424B2 1 tv481864_424b2.htm PRICING SUPPLEMENT

  

Calculation of Registration Fee

 

Title of Each Class of
Securities Offered
  Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price
  Amount of
Registration Fee(1)
Debt Securities   $3,594,000.00   $ 447.45

 

(1) Calculated in accordance with Rule 457 (r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

   

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration No. 333-202524

PRICING SUPPLEMENT

December 20, 2017

(To Prospectus dated March 5, 2015,

Prospectus Supplement dated March 5, 2015,

Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated March 5, 2015 and

ETF Underlying Supplement dated March 5, 2015)

 

HSBC USA Inc.

Autocallable Contingent Income

Barrier Notes

 

4$3,594,000 Autocallable Contingent Income Barrier Notes linked to the Least Performing of the S&P 500® Index, the iShares® FTSE China Large-Cap ETF and the S&P® Midcap 400 ETF Trust

 

4Maturity of approximately 7 years if not called prior to maturity

 

4Quarterly contingent coupon payments at a rate of 2.625% (equivalent to 10.50% per annum), payable if the closing value of each Underlying on the applicable coupon observation date is greater than or equal to 75% of its initial value

 

4Callable quarterly at the principal amount plus the applicable contingent coupon on or after December 20, 2018 if the closing value of each Underlying is at or above its initial value

 

4If the Notes are not called and the Least Performing Underlying declines by more than 25%, there is full exposure to declines in the Least Performing Underlying.

 

4All payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of HSBC USA Inc.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Investment in the Notes involves certain risks. You should refer to “Risk Factors” beginning on page FWP-7 of this document, page S-1 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, page S-2 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement and page S-1 of the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement.

 

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes on the Pricing Date is $954 per Note, which is less than the price to public. The market value of the Notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy. See “Estimated Initial Value” on page PS-4 and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-7 of this document for additional information.

 

  Price to Public Underwriting Discount1 Proceeds to Issuer
Per Note $1,000.00 $33.50 $966.50
Total $3,594,000.00 $120,399.00 $3,473,601.00

 

1HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay varying underwriting discounts of up to 3.35% per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page PS-17 of this pricing supplement.

 

The Notes:

Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

 

 

   

 

 

HSBC USA Inc.

Autocallable Contingent Income Barrier Notes

 

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

 

This pricing supplement relates to an offering of Notes linked to the S&P 500® Index, the iShares® FTSE China Large-Cap ETF and the S&P® Midcap 400 ETF Trust. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a senior unsecured debt security of HSBC USA Inc. as described below. The following key terms relate to the offering of Notes:

 

Issuer: HSBC USA Inc.
Principal Amount: $1,000 per Note
Reference Asset: The S&P 500® Index (“SPX”), the iShares® FTSE China Large-Cap ETF (“FXI”) and the S&P® Midcap 400 ETF Trust (“MDY”)
Trade Date: December 20, 2017
Pricing Date: December 20, 2017
Original Issue Date: December 26, 2017
Final Valuation Date: December 20, 2024, subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes―Valuation Dates” in the accompanying ETF-Linked Underlying Supplement or Equity Index Underlying Supplement, as applicable.
Maturity Date: December 26, 2024. 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 ETF-Linked Underlying Supplement or Equity Index Underlying Supplement, as applicable.
Call Feature: If the Official Closing Value of each Underlying is at or above its Initial Value on any Call Observation Date beginning on December 20, 2018, the Notes will be automatically called, and you will receive a cash payment, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes, equal to the Principal Amount plus the applicable Contingent Coupon on the corresponding Call Payment Date.

 

 PS-2 

 

 

 

Coupon Observation and Coupon Observation Dates Coupon Payment Dates
Payment Dates: March 21, 2018 March 26, 2018
  June 21, 2018 June 26, 2018
  September 21, 2018 September 26, 2018
  December 20, 2018* December 26, 2018**
  March 21, 2019* March 26, 2019**
  June 21, 2019* June 26, 2019**
  September 23, 2019* September 26, 2019**
  December 20, 2019* December 26, 2019**
  March 23, 2020* March 26, 2020**
  June 23, 2020* June 26, 2020**
  September 23, 2020* September 28, 2020**
  December 22, 2020* December 28, 2020**
  March 23, 2021* March 26, 2021**
  June 23, 2021* June 28, 2021**
  September 22, 2021* September 27, 2021**
  December 21, 2021* December 27, 2021**
  March 23, 2022* March 28, 2022**
  June 22, 2022* June 27, 2022**
  September 21, 2022* September 26, 2022**
  December 21, 2022* December 27, 2022**
  March 22, 2023* March 27, 2023**
  June 21, 2023* June 26, 2023**
  September 21, 2023* September 26, 2023**
  December 20, 2023* December 26, 2023**
  March 21, 2024* March 26, 2024**
  June 21, 2024* June 26, 2024**
  September 23, 2024* September 26, 2024**
  December 20, 2024 December 26, 2024

 

 

*These Coupon Observation Dates are also Call Observation Dates

**These Coupon Payment Dates are also Call Payment Dates

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

Call Observation Dates: The Coupon Observation Dates on or after December 20, 2018.
Call Payment Dates: The Coupon Payment Dates on or after December 26, 2018.
Contingent Coupon Rate: 2.625% per quarter (equivalent to 10.50% per annum)
Contingent Coupon:

If the Official Closing Value of each of the Underlyings is greater than or equal to its Coupon Trigger on a Coupon Observation Date, you will receive the Contingent Coupon of $26.25 per $1,000 in Principal Amount on the applicable Coupon Payment Date.

If the Official Closing Value of any Underlying is less than its Coupon Trigger on a Coupon Observation Date, the Contingent Coupon applicable to such Coupon Observation Date will not be payable and we will not make any payment to you on the relevant Coupon Payment Date.

You may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments over the term of the Notes.

Coupon Trigger and Barrier Value: 2,009.44 with respect to the SPX (rounded to two decimal places), $34.32 with respect to the FXI and $258.87 with respect to the MDY, each of which is 75% of its Initial Value.
Payment at Maturity: Unless the Notes are automatically called, on the Maturity Date, for each $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes, we will pay you the Final Settlement Value.

 

 PS-3 

 

  

Final Settlement Value:

Unless the Notes are automatically called, for each $1,000 Principal Amount, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, calculated as follows:

n If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to -25%:

$1,000 + final Contingent Coupon.

n If the Reference Return of any Underlying is less than -25%:

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

If the Notes are not called prior to maturity and the Final Value of any Underlying is less than its Barrier Value, you may lose up to 100% of the Principal Amount. Even with any Contingent Coupons, your return on the Notes will be negative in this case.

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

Reference Return:

 

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

Final Value – Initial Value

Initial Value

Initial Value: 2,679.25 with respect to the SPX, $45.76 with respect to the FXI and $345.16 with respect to the MDY, each of which was its Official Closing Value on the Pricing Date.
Final Value: With respect to each Underlying, its Official Closing Value on the Final Valuation Date.
Official Closing Value: With respect to each Underlying, its closing value on any scheduled trading day as determined by the calculation agent based upon the value displayed on the relevant Bloomberg Professional® service page (with respect to SPX, “SPX <INDEX>”, with respect to FXI, “FXI UP <EQUITY>” and with respect to MDY, “MDY UP <EQUITY>”) or, for each Underlying, any successor page on the Bloomberg Professional® service or any successor service, as applicable, and, with respect to the FXI and the MDY, subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Antidilution and Reorganization Adjustments” in the accompanying ETF-Linked Underlying Supplement.
CUSIP / ISIN: 40435FNY9 / US40435FNY96
Form of Notes: Book-Entry
Listing: The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quotation system.
Estimated Initial Value: The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes is less than the price you pay to purchase the Notes. The Estimated Initial Value does not represent a minimum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in the secondary market, if any, at any time. See “Risk Factors — The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes, which was determined by us on the Pricing Date, is less than the price to public and may differ from the market value of the Notes in the secondary market, if any.”

  

 PS-4 

 

 

GENERAL

 

This pricing supplement relates to the offering of Notes. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a senior unsecured debt security of HSBC USA Inc. Although the offering of Notes relates to the Underlyings, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation as to the merits of acquiring an investment in any of the Underlyings or as to the suitability of an investment in the Notes.

 

You should read this document together with the prospectus dated March 5, 2015, the prospectus supplement dated March 5, 2015, the Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated March 5, 2015 and the ETF Underlying Supplement dated March 5, 2015. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying prospectus supplement, prospectus, Equity Index Underlying Supplement or ETF Underlying Supplement, the terms described in this pricing supplement shall control. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-7 of this pricing supplement, beginning on page S-1 of the prospectus supplement, page S-2 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement and beginning on page S-1 of the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement, as the Notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Notes. As used herein, references to the “Issuer”, “HSBC”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to HSBC USA Inc.

 

HSBC has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, prospectus supplement Equity Index Underlying Supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this pricing supplement relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, prospectus supplement Equity Index Underlying Supplement and ETF 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 Equity Index Underlying Supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1-866-811-8049.

 

You may also obtain:

 

4The Equity Index Underlying Supplement at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420415014327/v403626_424b2.htm

 

4The ETF Underlying Supplement at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420415014329/v403640_424b2.htm

 

4The prospectus supplement at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420415014311/v403645_424b2.htm

 

4The prospectus at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000119312515078931/d884345d424b3.htm

 

PAYMENT ON THE NOTES

 

Call Feature

 

The Notes will be automatically called if the Official Closing Value of each of the Underlyings is at or above its Initial Value on any Call Observation Date beginning on December 20, 2018. If the Notes are automatically called, investors will receive on the corresponding Call Payment Date, a cash payment per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes equal to 100% of the Principal Amount, together with the applicable Contingent Coupon.

 

Contingent Coupon

 

We will pay a quarterly Contingent Coupon payment on a Coupon Payment Date if the Official Closing Value of each Underlying on the applicable Coupon Observation Date is greater than or equal to its Coupon Trigger. Otherwise, no coupon will be paid on such Coupon Payment Date. For information regarding the record dates applicable to the Contingent Coupons payable on the Notes, please see the section entitled “Recipients of Interest Payments” on page S-12 in the accompanying prospectus supplement. The Contingent Coupon Rate is 10.50% per annum ($26.25 per $1,000 in Principal Amount per quarter, if payable).

 

Maturity

 

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

 

n If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to -25%:

 

$1,000 + final Contingent Coupon

 

n If the Reference Return of any Underlying is less than -25%:

 

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

 

If the Notes have not been called and the Final Value of any Underlying is less than its Barrier Value, you may lose up to 100% of the Principal Amount. Even with any Contingent Coupon, your yield on an investment in the Notes will be negative in this case.

 

Calculation Agent

 

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

 

 PS-5 

 

 

INVESTOR SUITABILITY

 

The Notes may be suitable for you if:

 

4You believe that the Official Closing Value of each Underlying will be at or above its Coupon Trigger on each Coupon Observation Date, and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying will be at or above its Barrier Value.

 

4You seek a quarterly Contingent Coupon, based on the performance of the Underlyings, that will be paid at the Contingent Coupon Rate of 10.50% per annum if the Official Closing Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Trigger on the applicable Coupon Observation Date.

 

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

 

4You are willing to make an investment that is exposed to the potential downside performance of the Underlyings on a 1-to-1 basis if the Reference Return of any Underlying is less than -25%.

 

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

 

4You are willing to hold Notes that will be automatically called on any Call Observation Date beginning on December 20, 2018, on which the Official Closing Value of each Underlying is at or above its Initial Value, or you are otherwise willing to hold the Notes to maturity.

 

4You are willing to forgo guaranteed interest payments on the Notes, and dividends or other distributions paid on the Underlyings or the securities included in or held by the Underlyings.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The Notes may not be suitable for you if:

 

4You believe that the Official Closing Value of at least one Underlying will be below its Coupon Trigger on each Coupon Observation Date, including the Final Valuation Date, and the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying will be below its Barrier Value.

 

4You believe that the Contingent Coupon, if any, will not provide you with your desired return.

 

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

 

4You are unwilling to make an investment that is exposed to the potential downside performance of the Underlyings on a 1-to-1 basis if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than -25%.

 

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

 

4You are unable or unwilling to hold Notes that will be automatically called on any Call Observation Date beginning on December 20, 2018, on which the Official Closing Value of each Underlying is at or above its Initial Value, or you are otherwise unable or unwilling to hold the Notes to maturity.

 

4You prefer to receive guaranteed periodic interest payments on the Notes, or the dividends or other distributions paid on the Underlyings or the securities included in or held by the Underlyings.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 PS-6 

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

We urge you to read the section “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 in the accompanying prospectus supplement, page S-2 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement and beginning on page S-1 of the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in any of the Underlyings or the securities included in or held by the Underlyings. You should understand the risks of investing in the Notes and should reach an investment decision only after careful consideration, with your advisors, of the suitability of the Notes in light of your particular financial circumstances and the information set forth in this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement Equity Index Underlying Supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement.

 

In addition to the risks discussed below, you should review “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement including the explanation of risks relating to the securities described in the following sections:

 

4“— Risks Relating to All Note Issuances” in the prospectus supplement;

 

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

 

4“— General Risks Related to Index Funds” in the ETF Underlying Supplement;

 

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

 

4“— Risks Associated with Non-U.S. Companies” in the ETF Underlying Supplement;

 

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

 

4“—There are Risks Associated with Emerging Markets” in the ETF Underlying Supplement; and

 

4“— The Notes are Subject to Currency Exchange Risk” in the ETF Underlying Supplement.

 

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

 

The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal and you may lose your entire initial investment.

 

The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal. The Notes differ from ordinary debt securities in that we will not pay you 100% of the Principal Amount of your Notes if the Notes are not automatically called and the Final Value of any Underlying is less than its Barrier Value. In this case, the Payment at Maturity you will be entitled to receive will be less than the Principal Amount of the Notes and you will lose 1% for each 1% that the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than -25%. You may lose up to 100% of your investment at maturity. Even with any Contingent Coupons, your return on the Notes will be negative in this case.

 

You may not receive any Contingent Coupons.

 

We will not necessarily make periodic coupon payments on the Notes. If the Official Closing Value of each Underlying on a Coupon Observation Date is less than its Coupon Trigger, we will not pay you the Contingent Coupon applicable to that Coupon Observation Date. If on each of the Coupon Observation Dates, the Official Closing Value of each Underlying is less than its Coupon Trigger, we will not pay you any Contingent Coupons during the term of, and you will not receive a positive return on, the Notes. Generally, this non-payment of the Contingent Coupon coincides with a period of greater risk of principal loss on the Notes.

 

Your return on the Notes is limited to the principal amount plus the Contingent Coupons, if any, regardless of any appreciation in the value of the Underlyings.

 

For each $1,000 in principal amount of the Notes, you will receive $1,000 at maturity plus the final Contingent Coupon if the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is equal to or greater than its Barrier Value, regardless of any appreciation in the values of the Underlyings, which may be significant. Accordingly, the return on the Notes may be significantly less than the return on a direct investment in the Underlyings during the term of the Notes.

 

You are exposed to the market risk of both of the Underlyings, with respect to both the Contingent Coupons, if any, and the payment at maturity, if any.

 

Your return on the Notes is not linked to a basket consisting of the 2 equity securities. Rather, it will be contingent upon the independent performance of each Underlying. Unlike an instrument with a return linked to a basket of underlying assets, in which risk is potentially mitigated and diversified among all the components of the basket, you will be exposed to the risks related to both of the Underlyings. Poor performance by any Underlying over the term of the Notes may negatively affect your return and will not be offset or mitigated by any positive performance by the other Underlying. To receive any contingent coupons, both Underlyings must close at or above their respective Coupon Triggers on the applicable Coupon Observation Date. In addition, if any Underlying has decreased to below its respective Barrier Value as of the Final Valuation Date, you will be fully exposed to the decrease in the Least Performing Underlying on

 

 PS-7 

 

 

a 1 to 1 basis, even if the other Underlying has appreciated. Under this scenario, the payment at maturity will be less than 75% of the Principal Amount and could be zero. Accordingly, your investment is subject to the market risk of each of the Underlyings.

 

Because the Notes are linked to the performance of the Underlying with the worst performance on any Coupon Observation Date, including the performance of the Least Performing Underlying on the Final Valuation Date, you are exposed to greater risks of receiving no Contingent Coupons and sustaining a significant loss on your investment than if the Notes were linked to just one Underlying.

 

The risk that you will not receive any Contingent Coupons, or that you will suffer a significant loss on your investment, is greater if you invest in the Notes as opposed to substantially similar securities that are linked to the performance of just one Underlying. With 3 Underlyings, it is more likely that one of the Underlyings will close below its respective Coupon Trigger on any Coupon Observation Date (including the Final Valuation Date) and below its respective Barrier Value on the Final Valuation Date, than if the Notes were linked to only one Underlying. Therefore, it is more likely that you will not receive any Contingent Coupons, and that you will suffer a significant loss on your investment. In addition, because each Underlying must close above its initial value on a quarterly Coupon Observation Date in order for the Notes to be called prior to maturity, the Notes are less likely to be called than if the Notes were linked to just one Underlying.

 

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 payments to be made on the Notes, including any Contingent Coupon and any return of principal at maturity or upon early redemption, as applicable, depends on the ability of HSBC to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of HSBC may affect the market value of the Notes and, in the event HSBC were to default on its obligations, you may not receive the amounts owed to you under the terms of the Notes.

 

The Notes may be automatically called prior to the Maturity Date.

 

If the Notes are automatically called early, the holding period over which you may receive coupon payments could be as little as 12 months. There is no guarantee that you would be able to reinvest the proceeds from an investment in the Notes at a comparable return for a similar level of risk in the event the Notes are automatically called prior to the Maturity Date.

 

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 on the Notes.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The price to public takes into account certain costs. These costs, which will be used or retained by us or one of our affiliates, include the underwriting discount, our affiliates’ projected hedging profits (which may or may not be realized) for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the Notes, and the costs associated with structuring and hedging our obligations under the Notes. If you were to sell your Notes in the secondary market, if any, the price you would receive for your Notes may be less than the price you paid for them because secondary market prices will not take into account these costs. The price of your Notes in the secondary market, if any, at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors, including the price of the Underlyings and changes in market conditions, and cannot

 

 PS-8 

 

 

be predicted with accuracy. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments, and you should, therefore, be able and willing to hold the Notes to maturity. Any sale of the Notes prior to maturity could result in a loss to you.

 

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

 

Assuming that all relevant factors remain constant after the Original Issue Date, the price at which HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. may initially buy or sell the Notes in the secondary market, if any, and the value that we may initially use for customer account statements, if we provide any customer account statements at all, may exceed the Estimated Initial Value on the Pricing Date for a temporary period expected to be approximately 3 months after the Original Issue Date. This temporary price difference may exist because, in our discretion, we may elect to effectively reimburse to investors a portion of the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the Notes and other costs in connection with the Notes that we will no longer expect to incur over the term of the Notes. We will make such discretionary election and determine this temporary reimbursement period on the basis of a number of factors, including the tenor of the Notes and any agreement we may have with the distributors of the Notes. The amount of our estimated costs which we effectively reimburse to investors in this way may not be allocated ratably throughout the reimbursement period, and we may discontinue such reimbursement at any time or revise the duration of the reimbursement period after the Original Issue Date of the Notes based on changes in market conditions and other factors that cannot be predicted.

 

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

 

The payments on the Notes will be based on the Official Closing Values of the Underlyings on the Coupon Observation Dates, including the Final Valuation Date, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events. Even if the value of any Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Trigger during the term of the Notes other than on a Coupon Observation Date but then decreases on that Coupon Observation Date to a value that is less than its Coupon Trigger, the Contingent Coupon will not be payable for that Coupon Observation Date. Similarly, if the Notes are not called, even if the value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Barrier Value during the term of the Notes other than on the Final Valuation Date but then decreases on the Final Valuation Date to a value that is less than its Barrier Value, the Payment at Maturity will be less, possibly significantly less, than it would have been had the Payment at Maturity been linked to the value of the Least Performing Underlying prior to such decrease. Although the actual values of the Underlyings on the Maturity Date or at other times during the term of the Notes may be higher than their respective values on the Coupon Observation Dates, whether each Contingent Coupon will be payable and the Payment at Maturity will be based solely on the Official Closing Values of the Underlyings on the applicable Coupon Observation Dates.

 

The Notes lack liquidity.

 

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

 

Potential conflicts of interest may exist.

 

HSBC and its affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the Notes, including acting as calculation agent and hedging our obligations under the Notes. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the Notes. We will not have any obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the Notes in taking any action that might affect the value of your Notes.

 

Uncertain tax treatment.

 

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

 

The securities are subject to mid-capitalization risk.

 

The MDY tracks companies that may be considered mid-capitalization companies. These companies often have greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalization companies and therefore the value of the MDY may be more volatile than an investment in stocks issued by larger companies. Stock prices of mid-capitalization companies may also be more vulnerable than those of larger companies to adverse business and economic developments, and the stocks of mid-capitalization companies may be thinly traded, making it difficult for the MDY to track them. In addition, mid-capitalization companies are often less stable financially than large-capitalization companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of personnel. Mid-capitalization companies are often subject to less analyst coverage and may be in early, and less predictable, periods of their corporate existences. These companies tend to have smaller revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller

 

 PS-9 

 

 

shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources and competitive strengths than large-capitalization companies, and are more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products.

 

The performance and market value of the MDY during periods of market volatility may not correlate with the performance of its underlying index as well as its net asset value per share.

 

During periods of market volatility, securities underlying the MDY may be unavailable in the secondary market, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately its net asset value per share and its liquidity may be adversely affected. This kind of market volatility may also disrupt the ability of market participants to create and redeem shares of the MDY. Further, market volatility may adversely affect, sometimes materially, the prices at which market participants are willing to buy and sell shares of the MDY. As a result, under these circumstances, the market value of shares of the MDY may vary substantially from the net asset value per share of the MDY. For all of the foregoing reasons, the performance of the MDY may not correlate with the performance of its underlying index as well as its net asset value per share, which could materially and adversely affect the value of the Notes in the secondary market and/or reduce your payments on the Notes.

 

Risks associated with non-U.S. companies.

 

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

 

Risks associated with emerging markets.

 

An investment in the Notes will involve risks not generally associated with investments which have no emerging market component. In particular, many emerging nations are undergoing rapid change, involving the restructuring of economic, political, financial and legal systems. Regulatory and tax environments may be subject to change without review or appeal. Many emerging markets suffer from underdevelopment of capital markets and tax regulation. The risk of expropriation and nationalization remains a threat. Guarding against such risks is made more difficult by low levels of corporate disclosure and unreliability of economic and financial data.

 

The value of the FXI is subject to currency exchange risk.

 

Because the value of the FXI is related to the U.S. dollar value of stocks included in its underlying index, holders of the Notes will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which such component securities trade. Exchange rate movements for a particular currency are volatile and are the result of numerous factors including the supply of, and the demand for, those currencies, as well as relevant government policy, intervention or actions, but are also influenced significantly from time to time by political or economic developments, and by macroeconomic factors and speculative actions related to the relevant region. An investor’s net exposure will depend on the extent to which the currencies of the component securities strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar and the relative weight of each currency. If, taking into account such weighting, the dollar strengthens against the currencies of the component securities represented in its underlying index, the value of the FXI will be adversely affected and the payment at maturity on the Notes may be reduced.

 

Of particular importance to potential currency exchange risk are:

 

·existing and expected rates of inflation;
·existing and expected interest rate levels;
·the balance of payments; and
·the extent of governmental surpluses or deficits in the countries represented in its underlying index and the United States.

 

All of these factors are in turn sensitive to the monetary, fiscal and trade policies pursued by the governments of various countries represented in its underlying index and the United States and other countries important to international trade and finance. The amount we pay in respect of the Notes on the maturity date, if any, will be determined solely in accordance with the procedures described in this document.

 

 PS-10 

 

 

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

 

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

 

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

 

4 Principal Amount: $1,000
     
4 Hypothetical Initial Value: 100*
     
4 Hypothetical Barrier Value: 75, which is 75% of the Hypothetical Initial Value
     
4 Hypothetical Coupon Trigger: 75, which is 75% of the Hypothetical Initial Value
     
4 Contingent Coupon Rate: 10.50% per annum (2.625% for each quarter in which it is payable). If the Official Closing Value of each Underlying on every Coupon Observation Date is greater than or equal to its Coupon Trigger, the Contingent Coupon paid over the term of the Notes would total $735.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes.

 

* The hypothetical Initial Value of $100 used in the examples below has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual Initial Value. The actual Initial Value of each Underlying is set forth on page PS-4 above.

 

Summary of the Examples**

 

  Notes Are Called on
a Coupon
Observation Date
Notes Are Not Called on Any
Coupon Observation Date
  Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Initial Value 100 100 100
Barrier Value 75 75 75
Coupon Trigger 75 75 75
Official Closing Value / Percentage Change on the First Coupon Observation Date 85/-15% 75/-25% 55/-45%
Official Closing Value / Percentage Change on the Second Coupon Observation Date 90/-10% 80/-20% 55/-45%
Official Closing Value / Percentage Change on the Third Coupon Observation Date 105/5% 75/-25% 55/-45%
Official Closing Value / Percentage Change on the Fourth Coupon Observation Date 110/10% 65/-35% 50/-50%
Official Closing Value / Percentage Change on the Fifth Coupon Observation Date N/A 65/-35% 50/-50%
Official Closing Value / Percentage Change on the Sixth Coupon Observation Date N/A 55/-45% 55/-45%
Official Closing Value / Percentage Change on the Seventh Coupon Observation Date N/A 50/-50% 55/-45%
Official Closing Value / Percentage Change on the Eighth Coupon Observation Date N/A 95/-5% 50/-50%
Official Closing Value / Percentage Change on the Ninth through Twenty Seventh Coupon Observation Date N/A 50/-50% 50/-50%
Official Closing Values of the Least Performing Underlying / Percentage Change on the Final Valuation Date N/A 75/-25% 50/-50%
Contingent Coupon Payment Amounts Prior to Maturity or
Automatic Call
3 x $26.25 = $78.75 4 x $26.25 = $105.00 0 x $20.00 = $0.00
Payment if Notes are Called $1,026.25 N/A N/A
Payment at Maturity N/A $1,026.25 $1,000 + $1,000 x -50% =
$500.00
Return of the Notes 10.50% 13.125% -50.00%

 

** The table above illustrates, on any given Coupon Observation Date or the Final Valuation Date, the hypothetical price and percentage change of the Underlying with the greatest decline compared to its Initial Price (or, if none have declined on such date, the smallest increase).

 

 PS-11 

 

 

Example 1The Official Closing Value of each Underlying on the fourth Coupon Observation Date is greater than or equal to its Initial Value and each Underlying closed at or above its Coupon Trigger (but below its Initial Value) on the three prior Coupon Observation Dates.

 

Underlying   Initial Value   Final Value
SPX   100.00   130.00 (130.00% of Initial Value)
FXI   100.00   120.00 (120.00% of Initial Value)
MDY   100.00   110.00 (110.00% of Initial Value)

 

   
Payment Upon a Call $1,026.25

 

Because the Official Closing Value of each Underlying on the fourth Coupon Observation Date is at or above its Initial Value, the Notes will be called and you will receive $1,026.25 per Note, reflecting the Principal Amount plus the Contingent Coupon. When added to the Contingent Coupon payments of $78.75 received in respect of the prior Coupon Observation Dates, we will have paid you a total of $1,105.00 per Note, resulting in an 10.50% return on the Notes.

 

Example 2The Notes are not called, the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Barrier Value, and each Underlying closed at or above its Coupon Trigger (but below its Initial Level) on four of the Coupon Observation Dates prior to the Final Valuation Date.

 

Underlying   Initial Value   Final Value
SPX   100.00   75.00 (75.00% of Initial Value)
FXI   100.00   80.00 (80.00% of Initial Value)
MDY   100.00   110.00 (110.00% of Initial Value)

 

SPX is the Least Performing Underlying.

 

   
Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying: 75.00%
Final Settlement Value: $1,026.25

 

Because the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Barrier Value, you will receive $1,000 per $1,000 in Principal Amount plus the final Contingent Coupon, calculated as follows:

 

Payment at Maturity = $1,000 + $26.25 = $1,026.25

 

When added to the Contingent Coupon payments of $105.00 received in respect of prior Coupon Observation Dates, we will have paid you a total of $1,131.25 per Note, resulting in a 13.125% return on the Notes.

 

Example 3The Notes are not called, the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Barrier Value, and the Underlyings did not all close at or above their respective Coupon Triggers on any Coupon Observation Date.

 

Underlying   Initial Value   Final Value
SPX   100.00   50.00 (50.00% of Initial Value)
FXI   100.00   80.00 (80.00% of Initial Value)
MDY   100.00   75.00 (75.00% of Initial Value)

 

SPX is the Least Performing Underlying.

 

   
Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying: 50.00%
Final Settlement Value: $500.00

 

Because the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Barrier Value, you will receive $500 per $1,000 in Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

Payment at Maturity = $1,000 + ($1,000 x -50.00%) = $500.00

 

Because there was no Contingent Coupon payable in respect of the prior Coupon Observation Dates, we will pay you a total of $500.00, resulting in a -50.00% return on the Notes.

 

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

 

 PS-12 

 

 

INFORMATION RELATING TO THE UNDERLYINGS

 

Description of the SPX

 

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

 

As of July 31, 2017, companies with multiple share class lines are no longer eligible for inclusion in the SPX. Constituents of the SPX prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines have been grandfathered in and will continue to be included in the SPX. If a constituent company of the SPX reorganizes into a multiple share class line structure, that company will remain in the SPX at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee in order to minimize turnover.

 

The top 5 industry groups by market capitalization as of November 30, 2017 were: Information Technology, Financials, Health Care, Consumer Discretionary and Industrials.

 

For more information about the SPX, see “The S&P 500Ò Index” beginning on page S-44 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

    

Historical Performance of the SPX

 

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the SPX based on the daily historical closing levels from January 1, 2008 through December 20, 2017. We obtained the closing levels below from the Bloomberg Professional® service. We have not undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, the information obtained from the Bloomberg Professional® service.

 

 

The historical 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 on the Final Valuation Date.

 

 PS-13 

 

 

Description of the FXI

 

The iShares® FTSE China Large-Cap ETF seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of 25 of the largest and most liquid Chinese companies that publicly trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and are available to international investors, as measured by the FTSE China 25 Index. The returns of the Reference Asset may be affected by certain management fees and other expenses, which are detailed in its prospectus.

 

For more information about the FXI, see “The iShares® FTSE Large-Cap ETF” beginning on page S-14 of the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement.

 

Historical Performance of the FXI

 

The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low closing values, as well as end-of-quarter closing values of the FXI for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2008 through December 20, 2017. We obtained the data in this table from the Bloomberg Professional® service, without independent verification by us. All historical values are denominated in US dollars and rounded to the nearest penny.     The graph below illustrates the daily performance of the FXI from January 1, 2008 through December 20, 2017 based on information from the Bloomberg Professional® service. Historical values and past performance of the FXI is not indicative of its future performance.
       
Quarter Ending Quarter
High ($)
Quarter
Low ($)
Quarter
Close ($)
   
March 31, 2008 59.25 41.14 45.05    
June 30, 2008 54.58 43.13 43.83    
September 30, 2008 47.20 30.88 34.47    
December 31, 2008 34.35 19.36 28.75    
March 31, 2009 31.58 22.80 28.52    
June 30, 2009 40.12 29.23 38.37    
September 30, 2009 43.78 36.51 40.94    
December 31, 2009 46.35 39.48 42.01    
March 31, 2010 44.56 37.17 42.10    
June 30, 2010 44.59 37.01 39.13    
September 30, 2010 42.85 38.73 42.82    
December 31, 2010 47.93 42.20 42.67    
March 31, 2011 44.96 41.16 44.96    
June 30, 2011 46.40 41.11 42.95    
September 30, 2011 43.31 30.83 30.83    
December 31, 2011 38.95 29.75 34.87    
March 31, 2012 40.48 35.15 36.63    
June 30, 2012 38.34 31.83 33.67    
September 30, 2012 35.29 32.09 34.61    
December 31, 2012 40.48 34.91 40.48    
March 30, 2013 41.86 36.33 36.90    
June 30, 2013 38.62 31.70 32.52    
September 30, 2013 39.15 31.73 37.08    
December 31, 2013 40.19 36.42 38.35    
March 31, 2014 37.12 32.98 35.78    
June 30, 2014 38.28 34.59 37.04    
September 30, 2014 42.52 37.32 38.28    
December 31, 2014 41.98 37.46 41.62    
March 31, 2015 44.74 40.77 44.45    
June 30, 2015 52.72 45.00 46.10    
September 30, 2015 45.81 33.58 35.47    
December 31, 2015 40.37 34.53 35.29    
March 31, 2016 34.15 28.44 33.77    
June 30, 2016 35.12 31.24 34.22    
September 30, 2016 39.02 33.45 38.01    
December 31, 2016 39.04 33.97 34.71    
March 31, 2017 39.62 35.15 38.49    
June 30, 2017 40.60 37.58 39.71    
September 30, 2017 45.07 39.48 44.04      
December 20, 2017* 48.32 44.04 45.76      
* This document includes, for the fourth calendar quarter of 2017, data for the period from October 1, 2017 through December 20, 2017. Accordingly, the “Quarter High,” “Quarter Low” and “Quarter Close” data indicated are for this shortened period only and do not reflect complete data for the fourth calendar quarter of 2017.

 

 PS-14 

 

 

Description of the MDY

 

We have derived all information relating to the S&P® Midcap 400 ETF Trust (“MDY”), including, without limitation, its make-up, performance, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available sources. That information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by its sponsor, PDR Services, LLC (“PDR”). We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information derived from these public sources.

 

Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the MDY under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 can be located by reference to its Central Index Key, or CIK, 936958 through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Additional information about PDR and the MDY may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents and the SPDR website at http://www.spdrs.com. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Information contained in the SPDR website is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered a part of, this document.

 

The MDY seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P MidCap 400® Index (the “MID”). To maintain the correspondence between the composition and weightings of stocks held by the MDY and component stocks of the MID, the MDY adjusts its holdings from time to time to conform to periodic changes in the identity and/or relative weightings of the index securities. The returns of the MDY may be affected by certain management fees and other expenses, which are detailed in its prospectus.

 

The MDY utilizes a “passive” or “indexing” investment approach in attempting to track the performance of the MID. The MDY will invest in all of the securities which comprise the MID. As of September 30, 2016, the top 5 industry groups by market capitalization of the MID were: Information Technology, Financials, Industrials, Real Estate and Consumer Discretionary.

 

Description of the S&P MidCap 400® Index

 

We have derived all information contained in this document regarding the MID, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P”). Neither we nor any of our affiliates has undertaken any independent review or due diligence of such information. The MID is calculated, maintained and published by S&P. S&P has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the MID.

 

S&P Publishes the MID

 

The MID is comprised of 400 companies with mid-sized market capitalizations ranging from $1.4 billion to $5.9 billion and covers over 7% of the United States equities market. The calculation of the value of the MID (discussed below in further detail) is based on the relative value of the aggregate Market Value (as defined below) of the common stocks of 400 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average Market Value of the common stocks of 400 similar companies during the base period of June 28, 1991. Historically, the “Market Value” of any S&P component stock was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the number of the then-outstanding shares of such S&P component stock. As discussed below, during March 2005, S&P began to use a new methodology to calculate the Market Value of the S&P component stocks and S&P completed its transition to the new calculation methodology during September 2005.

 

S&P chooses companies for inclusion in the MID 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 medium capitalization segment of the U.S. equities market. S&P may from time to time, in its sole discretion, add companies to, or delete companies from, the MID to achieve these objectives.

 

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.

 

Computation of the MID

 

Prior to March 2005, the Market Value of a component stock was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the total number of outstanding shares of the component stock. In March 2004, S&P announced that it would transition the MID to float-adjusted market capitalization weights. The transition began in March 2005 and was completed in September 2005. S&P’s criteria for selecting stock for the MID was not changed by the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company’s weight in the MID (i.e., its Market Value). Currently, S&P calculates the MID based on the total float-adjusted market capitalization of each component stock, where each stock’s weight in the MID is proportional to its float-adjusted Market Value.

 

Under the float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the SPX reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company’s outstanding shares. The float adjustment excludes shares that are closely held by control groups, other publicly traded companies or government agencies.

 

All shareholdings representing more than 5% of a stock’s outstanding shares, other than holdings by “block owners,” are removed from the float for purposes of calculating the SPX. Generally, these “control holders” will include officers and directors, private equity, venture capital and special equity firms, other publicly traded companies that hold shares for control, strategic partners, holders of restricted shares, ESOPs, employee and family trusts, foundations associated with the company, holders of unlisted share classes of stock, government entities at all levels (other than government retirement/pension funds) and any individual person who controls a 5% or greater stake in a company as reported in regulatory filings. However, holdings by block owners, such as depositary banks, pension funds, mutual funds and ETF providers, 401(k) plans of the company, government retirement/pension funds, investment funds of insurance companies, asset managers and investment funds, independent foundations and savings and investment plans, will ordinarily

 

 PS-15 

 

 

be considered part of the float. Treasury stock, stock options, restricted shares, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and rights are not part of the float. Shares of a U.S. company traded in Canada as “exchangeable shares” are normally part of the float unless those shares form a control block. If a company has multiple classes of stock outstanding, shares in an unlisted or non-traded class are treated as a control block. For each stock, an investable weight factor (“IWF”) is calculated by dividing the available float shares, defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held in one or more of the three groups listed above where the group holdings exceed 5% of the outstanding shares, by the total shares outstanding. The float-adjusted index is then calculated by dividing the sum of the IWF multiplied by both the price and the total shares outstanding for each stock by an index divisor (the “Divisor”). For companies with multiple classes of stock, S&P calculates the weighted average IWF for each stock using the proportion of the total company market capitalization of each share class as weights.

 

The MID is also calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology: the level of the MID reflects the total Market Value of all the component stocks relative to the MID base date of June 28, 1991. The daily calculation of the MID is computed by dividing the Market Value of the MID component stocks by the Divisor, which is adjusted from time to time as discussed below.

 

Ongoing maintenance of the MID includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for additions and deletions of the constituent companies, share changes, stock splits, stock dividends and stock price adjustments due to company restructurings or spin-offs. Continuity in the level of the MID is maintained by adjusting the Divisor for all changes in the MID constituents’ share capital after the base date of June 28, 1991 with the index value as of the base date set at 100. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends do not require Divisor adjustments because following a stock split or stock dividend, both the stock price and number of shares outstanding are adjusted by S&P so that there is no change in the Market Value of the component stock. All stock split and dividend adjustments are made after the close of trading on the day before the ex-date.

 

To prevent the level of the MID from changing due to corporate actions, all corporate actions which affect the total Market Value of the MID also require a Divisor adjustment. By adjusting the Divisor for the change in total Market Value, the level of the MID remains constant. This helps maintain the level of the MID as an accurate barometer of stock market performance and ensures that the movement of the MID does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the MID. All Divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the closing levels of the MID. As noted in the preceding paragraph, some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends, require simple changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the MID and do not require Divisor adjustments.

 

The table below summarizes the types of MID maintenance adjustments and indicates whether or not a Divisor adjustment is required.

 

Type of Corporate Action Comments Divisor
Adjustment
Company added/deleted Net change in market value determines Divisor adjustment. Yes
Change in shares outstanding Any combination of secondary issuance, share repurchase or buy back—share counts revised to reflect change. Yes
Stock split Share count revised to reflect new count. Divisor adjustment is not required since the share count and price changes are offsetting. No
Spin-off If spun-off company is not being added to the index, the divisor adjustment reflects the decline in Index Market Value (i.e., the value of the spun-off unit). Yes
Spin-off Spun-off company added to the index, no company removed from the index. No
Spin-off Spun-off company added to the index, another company removed to keep number of names fixed. Divisor adjustment reflects deletion. Yes
Change in IWF Increasing (decreasing) the IWF increases (decreases) the total market value of the index. The Divisor change reflects the change in market value caused by the change to an IWF. Yes
Special dividend When a company pays a special dividend the share price is assumed to drop by the amount of the dividend; the divisor adjustment reflects this drop in Index Market Value. Yes
Rights offering Each shareholder receives the right to buy a proportional number of additional shares at a set (often discounted) price. The calculation assumes that the offering is fully subscribed. Divisor adjustment reflects increase in market cap measured as the shares issued multiplied by the price paid. Yes

 

Each of the corporate events exemplified in the table requiring an adjustment to the Divisor has the effect of altering the Market Value of the component stock and consequently of altering the aggregate Market Value of the MID component stocks (the “Post-Event Aggregate Market Value”). In order that the level of the MID (the “Pre-Event Index Value”) not be affected by the altered Market Value (whether increase or decrease) of the affected component stock, a new Divisor (“New Divisor”) is derived as follows:

 

Post-Event Aggregate Market Value = Pre-Event Index Value
New Divisor
New Divisor = Post-Event Aggregate Market Value
Pre-Event Index Value

 

A large part of the MID maintenance process involves tracking the changes in the number of shares outstanding of each of the companies whose stocks are included in the MID. Four times a year, on a Friday close to the end of each calendar quarter, the share totals of companies in the MID are updated as required by any changes in the number of shares outstanding and then the Divisor is

 

 PS-16 

 

 

adjusted accordingly. In addition, changes in a company’s shares outstanding of 5% or more due to mergers, acquisitions, public offerings, private placements, tender offers, Dutch auctions or exchange offers are made as soon as reasonably possible. Other changes of 5% or more (due to, for example, company stock repurchases, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, notes, debt, equity participations or other recapitalizations) are made weekly, and are announced on Fridays for implementation after the close of trading on the following Friday (one week later). If a 5% or more change causes a company’s IWF to change by 5 percentage points or more (for example from 0.80 to 0.85), the IWF will be updated at the same time as the share change, except IWF changes resulting from partial tender offers will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Changes to an IWF of less than 5 percentage points are implemented at the next IWF review, which occurs annually. In the case of certain rights issuances, in which the number of rights issued and/or terms of their exercise are deemed substantial, a price adjustment and share increase may be implemented immediately.

 

Historical Performance of the MDY

 

The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low closing values, as well as end-of-quarter closing values of the MDY for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2008 through December 20, 2017. We obtained the data in this table from the Bloomberg Professional® service, without independent verification by us. All historical values are denominated in US dollars and rounded to the nearest penny.     The graph below illustrates the daily performance of the MDY from January 1, 2008 through December 20, 2017 based on information from the Bloomberg Professional® service. Historical values and past performance of the MDY is not indicative of its future performance.
       
Quarter Ending Quarter
High ($)
Quarter
Low ($)
Quarter
Close ($)
   
March 31, 2008 155.01 135.77 141.27    
June 30, 2008 163.31 141.27 148.76    
September 30, 2008 149.99 127.11 131.83    
December 31, 2008 131.83 76.20 97.18    
March 31, 2009 101.54 73.63 88.65    
June 30, 2009 109.15 88.65 105.31    
September 30, 2009 128.56 99.39 125.28    
December 31, 2009 134.20 119.54 131.76    
March 31, 2010 145.22 125.76 143.16    
June 30, 2010 154.03 129.16 129.16    
September 30, 2010 145.59 126.93 145.59    
December 31, 2010 165.71 144.46 164.68    
March 31, 2011 179.55 164.68 179.55    
June 30, 2011 184.61 169.01 177.40    
September 30, 2011 183.58 140.96 142.13    
December 31, 2011 166.06 135.39 159.54    
March 31, 2012 182.84 159.54 180.67    
June 30, 2012 182.28 162.51 171.30    
September 30, 2012 187.35 166.37 179.92    
December 31, 2012 188.05 172.52 185.71    
March 30, 2013 209.72 185.71 209.72    
June 30, 2013 221.19 201.00 210.38    
September 30, 2013 229.36 210.38 226.33    
December 31, 2013 244.20 222.40 244.20    
March 31, 2014 253.00 230.30 250.57    
June 30, 2014 260.56 239.77 260.56    
September 30, 2014 262.60 248.33 249.32    
December 31, 2014 267.81 234.27 263.97    
March 31, 2015 279.67 256.41 277.24    
June 30, 2015 281.66 272.63 273.20    
September 30, 2015 276.81 245.62 248.89    
December 31, 2015 268.49 248.35 254.09    
March 31, 2016 262.72 225.58 262.72    
June 30, 2016 277.99 257.47 272.38    
September 30, 2016 288.35 269.65 282.27    
December 31, 2016 309.09 268.63 301.73    
March 31, 2017 319.92 301.73 312.42    
June 30, 2017 322.45 305.45 317.62    
September 30, 2017 326.41 308.35 326.33      
December 20, 2017* 346.03 326.33 345.16      
* This document includes, for the fourth calendar quarter of 2017, data for the period from October 1, 2017 through December 20, 2017. Accordingly, the “Quarter High,” “Quarter Low” and “Quarter Close” data indicated are for this shortened period only and do not reflect complete data for the fourth calendar quarter of 2017.

 

 PS-17 

 

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION

 

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

 

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

 

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

 

We have appointed HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of HSBC, as the agent for the sale of the Notes. Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will purchase the Notes from HSBC at the price to public less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement for distribution to other registered broker-dealers or will offer the Notes directly to investors. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will offer the Notes at the price to public set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay varying underwriting discounts of up to 3.35% per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers.

 

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

 

In addition, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of its affiliates or agents may use this pricing supplement 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.

 

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

 

See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page S-59 in the prospectus supplement.

 

 PS-18 

 

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

There is no direct legal authority as to the proper tax treatment of the Notes, and therefore significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Notes are uncertain as to both the timing and character of any inclusion in income in respect of the Notes. Under one approach, a Note should be treated as a contingent income-bearing pre-paid executory contract with respect to the Underlyings. 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 a Note as a contingent income-bearing pre-paid executory contract with respect to the Underlyings. Because there are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of securities with terms that are substantially the same as those of the Notes, other characterizations and treatments are possible and the timing and character of income in respect of the Notes might differ from the treatment described herein. For example, the Notes could be treated as debt instruments that are “contingent payment debt instruments” for U.S. federal income tax purposes subject to the treatment described under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Treatment of U.S. Holders — U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Notes as Indebtedness for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes — Contingent Notes” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

We will not attempt to ascertain whether an Underlying or any of the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, an Underlying, 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 an Underlying or one or more of the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, an Underlying, 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 Underlyings and the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, the Underlyings, as the case may be, and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you if an Underlying or one or more of the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, an Underlying, as the case may be, is or becomes a PFIC or a USRPHC.

 

U.S. Holders. Please see the discussion under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Treatment of U.S. Holders — Certain Notes Treated as a Put Option and a Deposit or an Executory Contract — Certain Notes Treated as Executory Contracts” in the accompanying prospectus supplement for further discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. holders (as defined in the accompanying prospectus supplement). Pursuant to the approach discussed above, we intend to treat any gain or loss upon maturity or an earlier sale, exchange, or call as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time (other than with respect to a Contingent Coupon) and your tax basis in the Note. Any such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the Note for more than one year at such time for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Your tax basis in a Note generally will equal your cost of the Note. In addition, the tax treatment of the Contingent Coupons is unclear. Although the tax treatment of the Contingent Coupons is unclear, we intend to treat any Contingent Coupon, including on the Maturity Date, as ordinary income includible in income by you at the time it accrues or is received in accordance with your normal method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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

 

A “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, Internal Revenue Service guidance provides that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2019. Based on the Issuer’s determination that the Notes are not “delta-one” instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting an Underlying or the Notes, and following such occurrence the Notes could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S. holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of an Underlying or the Notes should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the Notes and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.

 

 PS-19 

 

 

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. The Internal Revenue Service has announced that withholding under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (as discussed in the accompanying prospectus supplement) on payments of gross proceeds from a sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the Notes will only apply to dispositions after December 31, 2018.

 

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

 

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

 

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES

 

In the opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP, as counsel to the Issuer, when this pricing supplement has been attached to, and duly notated on, the master note that represents the Notes pursuant to the Senior Indenture referred to in the prospectus supplement dated March 5, 2015, and issued and paid for as contemplated herein, the Notes offered by this pricing supplement will be valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Issuer, entitled to the benefits of the Senior Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith).  This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the Maryland General Corporation Law (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Maryland Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting the foregoing) and the federal laws of the United States of America.  This opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Senior Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and to such counsel’s reliance on the Issuer and other sources as to certain factual matters, all as stated in the legal opinion dated March 5, 2015, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.3 to the Issuer’s registration statement on Form S-3 dated March 5, 2015.

 

 PS-20 

 

   

TABLE OF CONTENTS    

 

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

 

 

 

 

HSBC USA Inc.

 

$3,594,000 Autocallable
Contingent Income Barrier Notes
Linked to the Least Performing of
the S&P 500® Index, the iShares®
FTSE China Large-Cap ETF and
the S&P® Midcap 400 ETF Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 20, 2017

 

 

Pricing Supplement

 

     
Pricing Supplement    
General PS-5  
Payment on the Notes PS-5  
Investor Suitability PS-6  
Risk Factors PS-7  
Illustrative Examples PS-10  
Information Relating to the Underlyings PS-12  
Events of Default and Acceleration PS-16  
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) PS-18  
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations PS-19  
Validity of the Notes PS-20  
     
Equity Index Underlying Supplement    
Risk Factors S-2  
The DAX® Index S-7  
The Dow Jones Industrial Average® S-9  
The EURO STOXX 50® Index S-11  
The FTSE® 100 Index S-13  
The Hang Seng® Index S-14  
The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index S-16  
The KOSPI 200 Index S-19  
The MSCI Indices S-22  
The NASDAQ 100 Index® S-26  
The Nikkei 225 Index S-30  
The PHLX Housing SectorSM Index S-32  
The Russell 2000® Index S-36  
The S&P 100® Index S-40  
The S&P 500® Index S-44  
The S&P 500® Low Volatility Index S-47  
The S&P BRIC 40 Index S-50  
The S&P MidCap 400® Index S-52  
The TOPIX® Index S-55  
Additional Terms of the Notes S-57  
     
ETF Underlying Supplement    
Risk Factors S-1  
Reference Sponsors and Index Funds S-7  
The Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund S-8  
The Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund S-10  
The Health Care Select Sector SPDR® Fund S-12  
The iShares® China Large-Cap ETF S-14  
The iShares® Latin America 40 ETF S-17  
The iShares® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF S-19  
The iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF S-21  
The iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF S-23  
The iShares® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF S-25  
The iShares® Transportation Average ETF S-27  
The iShares® U.S. Real Estate ETF S-28  
The Market Vectors® Gold Miners ETF S-29  
The Powershares QQQ TrustSM, Series 1 S-31  
The SPDR® Dow Jones Industrial Average® ETF Trust S-34  
The SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust S-36  
The Vanguard® FTSE Emerging Markets ETF S-39  
The WisdomTree® Japan Hedged Equity Fund S-42  
Additional Terms of the Notes S-44  
     
Prospectus Supplement    
Risk Factors S-1  
Pricing Supplement S-8  
Description of Notes S-10  
Use of Proceeds and Hedging S-33  
Certain ERISA Considerations S-34  
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations S-37  
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) S-59  
     
Prospectus    
About this Prospectus 1  
Risk Factors 2  
Where You Can Find More Information 3  
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 4  
HSBC USA Inc. 6  
Use of Proceeds 7  
Description of Debt Securities 8  
Description of Preferred Stock 19  
Description of Warrants 25  
Description of Purchase Contracts 29  
Description of Units 32  
Book-Entry Procedures 35  
Limitations on Issuances in Bearer Form 40  
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to Debt Securities 40  
Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) 49  
Notice to Canadian Investors 52  
Notice to EEA Investors 53  
Notice to UK Investors 54  
UK Financial Promotion 54  
Certain ERISA Matters 55  
Legal Opinions 57  
Experts 58