this approach for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Certain Equity-Linked Notes — Certain Notes Treated as Forward Contracts” in the prospectus supplement for certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to securities that are treated as pre-paid cash-settled forward or other executory contracts. Certain of the entities included in the indices in the basket could be treated as a "real estate investment trust" ("REIT"), partnership, trust, or "passive foreign investment company" ("PFIC") for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or otherwise as a "pass-thru entity" for purposes of section 1260 of the Code, in which case it is possible that the security will be subject to the "constructive ownership" rules of section 1260 of the Code. If so, the portion of any gain that relates to a pass-thru entity that would otherwise be treated as long-term capital gain recognized on the sale, exchange, maturity, or other taxable disposition of the securities could be treated as ordinary income and subject to an interest charge. Because of the uncertainty regarding the tax treatment of the securities, we urge you to consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of your investment in a security. For a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in a security, please see the discussion under “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
 
¨
Owning the Securities is Not the Same as Owning the Stocks Underlying the Indices -The return on your securities may not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the stocks included in the indices. As a holder of the securities, you will not receive interest payments, and you will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or other rights that holders of stocks included in the indices would have.
 
¨
Potential Conflict of Interest - HSBC and its affiliates may engage in business with the issuers of the stocks comprising the indices or any of the reference sponsors, which may present a conflict between the obligations of HSBC and you, as a holder of the securities. The calculation agent, which may be the issuer or any of its affiliates, will determine the payment at maturity based on observed levels of each index in the market. The calculation agent can postpone the determination of any index ending level or the maturity date if a market disruption event occurs with respect to any index and is continuing on the final valuation date.
 
¨
Potentially Inconsistent Research, Opinions or Recommendations by HSBC - HSBC and its affiliates may publish research, express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with investing in or holding any offering of the securities. Any such research, opinions or recommendations could affect the value of any index or the stocks included in any index, and therefore, the market value of the securities.
 
¨
Credit of Issuer - An investment in the securities is subject to the credit risk of HSBC, and the actual and perceived creditworthiness of HSBC may affect the market value of the securities.
 
¨
Additional Risks Associated With Foreign Securities Market - Because stocks or companies included in the SX5E, NKY, UKX, MXEF, HSCEI and KOSPI2 are publicly traded in the applicable foreign countries and are denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars, investments in the securities involve particular risks. For example, the foreign securities markets may be more volatile than the United States securities markets, and market developments may affect these markets differently from the United States or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize the securities markets outside the United States, as well as cross-shareholdings in certain companies, may affect trading prices and trading volumes in those markets. Also, the public availability of information concerning foreign issuers may vary depending on their home jurisdiction and the reporting requirements imposed by their respective regulators. In addition, the foreign issuers may be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to United States reporting companies.
 
 
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. Securities prices outside the United States are subject to political, economic, financial and social factors that apply in foreign countries. These factors, which could negatively affect foreign securities markets, include the possibility of changes in a foreign government’s economic and fiscal policies, the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to foreign companies or investments in foreign equity securities and the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies. Moreover, foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States economy in important respects such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.
 
¨
Index Performance for SX5E, NKY, UKX, HSCEI and KOSP12 Will not be Adjusted for Changes in Exchange Rates - While the stocks included in the SX5E, NKY, UKX, HSCEI and KOSPI2 are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the index performance for these indices will not be adjusted for changes in exchange rates. Therefore, if the currencies in which the stocks comprising the SX5E, NKY, UKX, HSCEI and KOSPI2 are denominated appreciate or depreciate relative to the U.S. dollar over the term of the securities, you will not receive any additional payment or incur any reduction in payment at maturity.
 
¨
Currency Exchange Risk for the MSCI® Emerging Markets Index SM - The MXEF, but not the stocks underlying the MXEF, is denominated in U.S. dollars. Because the prices of the stocks underlying the MXEF will be converted by the applicable reference sponsor into U.S. dollars for the purposes of calculating the value of the MXEF, your investment in the securities will be exposed to currency exchange risk with respect to each of the emerging markets represented in the MXEF.
 

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Market Disruption Event

If the final valuation date is not a scheduled trading day (as defined below) for an index, then the final valuation date for that index will be the next scheduled trading day. If a market disruption event (as defined below) exists for an index on the final valuation date, then such final valuation date for that index will be the next scheduled trading day for which there is no Market Disruption Event with respect to that index. If a market disruption event exists for an index on eight consecutive scheduled trading days, then that eighth scheduled trading day will be the final valuation date for that index, and the index ending level of that index will be determined by means of the formula for and method of calculating that index which applied just prior to the market disruption event, using the relevant exchange traded or quoted price of each stock in that index (or a good faith estimate of the value of a stock in that index which is itself the subject of a market disruption event). For the avoidance of doubt, if no market disruption event exists with respect to an index on the final valuation date for that index, the determination of that index’s index ending level will be made on the originally scheduled final valuation date, irrespective of the existence of a market disruption event with respect to one or more of the other indices. If the final valuation date for any index is postponed, then the maturity date will also be postponed until the third business day following the postponed final valuation date for that index.
 
“Market disruption event” for an index means any scheduled trading day on which any relevant exchange (as defined below) or related exchange (as defined below) fails to open for trading during its regular trading session or on which any of the following events has occurred and is continuing which we determine is material:
 
(a) the occurrence or existence of a condition specified below at any time:
 
(i) any suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by any relevant exchanges or related exchanges or otherwise, (A) relating to any constituent included in any index or (B) in futures or options contracts relating to any index on any related exchange; or
 
(ii) any event (other than any event described in (b) below) that disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general (A) to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for any constituent included in any index or (B) to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, futures or options contracts relating to any index on any relevant related exchange; or
 
(b) the closure on any scheduled trading day of any relevant exchange relating to any constituent included in any index or any related exchange prior to its scheduled closing time (unless the earlier closing time is announced by the relevant exchange or related exchange at least one hour prior to the earlier of (i) the actual closing time for the regular trading session on the exchange and (ii) the submission deadline for orders to be entered into the Relevant Exchange or Related Exchange for execution at the close of trading on that day).
 
“Related exchange” for an index means each exchange or quotation system on which futures or options contracts relating to such index are traded, or any successor or temporary substitute for such exchange or quotation system (provided that we have determined, for a substitute exchange or quotation system, that liquidity on such substitute is comparable to liquidity on the original related exchange).
 
“Relevant exchange” for an index means any primary exchange on which securities then included in such index trade.
 
“Scheduled closing time” means the scheduled weekday closing time of the Relevant Exchange or Related Exchange, without regard to after hours or any other trading outside of the regular trading session hours.
 
“Scheduled trading day” for an index means any day on which all of the relevant exchanges and related exchanges are scheduled to be open for trading for each security then included in such index.
 

9



Hypothetical Historical Basket Performance

The graph below illustrates the hypothetical historical performance of the basket from November 1, 2001 to November 9, 2007, as if the basket starting level was 100 on November 9, 2007. Hypothetical historical levels of the basket should not be taken as an indication of future performance.


10


BASKET INFORMATION
 
This pricing supplement is not an offer to sell and it is not an offer to buy stocks comprising the indices. All disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the indices, including their make-up, performance, method of calculation, and changes in their components, are derived from publicly available information. Neither HSBC nor any of its affiliates assumes any responsibilities for the adequacy or accuracy of information about the indices or stocks comprising the indices contained in this pricing supplement. You should make your own investigation into the indices as well as stocks included in the indices. Each reference sponsor has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the applicable index. Each reference sponsor may discontinue or suspend the publication of the applicable index at any time.
 
Neither we nor any affiliate makes any representation that any publicly available information regarding the reference sponsors is accurate or complete. For more information, we urge you to read the section “Sponsors or Issuers and Reference Asset” on page S-25 in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
 
Historical Performance of the Indices
 
The descriptions below of each index include a table that sets forth the quarterly high and low intraday levels, as well as end-of-quarter index levels, of the respective index for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through September 28, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007. We obtained the data in these tables from Bloomberg Financial Service, without independent verification by us. Historical levels of each index should not be taken as an indication of future performance of such index.
 
The S&P 500® Index (“SPX”)

S&P publishes the SPX.
 
The SPX is capitalization weighted and is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement. The calculation of the level of the SPX, discussed below in further detail, is based on the relative value of the aggregate market value of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. As of October 24, 2007, 425 companies or 85.0% of the SPX, traded on the New York Stock Exchange and 75 companies, or 15.0% of the SPX, traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market. S&P chooses companies for inclusion in the SPX with the aim of achieving a distribution by broad industry groupings that approximates the distribution of these groupings in the common stock population of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), which S&P uses as an assumed model for the composition of the total market.
 
Relevant criteria employed by S&P include the viability of the particular company, the extent to which that company represents the industry group to which it is assigned, the extent to which the market price of that company’s common stock is generally responsive to changes in the affairs of the respective industry and the market value and trading activity of the common stock of that company. Ten main groups of companies comprise the SPX with the number of companies included in each group, as of October 24, 2007, indicated in parenthesis: Consumer Discretionary (88); Consumer Staples (39); Energy (34); Financials (93); Health Care (53); Industrials (54); Information Technology (72); Materials (28); Telecommunications Services (9); and Utilities (30). Changes in the SPX are reported daily in the financial pages of many major newspapers, on the Bloomberg Financial Service under the symbol “SPX” and on S&P website (http://www.spglobal.com). Information contained in the S&P website is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered a part of, this pricing supplement. The SPX does not reflect the payment of dividends on the stocks included in the SPX.
 
Computation of the SPX
 
S&P currently computes the SPX as of a particular time as follows:
 
 
i.
the product of the market price per share and the number of then outstanding shares of each component stock as determined as of that time (referred to as the “market value” of that stock);
 
 
ii.
the market values of all component stocks as of that time are aggregated;
 
 
iii.
the average of the market values as of each week in the base period of the years 1941 through 1943 of the common stock of each company in a group of 500 substantially similar companies is determined;
 
 
iv.
the mean average market values of all these common stocks over the base period are aggregated (the aggregate amount being referred to as the “base value”);
 
 
v.
the current aggregate market value of all component stocks is divided by the base value; and
 
 
vi.
the resulting quotient, expressed in decimals, is multiplied by ten.
 

11


While S&P currently employs the above methodology to calculate the SPX, no assurance can be given that S&P will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect the performance of the SPX. S&P adjusts the foregoing formula to offset the effects of changes in the market value of a component stock that are determined by S&P to be arbitrary or not due to true market fluctuations. These changes may result from causes such as: the issuance of stock dividends, the granting to shareholders of rights to purchase additional shares of stock, the purchase of shares by employees pursuant to employee benefit plans, consolidations and acquisitions, the granting to shareholders of rights to purchase other securities of the company, the substitution by S&P of particular component stocks in the SPX, and other reasons.
 
In these cases, S&P first recalculates the aggregate market value of all component stocks, after taking account of the new market price per share of the particular component stock or the new number of outstanding shares of that stock or both, as the case may be, and then determines the new base value in accordance with the following formula:
 
Old Base Value X New Market Value = New Base Value
 
Old Market Value
 
The result is that the base value is adjusted in proportion to any change in the aggregate market value of all component stocks resulting from the causes referred to above to the extent necessary to negate the effects of these causes upon the SPX.
 
In addition, S&P standard practice is to remove all closely held shares and shares held between corporations who are both in the calculations of the SPX and an SPX component’s market value.
 
License Agreement with Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”):
 
We have entered into a nonexclusive license agreement providing for the license to us, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use indices owned and published by S&P’s in connection with some securities, including the securities.
 
The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the securities particularly or the ability of the S&P 500® to track general stock market performance. S&P’s only relationship to HSBC. (other than transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business) is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of S&P and of the S&P 500® which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P without regard to HSBC or the securities. S&P has no obligation to take the needs of HSBC or the holders of the securities into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500®. S&P is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of the sale of the securities, prices at which the securities are to initially be sold, or quantities of the securities to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the securities are to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the securities.
 
Historical Performance of the SPX 
 
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low intra-day levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of SPX for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through September 28, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007. The closing level of the SPX on November 9, 2007 was 1,453.70. We obtained the data in the following table from Bloomberg Financial Service, without independent verification by us. Historical levels of SPX should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given that the level of SPX will increase relative to the index starting level during the term of the notes.
 
Quarter Ending
Quarterly High
Quarterly Low
Quarterly Close
March 31, 2004
1,163.23
1,087.06
1,126.21
June 30, 2004
1,150.57
1,076.32
1,140.84
September 30, 2004
1,140.84
1,060.72
1,114.58
December 31, 2004
1,217.33
1,090.19
1,211.92
March 31, 2005
1,229.11
1,163.69
1,180.59
June 30, 2005
1,219.59
1,136.15
1,191.33
September 30, 2005
1,245.86
1,183.55
1,228.81
December 30, 2005
1,275.8
1,168.2
1,248.29
March 31, 2006
1,310.88
1,245.74
1,294.83
 
12

 
June 30, 2006
1,326.7
1,219.29
1,270.2
September 30, 2006
1,340.28
1,224.54
1,335.85
December 29, 2006
1,431.81
1,327.1
1,418.3
March 30, 2007
1,461.57
1,363.98
1,420.86
June 29, 2007
1,540.56
1,416.37
1,503.35
September 28, 2007
1,555.9
1,370.6
1,526.75
October 1, 2007 through
November 9, 2007
1,576.09
1,448.51
1,453.70


13

 
The Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50SM Index (“SX5E”)

The SX5E was created by STOXX Limited, a joint venture between Deutsche Börse AG, Dow Jones & Company and SWX Group. Publication of the SX5E began on February 28, 1998, based on an initial SX5E value of 1,000 at December 31, 1991. The SX5E is reported daily in the financial pages of many major newspapers, on the Bloomberg Financial Service under the symbol “SX5E” and on the STOXX Limited website: http://www.stoxx.com. Information contained in the STOXX Limited website is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered a part of, this pricing supplement.
 
SX5E Composition and Maintenance
 
The SX5E is composed of 50 component stocks of market sector leaders from within the Dow Jones EURO STOXXSM Index, which includes stocks selected from the Eurozone. The component stocks have a high degree of liquidity and represent the largest companies across all market sectors defined by the Dow Jones Global Classification Standard. The composition of the SX5E is reviewed annually in September, based on the closing stock data on the last trading day in August. The component stocks are announced the first trading day in September. Changes to the component stocks are implemented on the third Friday in September and are effective the following trading day. Changes in the composition of the SX5E are made to ensure that the SX5E includes the 50 market sector leaders from within the Dow Jones EURO STOXXSM Index.
 
SX5E Calculation
 
The SX5E is calculated with the “Laspeyres formula”, which measures the aggregate price changes in the component stocks against a fixed base quantity weight. The formula for calculating the SX5E value can be expressed as follows:
 
 
Each component’s weight is capped at 10% of the SX5E’s total free-float market capitalization. Weights are reviewed quarterly. Within each of the SX5E market sector indices, the component stocks are ranked by free-float market capitalization. The largest stocks are added to the selection list until the coverage is close to, but still less than, 60% of the free-float market capitalization of the corresponding SX5E market sector index. If the next-ranked stock brings the coverage closer to 60% in absolute terms, then it is also added to the selection list. Any remaining stocks that are current SX5E components are added to the selection list. The stocks on the selection list are ranked by free-float market capitalization. In exceptional cases, the STOXX Limited Supervisory Board may make additions and deletions to the selection list.
 
The 40 largest stocks on the selection list are chosen as components. Any remaining current components of the SX5E ranked between 41 and 60 are added as index components. If the component number is still below 50, then the largest stocks on the selection list are added until the index contains 50 stocks.
 
The divisor of the aforementioned formula is adjusted to maintain the continuity of the SX5E value across changes due to corporate actions such as the issuance of dividends, the occurrence of stock splits, stock repurchase by the issuer and other reasons.
 
License Agreement with STOXX Limited
 
We have entered into a nonexclusive license agreement providing for the license to us, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use certain indices owned and published by STOXX Limited in connection with some securities, including the notes.
 
The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by STOXX Limited (including its affiliates) (collectively referred to as “STOXX Limited”). STOXX Limited has not passed on the legality or suitability of, or the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and disclosures relating to the notes. STOXX Limited makes no representation or warranty, express or implied to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly, or the ability of the SX5E to track general stock market performance. STOXX Limited has no relationship to us other than the licensing of the SX5E and the related trademarks for use in connection with the notes, which index is determined, composed and calculated by STOXX Limited without regard to us or the notes. STOXX Limited has no obligation to take our needs or the needs of the owners of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the SX5E. STOXX Limited is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the notes to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the notes are to be converted into cash. STOXX Limited has no liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes.
 
STOXX LIMITED DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE SX5E OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND STOXX LIMITED SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. STOXX LIMITED MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY HSBC, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF THE SX5E OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. STOXX LIMITED MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE SX5E OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL STOXX LIMITED HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF. THE LICENSING AGREEMENT BETWEEN HSBC AND STOXX LIMITED IS SOLELY FOR THEIR BENEFIT AND NOT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE OWNERS OF THE NOTES OR ANY THIRD PARTIES.
 

14


STOXX Limited and Dow Jones have no relationship to HSBC, other than the licensing of the SX5E and the related trademarks for use in connection with the notes.
 
STOXX Limited and Dow Jones 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 SX5E or have any obligation to do so.
 
STOXX Limited and Dow Jones will not have any liability in connection with the notes. Specifically,
 
 
·
STOXX Limited and Dow Jones 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 SX5E and the data included in the SX5E;
 
 
·
The accuracy or completeness of the SX5E and its data;
 
 
·
The merchantability and the fitness for a particular purpose or use of the SX5E and its data;
 
 
·
STOXX Limited and Dow Jones will have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions in the SX5E and its data;
 
 
·
Under no circumstances will STOXX Limited or Dow Jones be liable for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages or losses, even if STOXX Limited or Dow Jones knows that they might occur.
 
The licensing agreement between STOXX Limited and us is solely for their benefit and not for the benefit of the owners of the notes or any other third parties.
 
THE SX5E IS PROPRIETARY AND COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. THE SX5E AND THE RELATED TRADEMARKS HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES BY HSBC NEITHER STOXX LIMITED NOR DOW JONES & COMPANY, INC. SPONSORS, ENDORSES OR PROMOTES THE NOTES BASED ON THE SX5E.
 
Historical Performance of the SX5E 
 
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low intra-day levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of SX5E for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through September 28, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007. The closing level of the SX5E on November 9, 2007 was 4,297.83. We obtained the data in the following table from Bloomberg Financial Service, without independent verification by us. Historical levels of SX5E should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given that the level of SX5E will increase relative to the index starting level during the term of the notes.
 
Quarter Ending
Quarterly High
Quarterly Low
Quarterly Close
March 31, 2004
2,965.15
2,680.04
2,787.49
June 30, 2004
2,919.57
2,630.21
2,811.08
September 30, 2004
2,842.81
2,559.88
2,726.30
December 31, 2004
2,960.97
2,727.76
2,951.01
March 31, 2005
3,117.77
2,914.00
3,055.73
 
15

 
June 30, 2005
3,198.89
2,911.48
3,181.54
September 30, 2005
3,438.76
3,079.89
3,428.51
December 30, 2005
3,621.89
3,212.07
3,578.93
March 31, 2006
3,881.69
3,515.07
3,853.74
June 30, 2006
3,897.40
3,379.66
3,648.92
September 30, 2006
3,921.15
3,462.77
3,899.41
December 29, 2006
4,147.38
3,858.87
4,119.94
March 30, 2007
4,278.22
3,906.15
4,181.03
June 29, 2007
4,572.82
4,163.77
4,489.77
September 28, 2007
4,564.03
4,028.72
4,381.71
October 1, 2007 through
November 9, 2007
4,497.32
4,279.16
4,297.83


16



The Nikkei 225® Index (“NKY”)

The NKY is a stock index calculated, published and disseminated by NKS that measures the composite price performance of selected Japanese stocks. NKS first calculated and published the NKY in 1970. The NKY currently is based on 225 underlying stocks (the “Nikkei underlying stocks”) trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (the “TSE”) representing a broad cross-section of Japanese industries. All 225 Nikkei underlying stocks are stocks listed in the First Section of the TSE. Stocks listed in the First Section of the TSE are among the most actively traded stocks on the TSE. NKS rules require that the 75 most liquid issues (one-third of the component count of the NKY) be included in the NKY.
 
The 225 companies included in the NKY are divided into six sector categories: Technology, Financials, Consumer Goods, Materials, Capital Goods/Others and Transportation and Utilities. These six sector categories are further divided into 36 industrial classifications as follows:
 
 
·
Technology - Pharmaceuticals, Electric Machinery, Automobiles, Precision Machinery, Telecommunications;
 
 
·
Financials - Banks, Miscellaneous Finance, Securities, Insurance;
 
 
·
Consumer Goods - Marine Products, Food, Retail, Services;
 
 
·
Materials - Mining, Textiles, Paper and Pulp, Chemicals, Oil, Rubber, Ceramics, Steel, Nonferrous Metals, Trading House;
 
 
·
Capital Goods/Others - Construction, Machinery, Shipbuilding, Transportation Equipment, Miscellaneous Manufacturing, Real Estate; and
 
 
·
Transportation and Utilities - Railroads and Buses, Trucking, Shipping, Airlines, Warehousing, Electric Power, Gas.
 
The NKY is a modified, price-weighted index (i.e., a Nikkei underlying stock’s weight in the index is based on its price per share rather than the total market capitalization of the issuer) that is calculated by (i) multiplying the per-share price of each Nikkei underlying stock by the corresponding weighting factor for such Nikkei underlying stock (a “weight factor”), (ii) calculating the sum of all these products and (iii) dividing such sum by a divisor (the “divisor”). The divisor was initially set at 225 for the date of May 16, 1949 using historical numbers from May 16, 1949, the date on which the TSE was reopened. The divisor was 24.341 as of October 30, 2007 and is subject to periodic adjustments as set forth below. Each weight factor is computed by dividing ¥50 by the par value of the relevant Nikkei underlying stock, so that the share price of each Nikkei underlying stock, when multiplied by its weight factor, corresponds to a share price based on a uniform par value of ¥50. The stock prices used in the calculation of the NKY are those reported by a primary market for the Nikkei underlying stocks (currently the TSE). The level of the NKY is calculated once per minute during TSE trading hours.
 
In order to maintain continuity in the NKY in the event of certain changes due to non-market factors affecting the Nikkei underlying stocks, such as the addition or deletion of stocks, substitution of stocks, stock splits or distributions of assets to stockholders, the divisor used in calculating the NKY is adjusted in a manner designed to prevent any instantaneous change or discontinuity in the level of the NKY. Thereafter, the divisor remains at the new value until a further adjustment is necessary as the result of another change. As a result of such change affecting any Nikkei underlying stock, the divisor is adjusted in such a way that the sum of all share prices immediately after such change multiplied by the applicable weight factor and divided by the new divisor (i.e., the level of the NKY immediately after such change) will equal the level of the NKY immediately prior to the change.
 
A Nikkei underlying stock may be deleted or added by NKS. Any stock becoming ineligible for listing in the First Section of the TSE due to any of the following reasons will be deleted from the Nikkei underlying stocks: (i) bankruptcy of the issuer, (ii) merger of the issuer with, or acquisition of the issuer by, another company, (iii) delisting of such stock, (iv) transfer of such stock to the “Seiri−Post” because of excess debt of the issuer or because of any other reason or (v) transfer of such stock to the Second Section. In addition, a component stock transferred to the “Kanri−Post” (Posts for stocks under supervision) is in principle a candidate for deletion. Nikkei underlying stocks with relatively low liquidity, based on trading value and rate of price fluctuation over the past five years, may be deleted by NKS. Upon deletion of a stock from the Nikkei underlying stocks, NKS will select a replacement for such deleted Nikkei underlying stock in accordance with certain criteria. In an exceptional case, a newly listed stock in the First Section of the TSE that is recognized by NKS to be representative of a market may be added to the Nikkei underlying stocks. In such a case, an existing underlying stock with low trading volume and deemed not to be representative of a market will be deleted by NKS.
 
A list of the issuers of the Nikkei underlying stocks constituting the NKY is available from the Nikkei Economic Electronic Databank System and from the Stock Market Indices Data Book published by NKS.
 
License Agreement with Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc.
 

17


We have entered into a nonexclusive license agreement providing for the license to us, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use certain indices owned and published by NKS in connection with some securities, including the notes. The copyrights on “Nikkei 225” and the intellectual property rights and any other rights relating to labels such as “Nikkei” and “Nikkei 225” all belong to NKS. NKS may change the content of “Nikkei 225” and suspend publication thereof. The responsibility for executing the business matters pursuant to the licensing agreement shall rest solely with us and NKS shall not have any obligation or responsibility therefor.
 
The Tokyo Stock Exchange
 
The TSE is one of the world’s largest securities exchanges in terms of market capitalization. Trading hours are currently from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tokyo time, Monday through Friday.
 
Due to the time zone difference, on any normal trading day the TSE will close prior to the opening of business in New York City on the same calendar day. Therefore, the final level of the NKY on a trading day will generally be available in the United States by the opening of business on the same calendar day.
 
The TSE has adopted certain measures, including daily price floors and ceilings on individual stocks, intended to prevent any extreme short-term price fluctuations resulting from order imbalances. In general, any stock listed on the TSE cannot be traded at a price lower than the applicable price floor or higher than the applicable price ceiling. These price floors and ceilings are expressed in absolute Japanese yen, rather than percentage limits based on the closing price of the stock on the previous trading day. In addition, when there is a major order imbalance in a listed stock, the TSE posts a “special bid quote” or a “special asked quote” for that stock at a specified higher or lower price level than the stock’s last sale price in order to solicit counter orders and balance supply and demand for the stock. The TSE may suspend the trading of individual stocks in certain limited and extraordinary circumstances, including, for example, unusual trading activity in that stock. As a result, changes in the NKY may be limited by price limitations or special quotes, or by suspension of trading, on individual stocks that make up the NKY, and these limitations, in turn, may adversely affect the value of the notes.
 
Historical Performance of the NKY 
 
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low intra-day levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of NKY for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through September 28, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007. The closing level of the NKY on November 9, 2007 was 15,583.42. We obtained the data in the following table from Bloomberg Financial Service, without independent verification by us. Historical levels of NKY should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given that the level of NKY will increase relative to the index starting level during
 
Quarter Ending
Quarterly High
Quarterly Low
Quarterly Close
March 31, 2004
11,869.00
10,299.43
11,715.39
June 30, 2004
12,195.66
10,489.84
11,858.87
September 30, 2004
11,988.12
10,545.89
10,823.57
December 31, 2004
11,500.95
10,575.23
11,488.76
March 31, 2005
11,975.46
11,212.63
11,668.95
June 30, 2005
11,911.90
10,770.58
11,584.01
September 30, 2005
13,678.44
11,540.93
13,574.30
December 30, 2005
16,445.56
12,996.29
16,111.43
March 31, 2006
17,125.64
15,059.52
17,059.66
June 30, 2006
17,563.37
14,045.53
15,505.18
September 30, 2006
16,414.94
14,437.24
16,127.58
December 29, 2006
17,301.69
15,615.56
17,225.83
March 30, 2007
18,300.39
16,532.91
17,287.65
June 29, 2007
18,297.00
16,999.05
18,138.36
September 28, 2007
18,295.27
15,262.10
16,785.69
October 1, 2007 through
November 9, 2007
17,488.97
15,566.12
15,583.42


18



The NASDAQ 100 Index® (“NDX”)

The NDX was developed by Nasdaq. The NDX is determined and calculated by Nasdaq and was first published in January 1985. To be eligible for inclusion in the NDX, a security must be traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC and meet the other eligibility criteria, including the following: the security’s U.S. listing must be exclusively on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or the NASDAQ Global Market (unless the security was dually listed on another U.S. market prior to January 1, 2004 and has continuously maintained such listing), the security must be of a non-financial company; only one class of security per issuer is allowed; the security may not be issued by an issuer currently in bankruptcy proceedings; the security must have an average daily trading volume of at least 200,000 shares; the security must have “seasoned” on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC or another recognized market (generally a company is considered to be seasoned by Nasdaq if it has been listed on a market for at least two years; in the case of spin-offs, the operating history of the spin-off will be considered); if the security would otherwise qualify to be in the top 25% of the securities included in the NDX by market capitalization for the six prior consecutive month ends, then a one-year “seasoning” criteria would apply; if the security is of a foreign issuer, it must have listed options or be eligible for listed-options trading; the issuer of the security may not have annual financial statements with an audit opinion which the auditor or the company have indicated cannot be currently relied upon; and the issuer of the security may not have entered into a definitive agreement or other arrangement which would result in the security no longer being listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC within the next six months.
 
In addition, to be eligible for continued inclusion in the NDX, the following criteria apply: the security’s U.S. listing must be exclusively on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or the NASDAQ Global Market (unless the security was dually listed on another U.S. market prior to January 1, 2004 and has continuously maintained such listing); the security must be of a non-financial company; the security may not be issued by an issuer currently in bankruptcy proceedings; the security must have an average daily trading volume of at least 200,000 shares; if the security is of a foreign issuer, it must have listed options or be eligible for listed-options trading; the issuer of the security may not have annual financial statements with an audit opinion which the auditor or the company have indicated cannot be currently relied upon; and the security must have an adjusted market capitalization equal to or exceeding 0.10% of the aggregate adjusted market capitalization of the NDX at each month end. In the event a company does not meet this criterion for two consecutive month ends, it will be removed from the NDX effective after the close of trading on the third Friday of the following month.
 
The securities in the NDX are monitored every day by Nasdaq with respect to changes in total shares outstanding arising from secondary offerings, stock repurchases, conversions or other corporate actions. Nasdaq has adopted the following quarterly scheduled weight adjustment procedures with respect to such changes. If the change in total shares outstanding arising from such corporate action is greater than or equal to 5.0%, such change is made to the NDX on the evening prior to the effective date of such corporate action or as soon as practical thereafter. Otherwise, if the change in total shares outstanding is less than 5.0%, then all such changes are accumulated and made effective at one time on a quarterly basis after the close of trading on the third Friday in each of March, June, September and December. In either case, the NASDAQ-100 Index® share weights for such NDX component securities are adjusted by the same percentage amount by which the total shares outstanding have changed in such NDX component securities.
 
Additionally, Nasdaq may periodically (ordinarily, several times per quarter) replace one or more component securities in the NDX due to mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies or other market conditions, or due to delisting if an issuer chooses to list its securities on another marketplace, or if the issuers of such component securities fail to meet the criteria for continued inclusion in the NDX.
 
The NDX share weights are also subject, in certain cases, to a rebalancing. Ordinarily, whenever there is a change in the NDX share weights or a change in a component security included in the NDX, Nasdaq adjusts the divisor to assure that there is no discontinuity in the value of the NDX which might otherwise be caused by such change.
 
Calculation Methodology  
 
The NDX is a modified capitalization-weighted index of 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. The NDX constitutes a broadly diversified segment of the largest securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC and includes companies across a variety of major industry groups. The exact formula is:
 
 
At any moment in time, the value of the NDX equals the aggregate value of the then-current NDX share weights of each of the NDX component securities, which are based on the total shares outstanding of each such NDX component security, multiplied by each such security’s respective last sale price on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (which may be the official closing price published by The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC), and divided by a scaling factor (the “divisor”), which becomes the basis for the reported NDX value. The divisor serves the purpose of scaling such aggregate value (otherwise in the trillions) to a lower order of magnitude which is more desirable for NDX reporting purposes.
 

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Historical Performance of the NDX
 
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low intra-day levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of NDX for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through September 28, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007. The closing level of the NDX on November 9, 2007 was 2,034.30. We obtained the data in the following table from Bloomberg Financial Service, without independent verification by us. Historical levels of NDX should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given that the level of NDX will increase relative to the index starting level during the term of the notes.
 
Quarter Ending
Quarterly High
Quarterly Low
Quarterly Close
March 31, 2004
1,559.47
1,368.08
1,438.41
June 30, 2004
1,523.48
1,372.46
1,516.64
September 30, 2004
1,514.82
1,301.93
1,412.74
December 31, 2004
1,635.70
1,416.29
1,621.12
March 31, 2005
1,635.45
1,458.26
1,482.53
June 30, 2005
1,568.96
1,394.36
1,493.52
September 30, 2005
1,628.57
1,484.18
1,601.66
December 30, 2005
1,716.65
1,515.42
1,645.20
March 31, 2006
1,761.46
1,633.62
1,703.66
June 30, 2006
1,750.23
1,511.53
1,575.23
September 30, 2006
1,666.03
1,446.77
1,654.13
December 31, 2006
1,824.21
1,623.07
1,756.90
March 30, 2007
1,851.47
1,710.97
1,772.36
June 29, 2007
1,948.58
1,761.65
1,934.10
September 28, 2007
2,101.96
1,805.66
2,091.11
October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007
2,239.23
2,033.88
2,034.30

 
License Agreement with Nasdaq
 
We have entered into a nonexclusive license agreement providing for the license to us, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use certain indices owned and published by Nasdaq in connection with some securities, including the notes.
 
The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (including its affiliates, “Nasdaq”). Nasdaq has not passed on the legality or suitability of, or the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and disclosures relating to, the notes. Nasdaq makes no representation or warranty, express or implied to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly, or the ability of the Nasdaq-100 Index® to track general stock market performance. Nasdaq’s only relationship to HSBC is in the licensing of the Nasdaq-100®, Nasdaq-100 Index®, Nasdaq-100 TrustSM, Nasdaq-100 SharesSM, Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking StockSM, QQQQSM and Nasdaq® trademarks or service marks, and certain trade names of Nasdaq, and the use of the Nasdaq-100 Index® which is determined, composed and calculated by Nasdaq without regard to HSBC or the notes. Nasdaq has no obligation to take the needs of the HSBC or the owners of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Nasdaq-100 Index®. Nasdaq is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the notes to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the notes are to be converted into cash. Nasdaq has no liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes.
 

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NASDAQ DOES NOT Guarantee the accuracy and/or uninterrupted calculation of the Nasdaq-100 index® or any data included therein. NASDAQ makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by HSBC, owners of the NOTES, or any other person or entity from the use of the Nasdaq-100 Index® or any data included therein. NASDAQ makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaim all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Nasdaq-100 Index® or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall NASDAQ have any liability for any lost profits or special, incidental, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
 

21



The FTSE™ 100 Index (“UKX”)

The UKX is an index calculated, published and disseminated by FTSE, a company owned equally by the London Stock Exchange (the “LSE”) and The Financial Times Limited (“FT”), in association with the Institute and the Faculty of Actuaries. The UKX measures the composite price performance of stocks of the largest 100 companies (determined on the basis of market capitalization) traded on the LSE. Publication of the UKX began in February 1984.
 
The UKX is calculated by (i) multiplying the per share price of each stock included in the UKX by the number of outstanding shares, (ii) calculating the sum of all these products (such sum referred to hereinafter as the “FTSE Aggregate Market Value”) as of the starting date of the UKX, (iii) dividing the FTSE Aggregate Market Value by a divisor which represents the FTSE Aggregate Market Value on the base date of the UKX and which can be adjusted to allow changes in the issued share capital of individual underlying stocks including the deletion and addition of stocks, the substitution of stocks, stock dividends and stock splits to be made without distorting the UKX and (iv) multiplying the result by 1,000. Because of such capitalization weighting, movements in share prices of companies with relatively larger market capitalization will have a greater effect on the level of the entire UKX than will movements in share prices of companies with relatively smaller market capitalization.
 
The 100 stocks included in the UKX (the “UKX Underlying Stocks”) were selected from a reference group of stocks trading on the LSE which were selected by excluding certain stocks that have low liquidity based on public float, accuracy and reliability of prices, size and number of trading days. The UKX Underlying Stocks were selected from this reference group by selecting 100 stocks with the largest market value. A list of the issuers of the UKX Underlying Stocks is available from FTSE. The UKX is reviewed quarterly by an Index Steering Committee of the LSE in order to maintain continuity in the level. The UKX Underlying Stocks may be replaced, if necessary, in accordance with deletion/addition rules which provide generally for the removal and replacement of a stock from the UKX if such stock is delisted or its issuer is subject to a takeover offer that has been declared unconditional or it has ceased, in the opinion of the Index Steering Committee, to be a viable component of the UKX. To maintain continuity, a stock will be added at the quarterly review if it has risen to 90th place or above and a stock will be deleted if at the quarterly review it has fallen to 111th place or below, in each case ranked on the basis of market capitalization.
 
Discontinuation of the UKX; Alteration of Method of Calculation
 
If FTSE discontinues publication of the UKX and FTSE or another entity publishes a successor or substitute index that the calculation agent determines to be comparable to the discontinued UKX (such index being referred to herein as a “FTSE successor index”), then the UKX closing level will be determined by reference to the level of such FTSE successor index at the close of trading on the relevant exchange or market for the FTSE successor index on the final Observation Date, applicable to the UKX. Upon any selection by the calculation agent of a FTSE successor index, the calculation agent will cause written notice thereof to be promptly furnished to the trustee, to us and to the holders of the notes.
 
If FTSE discontinues publication of the UKX prior to, and such discontinuation is continuing on, the final Observation Date, applicable to the UKX, and the calculation agent determines that no FTSE successor index is available at such time, or the calculation agent has previously selected a FTSE successor index and publication of such FTSE successor index is discontinued prior to, and such discontinuation is continuing on, the final Observation Date, applicable to the UKX, then the calculation agent will determine the UKX closing level for such date. The UKX closing level will be computed by the calculation agent in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the UKX or FTSE successor index, as applicable, last in effect prior to such discontinuation, using the closing price (or, if trading in the relevant securities has been materially suspended or materially limited, its good faith estimate of the closing price that would have prevailed but for such suspension or limitation) at the close of the principal trading session on such date of each security most recently composing the UKX or FTSE successor index, as applicable. Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, discontinuation of the publication of the UKX or FTSE successor index, as applicable, on the relevant exchange may adversely affect the value of the notes.
 
If at any time the method of calculating the UKX or a FTSE successor index, or the level thereof, is changed in a material respect, or if the UKX or a FTSE successor index is in any other way modified so that the UKX or such FTSE successor index does not, in the opinion of the calculation agent, fairly represent the level of the UKX or such FTSE successor index had such changes or modifications not been made, then the calculation agent will, at the close of business in New York City on each date on which the UKX closing level is to be determined, make such calculations and adjustments as may be necessary in order to arrive at a level of a stock index comparable to the UKX or such FTSE successor index, as the case may be, as if such changes or modifications had not been made, and the calculation agent will calculate the UKX closing level with reference to the UKX or such FTSE successor index, as adjusted. Accordingly, if the method of calculating the UKX or a FTSE successor index is modified so that the level of the UKX or such FTSE successor index is a fraction of what it would have been if there had been no such modification (e.g., due to a split in the UKX or such FTSE successor index), then the calculation agent will adjust the UKX or such FTSE successor index in order to arrive at a level of the UKX or such FTSE successor index as if there had been no such modification (e.g., as if such split had not occurred).
 
License Agreement with UKX
 

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We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with FTSE, whereby we and our affiliates and subsidiary companies and certain of our affiliates, in exchange for a fee, will be permitted to use the UKX, which is owned and published by FTSE, in connection with certain products, including the notes.
 
Neither FTSE, the LSE nor FT makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in structured products generally or in the notes particularly, or the ability of the UKX to track general stock market performance. FTSE, the LSE, and FT’s only relationship with us is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE, respectively, without regard to us or the notes. FTSE, the LSE and FT have no obligation to take the needs of us or the holders of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the UKX Neither FTSE nor the LSE nor FT is responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing, price or quantity of the notes to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the amount due at maturity of the notes. Neither FTSE nor the LSE nor FT has any obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes.
 
The notes are not in any way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE, the LSE or FT, and neither FTSE, the LSE nor FT makes any warranty or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to the results to be obtained from the use of the UKX and/or the figure at which the said Component stands at any particular time on any particular day or otherwise. The UKX is compiled and calculated by FTSE. However, neither FTSE, the LSE nor FT shall be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to any person for any error in the UKX and neither FTSE nor the LSE nor FT shall be under any obligation to advise any person of any error therein.
 
“FTSE®”, “FT-SE®” and “Footsie®” are trade marks of the London Stock Exchange Plc and The Financial Times Limited and are used by FTSE International Limited under license. “All-World”, “All-Share” and “All-Small” are trade marks of FTSE International Limited.
 
Historical Performance of the UKX
 
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low intra-day levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of UKX for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through September 28, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007. The closing level of the UKX on November 9, 2007 was 6,304.90. We obtained the data in the following table from Bloomberg Financial Service, without independent verification by us. Historical levels of UKX should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given that the level of UKX will increase relative to the index starting level during the term of the notes.
 
Quarter Ending
Quarterly High
Quarterly Low
Quarterly Close
March 31, 2004
4,566.20
4,291.30
4,385.70
June 30, 2004
4,601.60
4,363.00
4,464.10
September 30, 2004
4,630.70
4,283.00
4,570.80
December 31, 2004
4,826.20
4,551.60
4,814.30
March 31, 2005
5,077.80
4,765.40
4,894.40
June 30, 2005
5,138.20
4,773.70
5,113.20
September 30, 2005
5,508.40
5,022.10
5,477.70
December 30, 2005
5,647.20
5,130.90
5,618.80
March 31, 2006
6,047.00
5,618.80
5,964.60
June 30, 2006
6,137.10
5,467.40
5,833.40
September 30, 2006
6,002.90
5,654.60
5,960.80
December 29, 2006
6,271.40
5,897.30
6,220.80
March 30, 2007
6,451.40
5,989.60
6,308.00
June 29, 2007
6,751.30
6,293.90
6,607.90
September 28, 2007
6,754.10
5,821.70
6,466.80
October 1, 2007 through
November 9, 2007
6,751.70
6,268.90
6,304.90


23



The MSCI® Emerging Markets IndexSM (“MXEF”)

The MXEF Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. As of September 4, 2007, the index comprised 29 emerging market economies, which were Argentina, Bermuda, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey.
 
As of September 4, 2007, the MXEF Index was weighted by sector as follows:
 
Weights
Financial
21.71%
Energy
14.77%
Basic Materials
12.73%
Communications
13.02%
Industrial.
11.71%
Technology
8.24%
Consumer, Non-cyclical.
6.13%
Consumer, Cyclical
5.96%
Utilities
3.28%
Diversified
2.07%
Grand Total
100.00%

The MXEF Index is part of a series of indices sponsored by MSCI called the “MSCI Standard Index series.”
 
Constructing the MSCI Standard Index Series
 
MSCI undertakes an index construction process which involves:
 
 
·
Defining the equity universe.
 
 
·
Adjusting the total market capitalization of all securities in the universe for free floating available to foreign investors.
 
 
·
Classifying the universe of securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”).
 
 
·
Selecting securities for inclusion according to MSCI’s index construction rules and guidelines.
 
Defining the Equity Universe
 
The index construction process starts at the country level, with the identification of the universe of investment opportunities.
 
MSCI classifies each company and its securities in one and only one country. This allows securities to be sorted distinctly by their respective countries. In general, companies and their respective securities are classified as belonging to the country in which they are incorporated. All listed equity securities, or listed securities that exhibit characteristics of equity securities, except investment trusts, mutual funds and equity derivatives, are eligible for inclusion in the universe. Generally, only equity or equity-like securities that are listed in the country of classification are included in the universe.
 
 
After identifying the universe of securities, MSCI calculates the free float-adjusted market capitalization of each security in that universe. The process of free floating-adjusting market capitalization involves:
 
 
·
Defining and estimating the free float available to foreign investors for each security, using MSCI’s definition of free float.
 
 
·
Assigning a free float-adjustment factor to each security.
 

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·
Calculating the free float-adjustment market capitalization of each security.
 
MSCI defines the free float of a security as the proportion of shares outstanding that are deemed to be available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. In practice, limitations on free float available to international investors include:
 
 
·
Strategic and other shareholdings not considered part of available free float.
 
 
·
Limits on share ownership for foreign investors.
 
 
·
Other foreign investment restrictions.
 
MSCI’s estimation of free float is based solely on publicly available shareholder information obtained from multiple information sources. For each security, all available shareholdings are considered where public data is available, regardless of the size of the shareholding. Construction may be conducted with analysts, other industry experts and official company contracts, particularly where disclosure standards or data quality make the estimation of free float difficult.
 
 
In addition to the free floating-adjustment of market capitalization, all securities in the universe are assigned to the industry that best describes their business activities. To this end, MSCI has designed, in conjunction with S&P, the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”). The comprehensive classification scheme provides a universal approach to industries worldwide and forms the basis for achieving MSCI’s objective of reflecting broad and fair representation in its indexes.
 
GICS consists of 10 sectors, 24 industry groups, 67 industries and 147 sub-industries. Each company is assigned to one sub-industry. The GICS guidelines used to determine the appropriate industry classification are:
 
 
·
A security is classified in a sub-industry according to the business activities that generate approximately 60% or more of the company’s revenues.
 
 
·
A company engaged in two or more substantially different business activities, none of which contributes 60% or more of revenues, is classified in the sub-industry that provides the majority of both the company’s revenues and earnings.
 
 
·
Where the above guidelines cannot be applied, or are considered inappropriate, further analysis is conducted, and other factors are analyzed to determine an appropriate classification.
 
Selecting Securities for Index Inclusion
 
In order to ensure a broad and fair representation in the indexes of the diversity of business activities in the universe, MSCI follows a “bottom-up” approach to index construction, building indexes from the industry group level up. The bottom-up approach to index construction requires a thorough analysis and understanding of the characteristics of the universe. This analysis drives the individual security selection decisions, which aim to reflect the overall features of the universe in the country index.
 
MSCI targets an 85% free float-adjusted market representation level within each industry group, within each country. The security selection process within each industry group is based on the careful analysis of:
 
 
·
Each company’s business activities and the diversification that its securities would bring to the index.
 
 
·
The size (based on free float-adjusted market capitalization) and liquidity of securities. All other things being equal, MSCI targets for inclusion the most sizable and liquid securities in an industry group. In addition, securities that do not meet the minimum size guidelines discussed below and/or securities with inadequate liquidity are not considered for inclusion.
 
 
·
The estimated free float for the company and its individual share classes. Only securities of companies with an estimated overall and/or security free float greater than 15% are, in general, considered for inclusion.
 
Maintaining the MSCI Standard Index Series
 
Overall, index maintenance can be described by three broad categories of implementation of changes.
 
 
·
Annual full country index reviews that systematically re-assess the various dimensions of the equity universe for all countries and are conducted on a fixed annual timetable.
 
 
·
Quarterly index reviews, aimed at promptly reflecting other significant market events.
 
 
·
Ongoing event-related changes, such as mergers and acquisitions, which are generally implemented in the indexes rapidly as they occur.
 

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Potential changes in the status of countries (standalone, emerging, developed) follow their own separate timetables. These changes are normally implemented in one or more phases at the regular annual full country index review and quarterly index review dates.
 
Annual Full Country Index Review
 
The objective of the annual full country review, which is carried out every May, is to systematically re-assess the various dimensions of the equity universe for all countries on a fixed annual timetable. This includes a re-appraisal of the free float-adjusted industry group representation within a country, a detailed review of the shareholder information used to estimate free float for constituent and non-constituent securities, updating of minimum size guidelines for new and existing constituents, as well as changes typically considered for a quarterly index review as discussed below.
 
Quarterly Index Review
 
The quarterly index review process is designed to ensure that the indexes continue to be an accurate reflection of the evolving equity marketplace. This is achieved by rapidly reflecting significant market driven changes that were not captured in the index at the time of their actual occurrence and that should not wait until the annual full country index review due to their importance.
 
During a quarterly index review, securities may be added to or deleted from a country index for a variety of reasons including the following:
 
 
·
Additions or deletions of securities, due to one or more industry groups having become significant over- or under-represented as a result of mergers, acquisitions, restructuring and other major market events affecting that industry group.
 
 
·
Additions or deletions resulting from changes in industry classification, significant increases or decreases in free float, and relaxation/removal or decreases of foreign ownership limitations not implemented immediately.
 
 
·
Replacement of companies, which are no longer suitable industry representatives.
 
 
·
Deletion of securities whose company and/or security free float has fallen to less than 15%.
 
 
·
Deletion of securities that have become very small or illiquid.
 
 
·
Replacement of securities (additions or deletions) resulting from the review of price source for constituents with both domestic and foreign board quotations.
 
 
·
Additions or deletions of securities as a result of other market events.
 
Ongoing Event-Related Changes
 
Ongoing event-related changes to the indexes are the result of mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, reorganizations and other similar corporate events. Ongoing event-related charges can also result from capital reorganizations in the form of rights issues, bonus issues, public placements and other similar corporate actions that take place on a continuing basis. These changes are reflected in the indexes at the time of the event.
 
Announcement Policy
 
The results of the annual full country index review are announced at least two weeks in advance of their effective implementation dates as of the close of the last business day of May.
 
The results of the quarterly index reviews are announced at least two weeks in advance of their effective implementation dates as of the close of the last business day of February, August and November.
 
All changes resulting from the corporate events are announced prior to their implementations.
 
The changes are typically announced at least ten business days prior to these changes becoming effective in the indexes as an “expected” announcement, or as an “undetermined” announcement, when the effective dates are not known yet or when aspects of the event are uncertain. MSCI sends “confirmed” announcements at least two business days prior to events becoming effective in the indexes, provided that all necessary public information concerning the event is available. The full list of all new and pending changes is delivered to clients on a daily basis, at 5:30 PM U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
 
In exceptional cases, events are announced during market hours for same or next day implementation. Announcements made by MSCI during market hours are usually linked to late company disclosure of corporate events or unexpected changes to previously announced corporate events.
 

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In the case of large secondary offerings for existing constituents, where possible, these changes will be announced prior to the end of a relevant subscription period and a subsequent announcement confirming the details of the event (including the date of implementation) will be made as soon as the results are available.
 
Both equity offerings and secondary offerings for U.S. securities will be confirmed through an announcement during market hours for same or next day implementation, as the completion of the events cannot be confirmed prior to the notification of the pricing.
 
Early deletions of constituents due to bankruptcy or other significant cases are announced as soon as practicable.
 
 
MSCI and HSBC have agreed to enter into a non-exclusive license agreement providing for the license to HSBC, and certain of its affiliates, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use the MSCI Emerging Markets Index in connection with securities, including the notes. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is owned and published by MSCI.
 
The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI or any affiliate of MSCI. Neither MSCI nor any other party makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes or the ability of the MSCI Indices to track general stock market performance. MSCI is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of MSCI and of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by MSCI without regard to the notes or HSBC MSCI has no obligation to take the needs of HSBC or the owners of this security into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. MSCI is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, pricing at or quantities of this security or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which this security is redeemable for cash. Neither MSCI nor any other party has any obligation or liability to owners of the notes in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes.
 
ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI INDICES FROM SOURCES WHICH MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NEITHER MSCI NOR ANY OTHER PARTY GUARANTEES THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDICES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NEITHER MSCI NOR ANY OTHER PARTY MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, LICENSEE’S CUSTOMERS OR COUNTERPARTIES, OWNERS OF THE PRODUCTS OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDICES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED HEREUNDER OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. FURTHER, NEITHER MSCI NOR ANY OTHER PARTY MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND MSCI HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDICES AND ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NEITHER MSCI NOR ANY OTHER PARTY SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE MSCI INDICES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MSCI OR ANY OTHER PARTY HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
 
No purchaser, seller or holder of the notes, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to MSCI’s trade name, trade mark or service mark rights to the designations Morgan Stanley Capital International®, MSCI®, Morgan Stanley Capital International Perspective®, to sponsor, endorse, market or promote the notes without first contacting MSCI to determined whether MSCI’s permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.
 
Historical Performance of the MXEF
 
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low intra-day levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of MXEF for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through September 28, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007. The closing level of the MXEF on November 9, 2007 was 1,278.03. We obtained the data in the following table from Bloomberg Financial Service, without independent verification by us. Historical levels of MXEF should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given that the level of MXEF will increase relative to the index starting level during
 
Quarter Ending
Quarterly High
Quarterly Low
Quarterly Close
March 31, 2004
489.77
442.95
482.06
June 30, 2004
498.68
394.58
432.20
September 30, 2004
467.71
416.39
464.15
December 31, 2004
542.55
462.42
542.17
 
27

 
March 31, 2005
590.28
517.39
548.69
June 30, 2005
573.07
524.91
565.17
September 30, 2005
661.32
560.80
661.32
December 30, 2005
709.57
601.27
706.48
March 31, 2006
793.45
704.40
787.80
June 30, 2006
883.53
663.54
747.54
September 30, 2006
791.49
707.56
778.17
December 29, 2006
913.94
767.08
912.65
March 30, 2007
945.04
841.96
929.03
June 29, 2007
1,070.03
926.59
1,059.69
September 28, 2007
1,210.24
934.57
1,204.90
October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007
1,345.18
1,206.30
1,278.03

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The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (“HSCEI”)

The HSCEI is compiled, published and managed by HSI Services Limited and was first calculated and published on August 8, 1994. The HSCEI was launched as a market-capitalization weighted index, consisting of all the Hong Kong listed H-shares of Chinese enterprises one year after the first H share company was listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Ltd. H-shares are Hong Kong listed shares, traded in Hong Kong dollars, of Chinese state-owned enterprises. With the launch of the 200-stock Hang Seng Composite Index (“HSCI”) on October 3, 2001, the HSCEI became part of the Hang Seng Composite Index Series (the “HSCI Series”). Since then, constituents of the HSCEI comprise only the largest H-share companies which are included in the 200-stock HSCI. The HSCEI had a base index of 1,000 at launch, but on October 3, 2001 with the launch of the HSCI Series, the HSCEI was rebased with a value of 2,000 at January 3, 2000 to align with the HSCI Series. The HSCEI is reviewed semi-annually together with the HSCI Series. H-Share companies joining or leaving the HSCI are automatically included or excluded from the HSCEI.
 
To be included in the HSCI and be eligible for inclusion in the HSCEI, a stock must have a primary listing on the main board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and the issuer must not have a secondary listing in Hong Kong, stocks listed on the Growth Enterprises Market, or preference shares, debt securities, or other derivatives. A stock is removed from the HSCI if (a) it had more than 20 trading days without turnover over the past 12 months, excluding days when the stock is suspended from trading, or (b) if the stock’s 12-month average market capitalization ranks fall to the 240th position or below. Stocks with less than one year listing history will be counted on a pro-rata basis. A stock is added to HSCI if (a) it has had less than 20 trading days without turnover over the past 12 months, excluding days when the stock is suspended from trading, and (b) the stock’s 12-month average market capitalization ranks rises to the 160th position or better. The number of constituent stocks in the HSCI is fixed at 200, so the next highest ranking stock will be added or the next lowest ranking constituents will be removed if the numbers of stocks that leave and join the HSCI are not the same.
 
The calculation methodology of the HSCEI changed on March 6, 2006 to a free float-adjusted market capitalization methodology. This free float adjustment aims to exclude from the HSCEI calculation long-term core shareholdings that are not readily available for trading. A free float-adjusted factor, which represents the proportion of shares that are free-floating as a percentage of issued shares, is now used to adjust the number of shares for index calculation. A 15% cap on individual stock weights is also applied to assure no one stock dominates the HSCEI.
 
License Agreement with Hang Seng Data Services Limited
 
The HSCEI is published and compiled by HSI Services Limited pursuant to a license from Hang Seng Data Services Limited. The marks and names “The Hang Seng Index®” and “The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index®” are proprietary to Hang Seng Data Services Limited. HSI Services Limited and Hang Seng Data Services Limited have agreed to the use of, and reference to, the Index by HSBC in connection with the notes, but neither HSI Services Limited nor Hang Seng Data Services Limited warrants or represents or guarantees to any broker or holder of the notes or any other person (i) the accuracy or completeness of any of the Index and its computation or any information related thereto; or (ii) the fitness or suitability for any purpose of any of the Index or any component or data comprised in it; or (iii) the results which may be obtained by any person from the use of any of the Index or any component or data comprised in it for any purpose, and no warranty or representation or guarantee of any kind whatsoever relating to any of the Index is given or may be implied. The process and basis of computation and compilation of any of the Index and any of the related formula or formulae, constituent stocks and factors may at any time be changed or altered by HSI Services Limited without notice. To the extent permitted by applicable law, no responsibility or liability is accepted by HSI Services Limited or Hang Seng Data Services Limited (i) in respect of the use of and/or reference to any of the Index by HSBC in connection with the notes; or (ii) for any inaccuracies, omissions, mistakes or errors of HSI Services Limited in the computation of any of the Index; or (iii) for any inaccuracies, omissions, mistakes, errors or incompleteness of any information used in connection with the computation of any of the Index which is supplied by any other person; or (iv) for any economic or other loss which may be directly or indirectly sustained by any broker or holder of the notes or any other person dealing with the notes as a result of any of the aforesaid, and no claims, actions or legal proceedings may be brought against HSI Services Limited and/or Hang Seng Data Services Limited in connection with the notes in any manner whatsoever by any broker, holder or other person dealing with the notes. Any broker, holder or other person dealing with the notes does so therefore in full knowledge of this disclaimer and can place no reliance whatsoever on HSI Services Limited and Hang Seng Data Services Limited. For the avoidance of doubt, this disclaimer does not create any contractual or quasi-contractual relationship between any broker, holder or other person and HSI Services Limited and/or Hang Seng Data Services Limited and must not be construed to have created such relationship.
 
Historical Performance of the HSCEI
 
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low intra-day levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of HSCEI for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through September 28, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007. The closing level of the HSCEI on November 9, 2007 was 17,704.08. We obtained the data in the following table from Bloomberg Financial Service, without independent verification by us. Historical levels of HSCEI should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given that the level of HSCEI will increase relative to the index starting level during the term of the securities.
 

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Quarter Ending
Quarterly High
Quarterly Low
Quarterly Close
March 31, 2004
5,440.75
1,475.25
4,778.13
June 30, 2004
5,053.89
3,501.95
4,291.02
September 30, 2004
4,701.59
3,949.46
4,649.66
December 31, 2004
5,020.07
4,429.21
4,741.32
March 31, 2005
5,166.97
4,460.95
4,792.77
June 30, 2005
4,914.65
4,485.45
4,861.87
September 30, 2005
5,541.76
4,791.09
5,227.28
December 30, 2005
5,384.13
4,663.75
5,330.34
March 31, 2006
6,794.76
5,318.92
6,703.78
June 30, 2006
7,468.01
5,864.40
6,784.60
September 30, 2006
7,190.50
6,512.47
7,097.25
December 29, 2006
10,455.45
7,033.36
10,340.36
March 30, 2007
10,877.99
8,426.81
9,616.21
June 29, 2007
12,357.32
9,594.70
12,001.12
September 28, 2007
17,126.67
10,253.29
17,017.94
October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007
20,609.10
16,536.61
17,704.08

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The KOSPI 200 Index (“KOSP12”)

The KOSPI2 is a capitalization-weighted index of 200 Korean blue-chip stocks which make up a large majority of the total market value of the Korea Exchange (“KSE”). The KOSPI2 is the underlying index for stock index futures and options trading. The constituent stocks are selected on the basis of the market value of the individual stocks, liquidity and their relative positions in their respective industry groups.
 
Selection Criteria
 
All common stocks listed on the KSE as of the periodic realignment date will be included in the selection process, except for the stocks which fall into one of the following categories:
 
• stocks with administrative issues;
 
• stocks with liquidation issues;
 
• stocks issued by securities investment companies;
 
• stocks that have been listed less than one year as of the last trading in April of the year in which the periodic review and selection process occurs;
 
• stocks belonging to the industry groups other than those industry groups listed below;
 
• a constituent stock merged into a non-constituent stock;
 
• a company established as a result of a merger between two constituent stocks; and
 
• any other stocks that are deemed unsuitable to be included in the constituents of the KOSPI2.
 
The companies listed on the KOSPI 200 are classified into the following industry groups: (i) fisheries, (ii) mining, (iii) manufacturing, (iv) construction, (v) electricity and gas, (vi) services, (vii) post and communication and (viii) finance. The constituents of the KOSPI2 are selected first from the non-manufacturing industry cluster, and then from the manufacturing industry cluster. The constituents from the non-manufacturing industry cluster are selected in accordance with the following:
 
• Selection is made in descending order of market capitalization, from large to small, in the same industry group, while ensuring the accumulated market capitalization of the concerned industry group is within 70% of that of all industry groups.
 
• Notwithstanding the above, the stocks whose ranking of trading volume in descending order is below 85% of the stocks included in deliberation within the same industry group are excluded. In such case, the excluded stock is replaced by a stock that is next in ranking in market capitalization, but satisfies the trading volume criteria.
 
The constituents from the manufacturing industry cluster are selected in descending order of market capitalization, while excluding stocks whose ranking of trading volume in descending order is below 85% of the stocks included in the process within the same industry group. The excluded stock is replaced by a stock that is next in ranking in market capitalization, but satisfies the trading volume criteria.
 
Notwithstanding anything above, if a stock whose market capitalization is within the top 50 in terms of market capitalization, such stock may be included in the constituents of the KOSPI2, by taking into consideration the influence that the industry group has on the KOSPI2, as well as the liquidity of the concerned stock. Stocks to be placed on the replacement list are selected from the stocks included for deliberation, excluding those already selected as constituents of the KOSPI2.
 
KOSPI2 Calculation
 
The KOSPI2 is computed by multiplying (i) the market capitalization as of the calculation time divided by the market capitalization as of the base date, by (ii) 100. The base date of the KOSPI2 is January 3, 1990 with a base index of 100. Market capitalization is obtained by multiplying the number of listed common shares of the constituents by the price of the concerned common share.
 
If the number of listed shares increases due to rights offering, bonus offering and stock dividend, which accompany ex-right or ex-dividend, such increase is included in the number of listed shares on the ex-right date or ex-dividend date. Share prices refer to the market price established during the regular trading session. If no trading took place on such day, quotation price is used and if no quotation price is available, the closing price of the most recent trading day is used.
 
Stock Revision
 
The constituents of the KOSPI 200 are realigned once a year while observing each of the following:

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• An existing constituent will not be removed if the ranking of the market capitalization of such stock is within 100/110 of the ranking of the KOSPI 200 constituents of the same industry group;
 
• In order to be included in the constituents of the KOSPI 200, the ranking of the market capitalization of a stock must be within 90/100 of the ranking of the KOSPI 200 constituents of the same industry group;
 
• If the ranking of the market capitalization of an existing constituent falls below 100/110 of the ranking of the KOSPI 200 constituents of the same industry group, but there is no stock satisfying the requirement specified in the preceding clause, the existing constituent will not be removed; and
 
• When removing the existing constituents, a constituent whose ranking of market capitalization within the same industry group is the lowest will be removed first. The periodic realignment date is the trading day following the last trading day of June contracts in the KOSPI 200 index futures and index options. With respect to any component security in the KOSPI 200, if any of the following events occur, such component security shall be removed from the KOSPI 200 and the removal date is as follows:
 
• Delisting: the trading day following the delisting date;
 
• Designation as administrative issue: the designation date;
 
• Merger: the day of trading halt; and
 
• It is determined that the stock is unsuitable as a component security of the KOSPI 200: the trading day following the day of such determination, which is the last trading day of the nearest month contracts of both the index futures and index options, after the date of such decision.
 
When realigning the component securities of the KOSPI 200, the replacement stocks are chosen from the replacement list in accordance with the rank order. In the case of an industry group that has no stock listed on the replacement list, a replacement stock is chosen from the replacement list of manufacturing industry cluster.
 
The Korea Exchange
 
The KSE’s predecessor, the Daehan Stock Exchange, was established in 1956. The KSE is a typical order-driven market, where buy and sell orders compete for best prices. The KSE seeks to maintain a fair and orderly market for trading and regulates and supervises its member firms. Throughout the trading hours, orders are matched at a price satisfactory to both buy and sell sides, according to price and time priorities. The opening and closing prices, however, are determined by call auctions; at the market opening and closing, orders received for a certain period of time are pooled and matched at the price at which the most number of shares can be executed. The KSE uses electronic trading procedures, from order placement to trade confirmation. The KSE is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Korean time, during weekdays. Investors can submit their orders from 8:00 a.m., one hour before the market opening. Orders delivered to the market during the period from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. are queued in the order book and matched by call auction method at 9:00 a.m. to determine opening prices. After opening prices are determined, the trades are conducted by continuous auctions until 2:50 p.m. (10 minutes before the market closing).
 
Besides the regular session, the KSE conducts pre-hours and after-hours sessions for block trading and basket trading. During pre-hours sessions from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., orders are matched at the previous day’s respective closing prices. After-hours sessions are open for 50 minutes from 3:10 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. During after-hours sessions, orders are matched at the closing prices of the day.
 
On January 26, 2004, the KSE introduced the random-end system at the opening and closing call auctions. The stated purpose of the random-end system is to prevent any distortion in the price discovery function of the KSE caused by “fake” orders placed with an intention of misleading other investors. In cases where the highest or lowest indicative price of a stock set during the last 5 minutes before the closing time of the opening (or closing) call session, 8:55-9:00 a.m. (or 2:55-3:00 p.m.), deviates from the provisional opening (or closing) price by 5% or more, the KSE delays the determination of the opening (or closing) price of the stock up to five minutes. The official opening (or closing) price of such stock is determined at a randomly chosen time within five minutes after the regular opening (or closing) time. The KSE makes public the indicative prices during the opening (or closing) call trading sessions. Pooling together all bids and offers placed during the order receiving hours for the opening (or closing) session, 8:10-9:00 a.m. (or 2:50-3:00 p.m.), the indicative opening (or closing) prices of all stocks are released to the public on a real-time basis.
 
The KSE sets a limit on the range that the price of individual stocks can change during a day. As of June 2004, that limit was set at 15%, which meant that the price of each stock could neither fall nor rise by more than 15% from the previous day’s closing price. In addition, when the price and/or trading activities of a stock are expected to show an abnormal movement in response to an unidentified rumor or news, or when an abnormal movement is observed in the market, the KSE may halt the trading of the stock. In such cases, the KSE requests the company concerned to make a disclosure regarding the matter. Once the company makes an official announcement regarding the matter, trading can resume within an hour; however, if the KSE deems that the situation was not fully resolved by the disclosure, trading resumption may be delayed. The KSE introduced circuit breakers in December 1998. The trading in the equity markets is halted for 20 minutes when the KOSPI 200 falls by 10% or more from the previous day’s closing and the situation lasts for one minute or longer. The trading resumes by call auction where the orders submitted during the 10 minutes after the trading halt ended are matched at a single price. 
 

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License Agreement with the Korea Exchange:
 
HSBC USA Inc. has entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with KSE, whereby HSBC and its affiliates and subsidiary companies, in exchange for a fee, will be permitted to use the KOSPI2, which is owned and published by KSE, in connection with certain products, including the notes.
 
The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the KSE. KSE not passed on the legality or appropriateness of, or the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and disclosures relating to the Notes. KSE makes no representation or warranty, express or implied to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly, or the ability of the KOSPI2 to track general stock market performance. KSE has no relationship to HSBC other than the licensing of the KOSPI2 and the related trademarks for use in connection with the Notes, which index is determined, composed and calculated by KSE without regard to HSBC or the notes. KSE has no obligation to take the needs of HSBC or the owners of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the KOSPI2. KSE is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the notes to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the notes are to be converted into cash. KSE has no liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes.
 
KSE is under no obligation to continue the calculation and dissemination of the KOSPI2 and the method by which the KOSPI2 is calculated and the name “KOSPI 200 Index” or “KOSPI2” may be changed at the discretion of KSE. No inference should be drawn from the information contained in this pricing supplement that KSE makes any representation or warranty, implied or express, to you or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes in particular or the ability of the KOSPI2 to track general stock market performance. KSE has no obligation to take into account your interest, or that of anyone else having an interest in determining, composing or calculating the KOSPI2. KSE is not responsible for, and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices for or quantities of, the notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the notes are to be settled in cash. KSE has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes. The use of and reference to the KOSPI2 in connection with the notes have been consented to by KSE.
 
KSE disclaims all responsibility for any inaccuracies in the data on which the KOSPI2 is based, or any mistakes or errors or omissions in the calculation or dissemination of the KOSPI2. 
 

Historical Performance of the KOSPI2
 
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low intra-day levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of KOSPI2 for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2004 through September 28, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through November 9, 2007. The closing level of the KOSPI2 on November 9, 2007 was 252.21. We obtained the data in the following table from Bloomberg Financial Service, without independent verification by us. Historical levels of KOSPI2 should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given that the level of KOSPI2 will increase relative to the index starting level during
 
Quarter Ending
Quarterly High
Quarterly Low
Quarterly Close
March 31, 2004
119.64
105.63
115.98
June 30, 2004
122.66
92.63
101.85
September 30, 2004
111.26
92.49
107.69
December 31, 2004
115.69
103.25
115.25
March 31, 2005
132.22
112.07
124.78
June 30, 2005
130.41
116.54
129.43
September 30, 2005
159.97
128.56
157.55
December 30, 2005
177.96
146.11
177.43
March 31, 2006
183.02
166.62
176.21
 
33

 
June 30, 2006
190.20
153.89
167.45
September 30, 2006
178.99
159.34
178.05
December 29, 2006
187.07
169.57
185.39
March 30, 2007
190.58
173.58
187.60
June 29, 2007
229.79
187.67
221.31
September 28, 2007
255.38
207.09
247.20
October 1, 2007 through
November 9, 2007
263.91
236.86
252.21


34



Certain ERISA Considerations

We urge you to read and consult “Certain ERISA Conditions” in the prospectus supplement.

Discontinuance or Modification of the Index

If a reference sponsor (as defined below) discontinues publication of or otherwise fails to publish the applicable index on any day on which that index is scheduled to be published and that reference sponsor or another entity publishes a successor or substitute index that the calculation agent determines to be comparable to the discontinued index (the comparable index, the “successor index”), then that successor index will be deemed to be the index for all purposes relating to the securities, including for purposes of determining whether a market disruption event exists. Upon any selection by the calculation agent of a successor index, the calculation agent will furnish written notice to us and the holders of the securities.
 
If an index is discontinued or if a reference sponsor fails to publish the applicable index and the calculation agent determines that no successor index is available at that time, then the calculation agent will determine the applicable basket closing level using the same general methodology previously used by the reference sponsor. The calculation agent will continue to make that determination until the earlier of (i) the final valuation date or (ii) a determination by the calculation agent that the index or a successor index is available. In that case, the calculation agent will furnish written notice to us and the holders of the securities.
 
If at any time the method of calculating an index or a successor index, or the level thereof, is changed in a material respect, or if an index or a successor index is in any other way modified so that, in the determination of the calculation agent, the level of that index does not fairly represent the level of such index or successor index that would have prevailed had those changes or modifications not been made, then the calculation agent will make the calculations and adjustments as may be necessary in order to determine a level comparable to the level that would have prevailed had those changes or modifications not been made. If, for example, the method of calculating an index or a successor index is modified so that the level of that index is a fraction of what it would have been if it had not been modified, then the calculation agent will adjust that index in order to arrive at a level of such index or successor index as if it had not been modified. In that case, the calculation agent will furnish written notice to us and the holders of the securities.
 
Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, discontinuance of the publication of the index may adversely affect the value of, and trading in, the securities.
 
“Reference sponsor” means:
 
 
with respect to the SPX, Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.;
 
 
with respect to the SX5E, STOXX Limited;
 
 
with respect to the NKY, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc.;
 
 
with respect to the NDX, Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (including its affiliates);
 
 
With respect to the UKX, FTSE International Limited;
 
 
with respect to the MXEF, Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc.;
 
 
With respect to the HSCEI, HSI Services Limited; and
 
 
with respect to the KOSPI2, Korea Exchange.
 
Events of Default and Acceleration

If the calculation agent determines that the securities have become immediately due and payable following an event of default (as defined in the prospectus) with respect to the securities, the calculation agent will determine the accelerated payment at maturity due and payable in the same general manner as described in “Final Terms” in this pricing supplement. In that case, the scheduled trading day preceding the date of acceleration will be used as the final valuation date for purposes of determining the accelerated return of each index. If a market disruption event exists with respect to any index on that scheduled trading day, then the accelerated final valuation date for such index will be postponed for up to eight scheduled trading days (in the same general manner used for postponing the originally scheduled final valuation date). The accelerated maturity date will be the third business day following the accelerated final valuation date.
 
If the securities have become immediately due and payable following an event of default, you will not be entitled to any additional payments with respect to the securities. For more information, see “Description of Debt Securities — Events of Default” and “— Events of Default; Defaults” in the prospectus.
 
Supplemental Plan of Distribution

We will agree to sell to UBS Financial Services Inc. (the “Agent”), and the Agent has agreed to purchase, all of the securities at the price indicated on the cover of this pricing supplement. We have agreed to indemnify the Agent against liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments that the Agent may be required to make relating to these liabilities as described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and the prospectus. UBS Financial Services Inc. may allow a concession not in excess of the underwriting discount to its affiliates.
 
Subject to regulatory constraints, HSBC USA Inc. (or an affiliate thereof) intends to offer to purchase the securities in the secondary market, but is not required to do so. We or our affiliate will enter into swap agreements or related hedge transactions with one of our other affiliates or unaffiliated counterparties in connection with the sale of the securities and the Agent and/or an affiliate may earn additional income as a result of payments pursuant to the swap or related hedge transactions.

35