FWP 1 v797067_fwp.htm FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

 

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration No. 333-180289

Dated December 27, 2012

FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

(To Prospectus dated March 22, 2012,

Prospectus Supplement dated March 22, 2012,

and Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated March 22, 2012)

 

Structured
Investments		  

HSBC USA Inc.

$

Contingent Buffered Enhanced Notes (CBEN) Linked to the S&P 500® Index due January 15, 2014 (the “Notes”)

General

·Terms used in this free writing prospectus are described or defined herein and in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. The Notes will have the terms described herein and in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal, and you may lose up to 100% of your initial investment. The Notes will not bear interest.
·This free writing prospectus relates to a single note offering. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a security linked to a single Reference Asset described below.
·Although the offering relates to a Reference Asset, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation as to the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the Reference Asset or any component security included in the Reference Asset or as to the suitability of an investment in the Notes.
·The Issuer has not undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, publicly available information regarding the Reference Asset.
·Senior unsecured debt obligations of HSBC USA Inc. maturing January 15, 2014.
·Minimum denominations of $10,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
·If the terms of the Notes set forth below are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, the terms set forth below will supersede.
·Any payment on the Notes is subject to the Issuer’s credit risk.

 

Key Terms

Issuer: HSBC USA Inc.
Reference Asset: The S&P 500® Index (“SPX”)
Knock-Out Event: A Knock-Out Event occurs if, on any scheduled trading day during the Observation Period, the Official Closing Level (as defined below) has decreased, as compared to the Initial Level, by a percentage that is more than the Knock-Out Buffer Amount.
Knock-Out Buffer Amount: 20%
Contingent Minimum Return: 4%
Principal Amount: $1,000 per Note
Trade Date: December 28, 2012
Pricing Date: December 28, 2012
Original Issue Date: January 3, 2013
Final Valuation Date: January 10, 2014, subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Valuation Dates” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
Observation Period: The period beginning on and excluding the Pricing Date and ending on and including the Final Valuation Date.
Maturity Date: 3 business days after the Final Valuation Date and is expected to be January 15, 2014.  The Maturity Date is subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Coupon Payment Dates, Call Payment Dates and Maturity Date” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
Maximum Cap: 15%
Payment at Maturity: If a Knock-Out Event has occurred, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date that will reflect the performance of the Reference Asset subject to the Maximum Cap. Under these circumstances, your Payment at Maturity per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes will be calculated as the lesser of:
  (a) $1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return); and
(b) $1,000 + ($1,000 × Maximum Cap).
  If a Knock-Out Event has occurred, you may lose some or all of your investment. This means that if the Reference Return is -100%, you will lose your entire investment.
  If a Knock-Out Event has not occurred, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date that will reflect the performance of the Reference Asset, subject to the Contingent Minimum Return and the Maximum Cap.  If a Knock-Out Event has not occurred, your Payment at Maturity per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes will equal the lesser of (A) $1,000 plus the product of (a) $1,000 multiplied by (b) the greater of (i) the Reference Return and (ii) the Contingent Minimum Return, and (B) $1,000 plus the product of (a) $1,000 multiplied by (b) the Maximum Cap.  For additional clarification, please see “What is the Total Return on the Notes at Maturity Assuming a Range of Performances for the Reference Asset?” herein.
Reference Return: The quotient, expressed as a percentage, calculated as follows:
  Final Level – Initial Level
           Initial Level
Initial Level: The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Pricing Date.
Final Level: The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date.
Official Closing Level: The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on any scheduled trading day as determined by the calculation agent based upon the value displayed on Bloomberg Professional® service page “SPX <INDEX>” or any successor page on the Bloomberg Professional® service or any successor service, as applicable.
Calculation Agent: HSBC USA Inc. or one of its affiliates
CUSIP/ISIN: 40432X5R8/US40432X5R87
Form of Notes: Book-Entry
Listing: The Notes will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or quotation system.

 

Investment in the Notes involves certain risks. You should refer to “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 4 of this document and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the Equity Index Underlying Supplement and page S-3 of the prospectus supplement.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Notes or determined that this free writing prospectus, or the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of our affiliates or agents may use the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates in market-making transactions in any Notes after their initial sale. Unless we or our agent informs you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates will be used in a market-making transaction. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of ours, will purchase the Notes from us for distribution to the placement agent. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on the last page of this free writing prospectus.

 

We have appointed J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and certain of its registered broker-dealer affiliates as placement agent for the sale of the Notes. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and certain of its registered broker-dealer affiliates will offer the Notes to investors directly or through other registered broker-dealers.

 

  Price to Public(1) Fees and Commissions Proceeds to Issuer
Per Note $1,000 $10 $990
Total $ $ $

(1) Certain fiduciary accounts purchasing the Notes will pay a purchase price of $990 per Note, and the placement agents with respect to sales made to such accounts will forgo any fees.

The Notes:

 

Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

 

JPMorgan

Placement Agent

December [●], 2012

  

 
 

 

Additional Terms Specific to the Notes

 

This free writing prospectus relates to a single note offering linked to the Reference Asset identified on the cover page. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a senior unsecured debt security linked to the Reference Asset. We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify this offering and to reject orders in whole or in part. Although the Note offering relates only to the Reference Asset identified on the cover page, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation as to the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the Reference Asset or any securities comprising the Reference Asset or as to the suitability of an investment in the Notes.

 

You should read this document together with the prospectus dated March 22, 2012, the prospectus supplement dated March 22, 2012 and the Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated March 22, 2012. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus, the terms described in this free writing prospectus shall control. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 4 of this free writing prospectus and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the Equity Index Underlying Supplement and page S-3 of the prospectus supplement, as the Notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Notes. As used herein, references to the “Issuer”, “HSBC”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to HSBC USA Inc.

 

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

 

You may also obtain:

 

•The Equity Index Underlying Supplement at:
  http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420412016693/v306691_424b2.htm
   
•The prospectus supplement at:
www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000104746912003151/a2208335z424b2.htm
   
•The prospectus at:
www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000104746912003148/a2208395z424b2.htm

 

We are using this free writing prospectus to solicit from you an offer to purchase the Notes. You may revoke your offer to purchase the Notes at any time prior to the time at which we accept your offer by notifying HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase, the Notes prior to their issuance. The Trade Date, the Pricing Date and the other terms of the Notes are subject to change, and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement relating to the Notes. In the event of any material changes to the terms of the Notes, we will notify you.

 

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Summary

 

The four charts below provide a summary of the Notes, including Note characteristics and risk considerations as well as an illustrative diagram and table reflecting hypothetical returns at maturity.   These charts should be reviewed together with the disclosure regarding the Notes contained in this free writing prospectus as well as in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus and prospectus supplement.

 

The following charts illustrate the hypothetical total return at maturity on the Notes. The “total return” as used in this free writing prospectus is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the Payment at Maturity per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes to $1,000. The hypothetical total returns set forth below reflect a hypothetical Initial Level of 1,400.00, the Knock-Out Buffer Amount of 20%, the Maximum Cap of 15%, and the Contingent Minimum Return on the Notes of 4%. The hypothetical total returns set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual total returns applicable to a purchaser of the Notes. The numbers appearing in the following table and examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.

 

 

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Selected Purchase Considerations

 

·APPRECIATION POTENTIAL — The Notes provide the opportunity to participate in the appreciation of the Reference Asset at maturity up to the Maximum Cap on the Notes of 15%, or a maximum Payment at Maturity of $1,150 for every $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes. If a Knock-Out Event has not occurred, in addition to the Principal Amount, you will receive at maturity at least the Contingent Minimum Return of 4% on the Notes, or a minimum Payment at Maturity of $1,040 for every $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes. Because the Notes are our senior unsecured debt obligations, payment of any amount at maturity is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.

 

·THE CONTINGENT MINIMUM RETURN APPLIES ONLY IF A KNOCK-OUT EVENT HAS NOT OCCURRED — If a Knock-Out Event has not occurred, you will receive at least the Principal Amount at maturity, even if the Final Level is below the Initial Level. If a Knock-Out Event has occurred and the Final Level is less than the Initial Level, you will lose 1% of your Principal Amount for every 1% that the Final Level is less than the Initial Level. If a Knock-Out Event has occurred and the Reference Return is -100%, you will lose your entire investment.

 

·DIVERSIFICATION OF THE S&P 500® INDEX — The return on the Notes is linked to the S&P 500® Index. The S&P 500® Index consists of 500 component stocks selected to provide a performance benchmark for the U.S. equity markets. For additional information about the Reference Asset, see the information set forth under “The S&P 500® Index” in the Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

 

·TAX TREATMENT — There is no direct legal authority as to the proper tax treatment of the Notes, and therefore significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Notes are uncertain as to both the timing and character of any inclusion in income in respect of the Notes. Under one approach, the Notes should be treated as pre-paid executory contracts with respect to the Reference Asset. We intend to treat the Notes consistent with this approach. Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, you agree to treat the Notes under this approach for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subject to the limitations described therein, and based on certain factual representations received from us, in the opinion of our special U.S. tax counsel, Morrison & Foerster LLP, it is reasonable to treat the Notes as pre-paid executory contracts with respect to the Reference Asset. Pursuant to this approach, we do not intend to report any income or gain with respect to the Notes prior to their maturity or an earlier sale or exchange and we generally intend to treat any gain or loss upon maturity or an earlier sale or exchange as long-term capital gain or loss, provided that you have held the Note for more than one year at such time for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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

 

For a further discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the Notes, see the section “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

Selected Risk Considerations

 

An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in any of the component securities of the Reference Asset. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Risk Factors” sections of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement and prospectus supplement.

 

·YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES MAY RESULT IN A LOSS — The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal. The return on the Notes at maturity is linked to the performance of the Reference Asset, subject to the Maximum Cap and will depend on whether a Knock-Out Event has occurred and whether, and the extent to which, the Reference Return is positive or negative. If the Official Closing Level during the Observation Period is ever below the Initial Level, by a percentage that is more than the Knock-Out Buffer Amount of 20% during the Observation Period, a Knock-Out Event will have occurred, and the benefit provided by the Knock-Out Buffer Amount will terminate. Under these circumstances, you will lose 1% of the Principal Amount of your investment for every 1% decline of the Final Level as compared to the Initial Level. IF A KNOCK-OUT EVENT OCCURS, YOU MAY LOSE UP TO 100% OF YOUR INVESTMENT.

  

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·YOUR MAXIMUM GAIN ON THE NOTES IS LIMITED TO THE MAXIMUM CAP — If the Final Level is greater than the Initial Level, for each $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes you hold, you will receive at maturity $1,000 plus an additional amount that will not exceed the Maximum Cap of 15% of the Principal Amount, regardless of the appreciation in the Reference Asset, which may be significantly greater than the Maximum Cap. You will not receive a return on the Notes greater than the Maximum Cap.

 

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

 

·SUITABILITY OF THE NOTES FOR INVESTMENT — You should only reach a decision to invest in the Notes after carefully considering, with your advisors, the suitability of the Notes in light of your investment objectives and the information set out in this free writing prospectus. Neither HSBC nor any dealer participating in the offering makes any recommendation as to the suitability of the Notes for investment.

 

·YOUR ABILITY TO RECEIVE THE CONTINGENT MINIMUM RETURN MAY TERMINATE AT ANY TIME DURING THE TERM OF THE NOTES — If the Official Closing Level is ever below the Initial Level during the Observation Period by a percentage that is more than the Knock-Out Buffer Amount of 20% during the Observation Period, you will be fully exposed to any decline in the Reference Asset and will not be entitled to receive the Contingent Minimum Return on the Notes. Under these circumstances, if the Final Level is less than the Initial Level, you will lose 1% of the Principal Amount of your investment for every 1% decrease in the Final Level as compared to the Initial Level. You will be subject to this potential loss of principal even if the level of the Reference Asset subsequently increases such that the Official Closing Level is less than the Initial Level by not more than the Knock-Out Buffer Amount of 20%, or is equal to or greater than the Initial Level. As a result, you may lose some or all of your investment. Your return on the Notes may not reflect the return you would receive on a conventional fixed or floating rate debt instrument with a comparable term to maturity issued by HSBC or any other issuer with a similar credit rating.

 

·CERTAIN BUILT-IN COSTS ARE LIKELY TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE NOTES PRIOR TO MATURITY — While the Payment at Maturity described in this free writing prospectus is based on the full Principal Amount of your Notes, the original issue price of the Notes includes the placement agent’s commission and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the Notes through one or more of our affiliates. As a result, the price, if any, at which HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will be willing to purchase Notes from you in secondary market transactions, if at all, will likely be lower than the original issue price, and any sale of Notes by you prior to the Maturity Date could result in a substantial loss to you. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your Notes to maturity.

 

·NO INTEREST OR DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR VOTING RIGHTS — As a holder of the Notes, you will not receive interest payments, and you will not have voting rights or rights to receive cash dividends or other distributions or other rights that holders of securities composing the Reference Asset would have.

 

·THE NOTES LACK LIQUIDITY — The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. may offer to purchase the Notes in the secondary market but is not required to do so and may cease making such offers at any time. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the Notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your Notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. is willing to buy the Notes. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Notes easily.

 

·POTENTIAL CONFLICTS — HSBC and its affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the Notes, including acting as Calculation Agent and hedging its obligations under the Notes. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the Calculation Agent and other affiliates of HSBC are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the Notes. HSBC and the Calculation Agent are under no obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the Notes in taking any corporate actions or other actions that might affect the level of the Reference Asset and the value of the Notes.

 

·The Notes are Not Insured OR GUARANTEED by any Governmental Agency of the United States or any Other Jurisdiction — The Notes are not deposit liabilities or other obligations of a bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or program of the United States or any other jurisdiction. An investment in the Notes is subject to the credit risk of HSBC, and in the event that HSBC is unable to pay its obligations as they become due, you may not receive the full Payment at Maturity of the Notes.

 

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·MANY ECONOMIC AND MARKET FACTORS WILL IMPACT THE VALUE OF THE NOTES — In addition to the level of the Reference Asset on any day, the value of the Notes will be affected by a number of economic and market factors that may either offset or magnify each other, including:

 

·the expected volatility of the Reference Asset;

 

·the time to maturity of the Notes;

 

·whether a Knock-Out Event has occurred;

 

·the dividend rate on the equity securities underlying the Reference Asset;

 

·interest and yield rates in the market generally;

 

·a variety of economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the Reference Asset or the stock markets generally; and

 

·our creditworthiness, including actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings.

 

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What Is the Total Return on the Notes at Maturity Assuming a Range of Performances for the Reference Asset?

 

The following table illustrates the hypothetical total return at maturity on the Notes. The “total return” as used in this free writing prospectus is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the Payment at Maturity per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes to $1,000. The hypothetical total returns set forth below reflect the Knock-Out Buffer Amount of 20%, the Contingent Minimum Return on the Notes of 4% and the Maximum Cap of 15%, and assume an Initial Level of $1,400. The actual Initial Level will be determined on the Pricing Date. The hypothetical total returns set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual total returns applicable to a purchaser of the Notes. The numbers appearing in the following table and examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.

 

Hypothetical Final
Level		 Hypothetical
Reference Return		 Hypothetical Total Return
    Knock-Out Event Has
Not Occurred

Knock-Out Event

Has Occurred

2,520.00 80.00% 15.00% 15.00%
2,380.00 70.00% 15.00% 15.00%
2,100.00 50.00% 15.00% 15.00%
1,960.00 40.00% 15.00% 15.00%
1,820.00 30.00% 15.00% 15.00%
1,680.00 20.00% 15.00% 15.00%
1,610.00 15.00% 15.00% 15.00%
1,540.00 10.00% 10.00% 10.00%
1,470.00 5.00% 5.00% 5.00%
1,456.00 4.00% 4.00% 4.00%
1,442.00 3.00% 4.00% 3.00%
1,414.00 1.00% 4.00% 1.00%
1,400.00 0.00% 4.00% 0.00%
1,330.00 -5.00% 4.00% -5.00%
1,260.00 -10.00% 4.00% -10.00%
1,190.00 -15.00% 4.00% -15.00%
1,120.00 -20.00% 4.00% -20.00%
980.00 -30.00% N/A -30.00%
840.00 -40.00% N/A -40.00%
700.00 -50.00% N/A -50.00%
560.00 -60.00% N/A -60.00%
280.00 -80.00% N/A -80.00%
0.00 -100.00% N/A -100.00%

  

Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity

 

The following examples illustrate how the total returns set forth in the table above are calculated.

 

Example 1: A Knock-Out Event does not occur, and the level of the Reference Asset decreases from the hypothetical Initial Level of 1,400.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of 1,260.00. Because a Knock-Out Event has not occurred and the Reference Return of -10.00% is less than the Contingent Minimum Return of 4.00%, the investor benefits from the Contingent Minimum Return and receives a Payment at Maturity of $1,040.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes.

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × 4.00%) = $1,040.00

 

Example 2: A Knock-Out Event does not occur, and the level of the Reference Asset increases from the hypothetical Initial Level of 1,400.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of 1,540.00. Because a Knock-Out Event has not occurred and the Reference Return of 10.00% is greater than the Contingent Minimum Return of 4.00% but less than the Maximum Cap of 15.00%, the investor receives a Payment at Maturity of $1,100.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × 10.00%) = $1,100.00

 

Example 3: A Knock-Out Event does not occur, and the level of the Reference Asset increases from the hypothetical Initial level of $1,400.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of 1,820.00 Because a Knock-Out Event has not occurred and the Reference Return of 30.00% is greater than the Maximum Cap of 15.00% the investor receives a Payment at Maturity of $1,150.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × 15.00%) = $1,150.00

  

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Example 4: A Knock-Out Event has occurred, and the level of the Reference Asset decreases from the hypothetical Initial Level of $1,400 to a hypothetical Final Level of 840.00. Because a Knock-Out Event has occurred, and the Reference Return is -40.00%, the investor is exposed to the negative performance of the Reference Asset. The investor will receive a Payment at Maturity of $600.00 per $1,000.00 Principal Amount of Notes, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × -40.00%) = $600.00

  

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Description of the Reference Asset

 

General

 

This free writing prospectus is not an offer to sell and it is not an offer to buy interests in the Reference Asset or any of the securities comprising the Reference Asset. All disclosures contained in this free writing prospectus regarding the Reference Asset, including its make-up, performance, method of calculation and changes in its components, where applicable, are derived from publicly available information. Neither HSBC nor any of its affiliates has made any independent investigation as to the information about the Reference Asset that is contained in this free writing prospectus. You should make your own investigation into the Reference Asset.

  

The S&P 500® Index

 

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

 

The top five industry groups by market capitalization as of December 24, 2012 were: Information Technology, Financials, Health Care, Consumer Discretionary and Energy.

 

For more information about the SPX, see “The S&P 500Ò Index” on page S-6 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

 

Historical Performance of Reference Asset

 

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the Reference Asset based on the daily historical closing levels from December 24, 2007 through December 24, 2012. The closing level for the Reference Asset on December 24, 2012 was 1,426.66. We obtained the closing levels below from the Bloomberg Professional® service. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from the Bloomberg Professional® service.

 

The historical levels of the Reference Asset should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Official Closing Level on the Final Valuation Date. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Reference Asset will result in the return of any of your initial investment.

 

 

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

 

 

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License Agreement

 

Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.  “Standard & Poor’s®”, “S&P 500®” and “S&P®” are trademarks of S&P and have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates and sublicensed for certain purposes by HSBC.  The S&P 500® Index (the “Index”) is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by HSBC.

 

The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”).  S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders 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 Index to track general market performance.  S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to HSBC with respect to the Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices.  The Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to HSBC or the Notes.  S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation to take the needs of HSBC or the holders of the Notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index.  S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the Notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Notes are to be converted into cash.  S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Notes. There is no assurance that investment products based on the Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns.  S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor.  Inclusion of a security within the Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the Notes currently being issued by HSBC, but which may be similar to and competitive with the Notes.  In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the Index.  It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Index and the Notes.

 

S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO.  S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN.  S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY HSBC, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO.  WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBLITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.  THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND HSBC, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.

 

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Events of Default and Acceleration

 

If the Notes have become immediately due and payable following an event of default (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) with respect to the Notes, the Calculation Agent will determine the accelerated payment due and payable at maturity in the same general manner as described in “Payment at Maturity” in this free writing prospectus. 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 Final Level. If a market disruption event exists with respect to the Reference Asset on that scheduled trading day, then the accelerated Final Valuation Date will be postponed for up to five scheduled trading days (in the same manner used for postponing the originally scheduled Final Valuation Date). The accelerated Maturity Date will then be the third business day following the postponed accelerated Final Valuation Date.

 

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

 

Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)

 

Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of HSBC, will purchase the Notes from HSBC for distribution to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and certain of its registered broker-dealer affiliates, acting as placement agent, at the price indicated on the cover of the pricing supplement, the document that will be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) containing the final pricing terms of the Notes. The placement agents for the Notes will receive a fee that will not exceed $10 per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes. Certain fiduciary accounts purchasing the Notes will pay a purchase price of $990 per Note, and the placement agents with respect to sales made to such accounts will forgo any fees.

 

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

 

See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page S-49 in the prospectus supplement.

 

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