424B2 1 tv482052_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   $ 4,370,000   $ 544.07

(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

Dated December 21, 2017

(To Prospectus dated March 5, 2015,

Prospectus Supplement dated March 5, 2015 and

ETF Underlying Supplement dated March 5, 2015)

 

HSBC USA Inc.

Callable Notes

with Contingent Return

 

4$4,370,000 Callable Notes with Contingent Return Linked to the Least Performing of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF and the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund

 

43-year term

 

4Contingent coupons at a rate of 11.75% per annum (5.875% semi-annually), payable semi-annually if the closing price of each Underlying on the applicable coupon observation date is greater than or equal to 70% of its Initial Price

 

4Callable semi-annually at our option at the principal amount plus the applicable contingent coupon on or after June 21, 2018

 

4If the notes are not called, full exposure to declines in the least performing reference asset if its return is less than -30%

 

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

 

The Callable Notes with Contingent Return (each a “Note” and collectively the “Notes”) offered hereunder will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or automated quotation system.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Notes or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of this document, the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement or 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 PS-18 of this pricing supplement.

 

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

 

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes on the Pricing Date is $985 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-3 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 $0.00 $1,000.00
Total $4,370,000.00 $0.00 $4,370,000.00
       

1 HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay referral fees of up to 0.40% 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-16 of this pricing supplement.

 

The Notes:

 

Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

 

 

 

 

 

HSBC USA Inc.
Callable Notes with Contingent Return

 

This pricing supplement relates to a single offering of Callable Notes with Contingent Return. The Notes will have the terms described in this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement, prospectus and ETF Underlying Supplement. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying prospectus supplement, prospectus 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 least performing of two index funds. 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 SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF (“XBI”) and the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund (“XLK”) (each, an “Underlying” and together, the “Underlyings”)
Trade Date: December 21, 2017
Pricing Date: December 21, 2017
Original Issue Date: December 29, 2017
Final Valuation Date: December 23, 2020, subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes―Valuation Dates” in the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement.
Maturity Date: December 29, 2020. 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 Underlying Supplement.
Call Feature: The Notes are callable at our option, in whole, but not in part, on each semi-annual Call Payment Date beginning on June 21, 2018 and ending on June 29, 2020. In order to call the Notes, we or the calculation agent will distribute written notice to The Depository Trust Company of our intent to call the Notes on or prior to the applicable Call Notice Date. We or the calculation agent will have no independent obligation to notify you directly and you should expect to receive such notifications from your broker. If the Notes are called, you will receive the Principal Amount plus the applicable Contingent Coupon on the corresponding Call Payment Date.
Call Payment Dates: June 21, 2018, December 31, 2018, July 1, 2019, December 30, 2019, and June 29, 2020, each subject to postponement as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Coupon Payment Dates, Call Payment Dates and Maturity Date” in the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement.  
Call Notice Date: 3 business days prior to the relevant Call Payment Date.
Contingent Coupon:

If the Official Closing Price of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Trigger on the relevant Coupon Observation Date, you will receive the relevant Contingent Coupon of at least $58.75 (to be determined on the Pricing Date) per $1,000 in Principal Amount on the applicable Coupon Payment Date.

 

If the Official Closing Price of either Underlying is less than its Coupon Trigger on the relevant Coupon Observation Date, the Contingent Coupon applicable to such Coupon Observation Date will not be payable.

 

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

Contingent Coupon Rate: 11.75% per annum, equal to 5.875% semi-annually
Coupon Observation Dates: June 18, 2018, December 26, 2018, June 26, 2019, December 24, 2019, June 24, 2020 and the Final Valuation Date, each subject to postponement as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Valuation Dates” in the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement.

 

 FWP-2 

 

 

Coupon Payment Dates: June 21, 2018, December 31, 2018, July 1, 2019, December 30, 2019, June 29, 2020 and the Maturity Date, each subject to postponement as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Coupon Payment Dates, Call Payment Dates and Maturity Date” in the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement.
Coupon Trigger and Barrier Price: $58.156 with respect to the XBI, and $45.206 with respect to the XLK, each of which is 70% of its Initial Price.
Payment at Maturity: Unless the Notes are called prior to maturity, on the Maturity Date, for each $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes, we will pay you the Final Settlement Value.
Final Settlement Value:

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

 

n  If the Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to -30%:

 

$1,000 + final Contingent Coupon.

 

n  If the Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than -30%:

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

Final Price – Initial Price

Initial Price

Initial Price: $83.08 with respect to the XBI, and $64.58 with respect to the XLK, each of which was its Official Closing Price on the Pricing Date.
Final Price: With respect to each Underlying, its Official Closing Price on the Final Valuation Date.
Official Closing Price: With respect to each Underlying, the Official Closing Price on any trading day will be determined by the calculation agent based upon the closing price of such Underlying, displayed on the following pages on the Bloomberg Professional® service: for the XBI, page “XBI UP <EQUITY>” and for the XLK, page “XLK UP <EQUITY>”, as applicable, subject to adjustment by the Calculation Agent as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes — Antidilution and Reorganization Adjustments” in the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement. With respect to any of the foregoing, if the price for the relevant Underlying is not so displayed on such page, the calculation agent may refer to the display on any successor page on the Bloomberg Professional® service or any successor service, as applicable.
CUSIP/ISIN: 40435FML8 / US40435FML84
Form of Notes: Book-Entry
Listing: The Notes will not be listed on any U.S. 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.”

 

 FWP-3 

 

 

GENERAL

 

This pricing supplement relates to the offering of Notes identified on the cover page. 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 linked to either Underlying or any security held by 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 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 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 and page S-1 of the 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 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 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 and ETF Underlying Supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1-866-811-8049.

 

You may also obtain:

 

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

 

 FWP-4 

 

 

PAYMENT ON THE NOTES

 

Call Feature

 

The Notes may be called at our option, in whole, but not in part, on each Call Payment Date beginning on June 21, 2018 and ending on June 29, 2020. In order to call the Notes, we or the calculation agent will distribute written notice to The Depository Trust Company of our intent to call the Notes on or prior to the applicable Call Notice Date. We or the calculation agent will have no independent obligation to notify you directly and you should expect to receive such notifications from your broker. If the Notes are called, investors will receive on the corresponding Call Payment Date, a cash payment equal to 100% of the Principal Amount together with the applicable Contingent Coupon.

 

Contingent Coupon

 

We will pay a Contingent Coupon semi-annually on a Coupon Payment Date if the Official Closing Price of each Underlying on the applicable Coupon Observation Date is equal to or greater than 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 “Description of the Notes—Recipients of Interest Payments” beginning on page S-12 in the accompanying prospectus supplement. The Contingent Coupon Rate 11.75% per annum ($58.75 per $1,000 in Principal Amount semi-annually, if payable).

 

Payment at Maturity

 

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

 

n  If the Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to -30%:

 

$1,000 + final Contingent Coupon.

 

n  If the Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than -30%:

 

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

 

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

 

Calculation Agent

 

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

 

Reference Issuers

 

With respect to the XBI and XLK, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. is the Reference Issuer.

 

 FWP-5 

 

 

INVESTOR SUITABILITY

 

The Notes may be suitable for you if:

 

4You believe that the Official Closing Price of each Underlying will be at or above its Coupon Trigger on most or all of the Coupon Observation Dates and if not, the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying will be at or above its Barrier Price.

 

4You are willing to accept that the semi-annual Contingent Coupon (at a rate of 5.875%) is contingent and is payable only if the Official Closing Price 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 of either Underlying.

 

4You are willing to make an investment that is exposed to the potential downside performance of the Least Performing Underlying on a 1-to-1 basis if the Notes are not called and the Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than -30%.

 

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

 

4You are willing to hold Notes that will be callable at our option on any Call Payment Date beginning on June 21, 2018 and ending on June 29, 2020, or you are otherwise willing to hold the Notes to maturity.

 

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 willing to forgo dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks held by the Underlyings.

 

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

 

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 Price of at least one Underlying will be below its Coupon Trigger on most or all of the Coupon Observation Dates or the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying will be below its Barrier Price.

 

4You believe the semi-annual Contingent Coupon (at a rate of 5.875%) will not provide you with your desired return.

 

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

 

4You are unwilling to make an investment that is exposed to the potential downside performance of the Least Performing Underlying on a 1-to-1 basis if the Notes are not called and the Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than -30%.

 

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

 

4You are unable or unwilling to hold Notes that will be callable at our option on any Call Payment Date beginning on June 21, 2018 and ending on June 29, 2020, or you are otherwise unable or unwilling to hold the Notes to maturity.

 

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 prefer to receive guaranteed periodic interest payments on the Notes, or the dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks held by the Underlyings.

 

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

 

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

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

We urge you to read the section “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 in the accompanying prospectus 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 stocks held by either Underlying. 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 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 Notes described in the following sections:

 

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

 

4“—General Risks Related to the Index Funds” 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 return of principal and you may lose all of your Principal Amount.

 

The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal. The Notes differ from ordinary debt securities in that we will not pay you 100% of the Principal Amount of your Notes if the Notes are not called prior to maturity and the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Barrier Price. 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 Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than zero. 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 Price of either Underlying on a Coupon Observation Date is less than its Coupon Trigger, we will not pay you the Contingent Coupon applicable to such Coupon Observation Date. If on each of the Coupon Observation Dates, the Official Closing Price of either 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 price of either Underlying.

 

Whether the Notes are called or held to maturity, the maximum payments on the Notes will be Principal Amount plus the Contingent Coupons, regardless of any appreciation in the price of either Underlying, which may be significant. Accordingly, an investment in the Notes may have a lower return than an investment in the stocks represented by an Underlying during the term of the Notes.

 

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 Contingent Coupons 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 called at our option prior to the Maturity Date.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Since the Notes are linked to the performance of more than one Underlying, the Notes will be linked to the individual performance of each Underlying. Because the Notes are not linked to a weighted basket, in which the risk is mitigated and diversified among all of the components of a basket, you will be exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the price of each Underlying. For example, in the case of notes linked to a weighted basket, the return would depend on the weighted aggregate performance of the basket components reflected as the

 

 FWP-7 

 

 

basket return. Thus, the depreciation of any basket component could be mitigated by the appreciation of another basket component, as scaled by the weightings of such basket components. However, in the case of these Notes, the individual performance of each of the Underlyings would not be combined to calculate your return and the depreciation of either Underlying would not be mitigated by the appreciation of the other Underlying. Instead, your return would depend on the Least Performing Underlying.

 

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

 

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

 

The performance and market value of the Underlyings during periods of market volatility may not correlate with the performance of the related underlying index as well as the net asset value per share of that Underlying.

 

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

 

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 use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. As a result of the difference between our internal funding rate and the rate we would use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities, the Estimated Initial Value of the Notes may be lower if it were based on the prices at which our fixed or floating rate debt securities trade in the secondary market. In addition, if we were to use the rate we use for our conventional fixed or floating rate debt issuances, we would expect the economic terms of the Notes to be more favorable to you. We 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 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 prices of the Underlyings and changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments, and you should, therefore, be able and willing to hold the Notes to maturity. Any sale of the Notes prior to maturity could result in a loss to you.

 

 FWP-8 

 

 

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 6 months after the Original Issue Date. This temporary price difference may exist because, in our discretion, we may elect to effectively reimburse to investors a portion of the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the Notes and other costs in connection with the Notes that we will no longer expect to incur over the term of the Notes. We will make such discretionary election and determine this temporary reimbursement period on the basis of a number of factors, including the tenor of the Notes and any agreement we may have with the distributors of the Notes. The amount of our estimated costs which we effectively reimburse to investors in this way may not be allocated ratably throughout the reimbursement period, and we may discontinue such reimbursement at any time or revise the duration of the reimbursement period after the Original Issue Date of the Notes based on changes in market conditions and other factors that cannot be predicted.

 

The amount payable on the Notes is not linked to the prices 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 Prices 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 price of each 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 drops on a Coupon Observation Date to a price that is less than its Coupon Trigger, the Contingent Coupon will not be payable for the relevant semi-annual period. Similarly, if the Notes are not called, even if the price of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Barrier Price during the term of the Notes other than on the Final Valuation Date but then decreases on the Final Valuation Date to a price that is less than the Barrier Price, the Payment at Maturity will be less, possibly significantly less, than it would have been had the Payment at Maturity been linked to the price of the Least Performing Underlying prior to such decrease. Although the actual prices of the Underlyings on the Maturity Date or at other times during the term of the Notes may be higher than their respective prices 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 Prices of the Underlyings on the applicable Coupon Observation Dates.

 

Changes that affect an Underlying or its underlying index may affect the price of that Underlying and the market value of the Notes and the amount you will receive on the Notes.

 

The policies of the Reference Issuer of an Underlying or the index sponsor of its underlying index, concerning additions, deletions and substitutions of the constituents comprising that Underlying or its Underlying Index, as applicable, and the manner in which the Reference Issuer or the index sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting those constituents held by an Underlying or included in its Underlying Index may affect the price of that Underlying. The policies of the Reference Issuer or the index sponsor with respect to the calculation of an Underlying or its Underlying Index, as applicable, could also affect the price of that Underlying. The Reference Issuer or the index sponsor may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of an Underlying or its Underlying Index, as applicable. Any such actions could affect the price of an Underlying and the value of the Notes.

 

Owning the Notes is not the same as owning either of the Underlyings or the stocks comprising their underlying indices.

 

The return on your Notes may not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned either of the Underlyings or stocks included in the related underlying index. As a holder of the Notes, you will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or other rights as would holders of either Underlying or the stocks included in the related underlying index.

 

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

 

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

 

The 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

 

 FWP-9 

 

 

of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the Notes. We will not have any obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the Notes in taking any action that might affect the value of your Notes.

 

Uncertain tax treatment.

 

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

 

 FWP-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 price of either Underlying relative to its Initial Price. We cannot predict the Official Closing Price of either Underlying 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 the Underlyings or return on the Notes.

 

The table below illustrates the Final Settlement Value on a $1,000 investment in the Notes for a hypothetical range of Final Returns of the Least Performing Underlying from -100% to +100%. The following results are based solely on the assumptions outlined below. The “Hypothetical Return on the Notes” as used below is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the Payment at Maturity per $1,000 Principal Amount to $1,000. The potential returns described here assume that we do not call the Notes and your Notes are held to maturity. You should consider carefully whether the Notes are suitable to your investment goals. If the Official Closing Price of each Underlying on every Coupon Observation Date is greater than or equal to its Coupon Trigger, the Contingent Coupons paid over the term of the Notes would total $352.50 per $1,000 in Principal Amount (based on the Contingent Coupon Rate of 11.75% per annum (5.875% semi-annually)). 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 Price: $58.75 with respect to each Underlying*
4 Hypothetical Coupon Trigger: $35.00 with respect to each Underlying (70% of its Initial Price)*
4 Hypothetical Barrier Price: $35.00 with respect to each Underlying (70% of its Initial Price)*
4 Contingent Coupon Rate: 11.75% per annum (5.875% semi-annually)

*The actual Initial Price, Coupon Trigger and Barrier Price of each Underlying is set forth on page PS-3 of this pricing supplement.

 

Summary of the Examples

 

Hypothetical
Final Price of the Least
Performing Underlying
Hypothetical Final
Return of the Least
Performing Underlying
Hypothetical
Final Settlement Value
Hypothetical
Return on the Notes
(Excluding Any Contingent
Coupons Payable Prior to the
Maturity Date)
$100.00 100.00% $1,058.75 5.875%
$90.00 80.00% $1,058.75 5.875%
$80.00 60.00% $1,058.75 5.875%
$70.00 40.00% $1,058.75 5.875%
$60.00 20.00% $1,058.75 5.875%
$50.00 0.00% $1,058.75 5.875%
$45.00 -10.00% $1,058.75 5.875%
$40.00 -20.00% $1,058.75 5.875%
$35.00 -30.00% $1,058.75 5.875%
$30.00 -40.00% $600.00 -40.00%
$25.00 -50.00% $500.00 -50.00%
$20.00 -60.00% $400.00 -60.00%
$15.00 -70.00% $300.00 -70.00%
$10.00 -80.00% $200.00 -80.00%
$0.00 -100.00% $0.00 -100.00%

 

 FWP-11 

 

 

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

 

Example 1: The price of the Least Performing Underlying increases from its Initial Price to its Final Price by 60%.

 

       
Underlying

Initial Price

 

Final Price

 

 
XBI $50.00 $85.00 (170% of its Initial Price)  
XLK $50.00 $80.00 (160% of its Initial Price)  
         

XLK is the Least Performing Underlying. Because the price of XLK increases by 60% from its Initial Price to its Final Price, the Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying is 60.00%, calculated as follows:

 

Final Price of XLK – Initial Price of XLK

Initial Price of XLK

 

($80.00 - $50.00) / $50.00 = 60.00%

 

Because the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying is above its Barrier Price, the Final Settlement Value would be $1,058.75 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

  $1,000 + Final Contingent Coupon
  = $1,000 + ($1,000 × 5.875%)
  = $1,058.75

Example 1 shows that you will receive the return of your principal investment plus the final Contingent Coupon when the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying is above its Barrier Price and Coupon Trigger, even though the increase in the price of the Least Performing Underlying is significant.

 

Example 2: The price of the Least Performing Underlying decreases from its Initial Price to its Final Price by 20%.

 

       
Underlying

Initial Price

 

Final Price

 

 
XBI $50.00 $40.00 (80% of its Initial Price)  
XLK $50.00 $65.00 (130% of its Initial Price)  
         

XBI is the Least Performing Underlying. Because the price of XBI decreases by 20% from its Initial Price to its Final Price, the Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying is -20.00%, calculated as follows:

 

Final Price of XBI – Initial Price of XBI

Initial Price of XBI

 

($40.00 - $50.00) / $50.00 = -20.00%

 

Because the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying is above its Barrier Price and Coupon Trigger, the Final Settlement Value would be $1,058.75 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

  $1,000 + Final Contingent Coupon
  = $1,000 + ($1,000 × 5.875%)
  = $1,058.75

Example 2 shows that you will receive the return of your principal investment plus the final Contingent Coupon when the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying is above its Barrier Price and Coupon Trigger even though there is a decrease in the price of the Least Performing Underlying.

 

 FWP-12 

 

 

Example 3: The price of the Least Performing Underlying decreases from its Initial Price to its Final Price by 60%.

 

       
Underlying

Initial Price

 

Final Price

 

 
XBI $50.00 $40.00 (80% of its Initial Price)  
XLK $50.00 $20.00 (40% of its Initial Price)  
         

XLK is the Least Performing Underlying. Because the price of XLK decreases by 60% from its Initial Price to its Final Price, the Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying is -60.00%, calculated as follows:

 

Final Price of XLK – Initial Price of XLK

Initial Price of XLK

 

($20.00 - $50.00) / $50.00 = -60.00%

 

Because the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying is below its Barrier Price, the Final Settlement Value would be $400.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

  $1,000 + ($1,000 × (Final Return of the Least Performing Underlying)
  = $1,000 + ($1,000 × -60.00%)
  = $400.00

 

Example 3 shows that you are exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to declines in the price of the Least Performing Underlying if the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying is below its Barrier Price. YOU MAY LOSE UP TO 100% OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF YOUR NOTES.

 

 FWP-13 

 

 

INFORMATION RELATING TO THE UNDERLYINGS

 

Description of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF (“XBI”)

 

The XBI is an investment portfolio maintained and managed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc. The inception date of the XBI is January 31, 2006. The XBI is an exchange traded fund that trades on NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “XBI.”

 

The XBI seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P® Biotechnology Select Industry® Index (the “underlying index”). The underlying index represents the biotechnology sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Market Index (“S&P TMI”), an index that measures the performance of the U.S. equity market. The XBI is composed of companies that are in the biotechnology sector. The returns of the XBI may be affected by certain management fees and other expenses, which are detailed in its prospectus.

 

The XBI utilizes a “replication” investment approach in attempting to track the performance of its underlying index. The XBI typically invests in substantially all of the securities which comprise the underlying index in approximately the same proportions as the underlying index. The XBI will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in the common stocks that comprise the underlying index.

 

The S&P® Biotechnology Select Industry® Index

 

The underlying index is an equal-weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of the biotechnology sub-industry portion of the S&P TMI. The S&P TMI includes all U.S. common equities listed on the NYSE (including NYSE Arca), the NYSE MKT, the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and the NASDAQ Capital Market. Each of the component stocks in the underlying index is a constituent company within the biotechnology sub-industry portion of the S&P TMI.

 

To be eligible for inclusion in the underlying index, companies must be in the S&P TMI and must be included in the relevant Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sub-industry. The GICS was developed to establish a global standard for categorizing companies into sectors and industries. In addition to the above, companies must satisfy one of the two following combined size and liquidity criteria:

 

·float-adjusted market capitalization above US$500 million and float-adjusted liquidity ratio above 90%; or

 

·float-adjusted market capitalization above US$400 million and float-adjusted liquidity ratio above 150%.

 

All U.S. companies satisfying these requirements are included in the underlying index. The total number of companies in the underlying index should be at least 35. If there are fewer than 35 stocks, stocks from a supplementary list of highly correlated sub-industries that meet the market capitalization and liquidity thresholds above are included in order of their float-adjusted market capitalization to reach 35 constituents. Minimum market capitalization requirements may be relaxed to ensure there are at least 22 companies in the underlying index as of each rebalancing effective date.

 

Eligibility factors include:

 

Market Capitalization: Float-adjusted market capitalization should be at least US$400 million for inclusion in the underlying index. Existing index components must have a float-adjusted market capitalization of US$300 million to remain in the underlying index at each rebalancing.

 

Liquidity: The liquidity measurement used is a liquidity ratio, defined as dollar value traded over the previous 12-months divided by the float-adjusted market capitalization as of the underlying index rebalancing reference date. Stocks having a float-adjusted market capitalization above US$500 million must have a liquidity ratio greater than 90% to be eligible for addition to the underlying index. Stocks having a float-adjusted market capitalization between US$400 and US$500 million must have a liquidity ratio greater than 150% to be eligible for addition to the underlying index. Existing index constituents must have a liquidity ratio greater than 50% to remain in the underlying index at the quarterly rebalancing. The length of time to evaluate liquidity is reduced to the available trading period for IPOs or spin-offs that do not have 12 months of trading history.

 

Takeover Restrictions: At the discretion of S&P, constituents with shareholder ownership restrictions defined in company bylaws may be deemed ineligible for inclusion in the underlying index. Ownership restrictions preventing entities from replicating the index weight of a company may be excluded from the eligible universe or removed from the underlying index.

 

Turnover: S&P believes turnover in index membership should be avoided when possible. At times, a company may appear to temporarily violate one or more of the addition criteria. However, the addition criteria are for addition to the underlying index, not for continued membership. As a result, an index constituent that appears to violate the criteria for addition to the underlying index will not be deleted unless ongoing conditions warrant a change in the composition of the underlying index.

 

 FWP-14 

 

 

Historical Performance of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF (“XBI”)

 

The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low closing prices, as well as end-of-quarter closing prices on the Relevant Exchange, of this Underlying for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2008 through December 21, 2017. We obtained the data in these tables 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. All historical prices are denominated in US dollars and rounded to the nearest penny. Historical prices of this Underlying should not be taken as an indication of its future performance.

 

Quarter Ending Quarter
High ($)
Quarter
Low ($)
Quarter
Close ($)
  Quarter Ending Quarter
High ($)
Quarter
Low ($)
Quarter
Close ($)
March 31, 2008 20.44 16.07 17.84   March 31, 2013 33.55 30.41 33.29
June 30, 2008 20.06 18.18 19.20   June 30, 2013 37.66 32.39 34.75
September 30, 2008 23.16 19.40 20.16   September 30, 2013 43.74 36.24 43.05
December 31, 2008 20.18 14.79 17.60   December 31, 2013 43.95 38.08 43.40
March 31, 2009 18.72 14.43 16.05   March 31, 2014 56.90 42.97 47.49
June 30, 2009 16.99 14.61 16.90   June 30, 2014 51.35 40.27 51.35
September 30, 2009 18.90 15.77 17.89   September 30, 2014 54.30 44.87 51.99
December 31, 2009 18.08 15.56 18.07   December 31, 2014 63.45 48.48 62.21
March 31, 2010 20.68 18.16 19.98   March 31, 2015 79.33 61.43 75.17
June 30, 2010 20.53 17.22 17.26   June 30, 2015 86.57 68.78 84.08
September 30, 2010 19.79 16.65 19.79   September 30, 2015 90.36 60.02 62.25
December 31, 2010 21.47 19.44 21.20   December 31, 2015 72.62 61.16 70.08
March 31, 2011 22.26 20.42 22.26   March 31, 2016 67.83 45.73 51.66
June 30, 2011 25.08 22.41 24.37   June 30, 2016 59.87 49.55 54.09
September 30, 2011 25.18 18.45 19.84   September 30, 2016 68.83 55.11 66.29
December 31, 2011 22.58 18.90 22.13   December 31, 2016 68.13 53.31 59.19
March 31, 2012 27.44 22.01 26.79   March 31, 2017 72.32 59.59 69.34
June 30, 2012 29.55 24.63 29.49   June 20, 2017 80.31 66.84 77.18
September 30, 2012 32.08 28.43 31.14   September 30, 2017 86.57 74.47 86.57
December 31, 2012 31.85 27.24 29.30   December 21, 2017* 88.51 79.95 83.08

 

* This pricing supplement includes information for the fourth calendar quarter of 2017 for the period from October 1, 2017 through December 21, 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 fourth calendar quarter of 2017.

 

The graph below illustrates the daily performance of this Underlying from January 1, 2008 through December 21, 2017 based on closing price information from the Bloomberg Professional® service. Past performance of this Underlying is not indicative of its future performance.

 

 

 FWP-15 

 

 

Description of the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund (“XLK”)

 

The Select Sector SPDR® Trust is a registered investment company that consists of eleven separate investment portfolios (each, a “Select Sector SPDR® Fund”), including the XLK. Each Select Sector SPDR® Fund is an Index Fund that invests in a particular sector or group of industries represented by a specified Select Sector Index (together, the “Select Sector Indices”). The companies included in each Select Sector Index are selected on the basis of the Global Industry Classification Standard from a universe of companies defined by the S&P 500® Index (the “SPX”). The Select Sector Indices upon which the Select Sector SPDR® Funds are based, together, comprise all of the companies in the SPX. Additional information about how each of the Select Sector Indices is determined and calculated can be found in the section “The Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund” beginning on page S-10 of the ETF Underlying Supplement, and is applicable to the XLK, except as discussed in this section.

 

Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the Select Sector SPDR® Trust pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, can be located by reference to SEC file numbers 333-57791 and 811-08837, respectively, through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

The Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “XLK.”

 

The XLK seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Technology Select Sector Index. The Technology Select Sector Index measures the performance of the technology sector of the U.S. equity market. The Technology Select Sector Index is composed of companies whose primary line of business is directly associated with the technology sector. The returns of the XLK may be affected by certain management fees and other expenses, which are detailed in its prospectus.

 

The Technology Select Sector Index includes companies from the following industries: computers & peripherals; software; diversified telecommunication services; communications equipment; semiconductors & semiconductor equipment; internet software & services; IT services; electronic equipment, instruments & components; wireless telecommunication services; and office electronics. As of October 31, 2017, the Technology Select Sector Index is one of eleven Select Sector Indexes developed and maintained in accordance with the following criteria: (1) each of the component securities in the index is a constituent company of the S&P 500® Index; and (2) the index is calculated by SPDJI based on methodology proprietary to the SPDJI and BofA Merrill Lynch Research using a “modified market capitalization” methodology, which means that modifications may be made to the market capitalization weights of single stock concentrations in order to conform to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As of October 31, 2017, the index was composed of 73 stocks.

 

Historical Performance of the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund (“XLK”)

 

The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low closing prices, as well as end-of-quarter closing prices on the Relevant Exchange, of this Underlying for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2008 through December 21, 2017. We obtained the data in these tables 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. All historical prices are denominated in US dollars and rounded to the nearest penny. Historical prices of this Underlying should not be taken as an indication of its future performance.

 

Quarter Ending Quarter
High ($)
Quarter
Low ($)
Quarter
Close ($)
  Quarter Ending Quarter
High ($)
Quarter
Low ($)
Quarter
Close ($)
March 31, 2008 26.16 21.78 22.50   March 31, 2013 30.43 29.21 30.27
June 30, 2008 25.43 22.52 22.88   June 30, 2013 32.20 29.31 30.59
September 30, 2008 23.70 19.07 19.80   September 30, 2013 32.80 30.75 32.03
December 31, 2008 19.52 13.20 15.18   December 31, 2013 35.74 31.53 35.74
March 31, 2009 16.31 13.22 15.62   March 31, 2014 36.65 34.09 36.35
June 30, 2009 18.43 16.06 18.17   June 30, 2014 38.42 35.20 38.35
September 30, 2009 20.99 17.34 20.87   September 30, 2014 40.60 38.42 39.91
December 31, 2009 23.13 20.25 23.13   December 31, 2014 42.49 37.21 41.35
March 31, 2010 23.26 20.84 23.09   March 31, 2015 43.43 39.90 41.44
June 30, 2010 24.06 20.40 20.40   June 30, 2015 43.78 41.36 41.40
September 30, 2010 23.15 20.29 23.02   September 30, 2015 43.67 37.70 39.50
December 31, 2010 25.28 22.84 25.22   December 31, 2015 44.57 39.52 42.83
March 31, 2011 27.01 24.69 26.07   March 31, 2016 44.45 38.71 44.36
June 30, 2011 26.84 24.49 25.70   June 30, 2016 44.70 41.42 43.36
September 30, 2011 26.74 22.52 23.57   September 30, 2016 47.91 43.15 47.78
December 31, 2011 26.51 23.04 25.45   December 31, 2016 49.17 46.02 48.36
March 31, 2012 30.44 25.81 30.15   March 31, 2017 53.43 48.79 53.31
June 30, 2012 30.48 27.20 28.75   June 20, 2017 57.44 52.37 54.72
September 30, 2012 31.66 27.90 30.83   September 30, 2017 59.10 54.34 59.10
December 31, 2012 31.05 27.62 28.95   December 21, 2017* 65.13 59.10 64.58

 

 FWP-16 

 

 

* This pricing supplement includes information for the fourth calendar quarter of 2017 for the period from October 1, 2017 through December 21, 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 fourth calendar quarter of 2017.

 

The graph below illustrates the daily performance of this Underlying from January 1, 2008 through December 21, 2017 based on closing price information from the Bloomberg Professional® service. Past performance of this Underlying is not indicative of its future performance.

 

 

 FWP-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 Valuation Date for purposes of determining the Reference Return of each Underlying, and the accelerated maturity date will be three business days after the accelerated Final Valuation Date. If a Market Disruption Event exists with respect to an Underlying on that scheduled trading day, then the accelerated Final Valuation Date for that Underlying will be postponed for up to five scheduled trading days (in the same manner used for postponing the originally scheduled Final Valuation Date). The accelerated maturity date will also be postponed by an equal number of business days. 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 Price will be made on such date, irrespective of the existence of a market disruption event with respect to any Underlying occurring on such date.

 

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

 

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

 

We have appointed HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of HSBC, as the agent for the sale of the Notes. Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will purchase the Notes from HSBC at the price to public 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 referral fees of up to 0.40% per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers. Neither HSBC USA Inc. or any of its affiliates will pay any underwriting discounts in connection with the distribution of the Notes.

 

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.

 

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 the Underlyings or any of the entities whose stock is owned by the Underlyings 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 the Underlyings or one or more of the entities whose stock is owned by the Underlyings 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 owned by the Underlyings and consult your tax advisor regarding the

 

 FWP-18 

 

 

possible consequences to you if an Underlying or one or more of the entities whose stock is owned by an Underlying is or becomes a PFIC or a USRPHC.

 

U.S. Holders. Please see the discussion under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Treatment of U.S. Holders — Certain Notes Treated as a Put Option and a Deposit or an Executory Contract — Certain Notes Treated as 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.

 

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.

 

 FWP-19 

 

 

       
TABLE OF CONTENTS    
     

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 HSBC USA Inc.

 

 

 

$4,370,000 Callable Notes with Contingent Return Linked to the Least Performing of the SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF and the Technology Select Sector SPDR® Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 21, 2017

 

 

 

Pricing Supplement

Pricing Supplement  
General PS-4  
Payment on the Notes PS-5  
Investor Suitability PS-6  
Risk Factors PS-7  
Illustrative Examples PS-11  
Information Relating to the Underlyings PS-14  
Events of Default and Acceleration PS-18  
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) PS-18  
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations PS-18  
Validity of the Notes PS-19  
     
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 AverageSM 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