Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities do not guarantee the payment of interest or the repayment of the stated principal amount. Instead, the securities offer the opportunity for investors to earn a contingent quarterly payment at an annual rate of at least 10.00% of the stated principal amount, with respect to each determination date on which the closing price of the underlying shares is greater than or equal to 80.00% of the initial share price, which we refer to as the downside threshold level. In addition, if the closing price of the underlying shares is greater than or equal to the initial share price on any of the first 11 determination dates, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an amount per security equal to the sum of the stated principal amount and the contingent quarterly payment with respect to the related determination date. If the securities have not been previously redeemed and the final share price is greater than or equal to the downside threshold level, the payment at maturity will be the sum of the stated principal amount and the contingent quarterly payment with respect to the final determination date. However, if the securities have not been previously redeemed and the final share price is less than the downside threshold level, you will be exposed to the decline in the closing price of the underlying shares, as compared to the initial share price, on a 1 to 1 basis and will receive a cash payment that reflects the decrease in value of those shares as of the final determination date. This payment will be significantly less than the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero. As a result, investors must be willing to accept the risk of losing their entire principal and also the risk of not receiving any contingent quarterly payment. Accordingly, the securities do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. The securities are intended for investors who seek an opportunity to earn interest at a potentially above-market rate in exchange for the risks of principal loss and receiving few or no contingent quarterly payments over the 3 year term of the securities. Investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying shares. All payments on the securities are subject to the credit risk of HSBC.

* The pricing date, original issue date and the other dates set forth above are subject to change, and will be set forth in the pricing supplement relating to the securities.

The estimated initial value of the securities on the pricing date is expected to be between $9.60 and $9.75 per security, which will be less than the price to public. The market value of the securities at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy. See “Estimated initial value” above and “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this document for additional information. Investment in the securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this free writing prospectus, page S-1 of the Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement and page S-1 of the prospectus supplement.

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

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

You should read this document together with the related Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below.

The securities 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 of the United States or any other jurisdiction, and involve investment risks including possible loss of the stated principal amount invested due to the credit risk of HSBC.

The Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due July 23, 2021 Based on the Performance of the Common Stock of General Mills, Inc., which we refer to as the securities, provide an opportunity for investors to earn a contingent quarterly payment at an annual rate of at least 10.00% of the stated principal amount with respect to each quarterly determination date on which the determination closing price or the final share price, as applicable, is greater than or equal to 80.00% of the initial share price, which we refer to as the downside threshold level. The actual contingent quarterly payment will be determined on the pricing date. The contingent quarterly payment, if any, will be payable quarterly on the contingent payment date (which is the third business day after the related determination date) or the maturity date, as applicable. It is possible that the closing price of the underlying shares could remain below the downside threshold level for extended periods of time or even throughout the term of the securities so that you may receive few or no contingent quarterly payments.

If the determination closing price is greater than or equal to the initial share price on any of the first 11 determination dates, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption payment equal to the stated principal amount plus the contingent quarterly payment with respect to the related determination date. If the securities have not previously been redeemed and the final share price is greater than or equal to the downside threshold level, the payment at maturity will also be the sum of the stated principal amount and the contingent quarterly payment with respect to the final determination date. However, if the securities have not previously been redeemed and the final share price is less than the downside threshold level, investors will be exposed to the decline in the closing price of the underlying shares, as compared to the initial share price, on a 1 to 1 basis and receive a cash payment that reflects the decrease in value of those shares from the initial stock price to the final stock price. That payment will be less than 80.00% of the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero. Investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing their entire principal and also the risk of not receiving any contingent quarterly payment. In addition, investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying shares.

The securities offer investors an opportunity to earn a contingent quarterly payment at an annual rate of at least 10.00% of the stated principal amount with respect to each determination date on which the determination closing price or the final share price, as applicable, is greater than or equal to 80.00% of the initial share price, which we refer to as the downside threshold level. The actual contingent quarterly payment will be determined on the pricing date. The securities may be redeemed prior to maturity for the stated principal amount per security plus the applicable contingent quarterly payment, and the payment at maturity will vary depending on the final share price, as follows:

The following diagrams illustrate the potential outcomes for the securities depending on (1) the determination closing price and (2) the final share price.

For more information about the payout upon an automatic early redemption or at maturity in different hypothetical scenarios, see “Hypothetical Examples” beginning on page 7.

In Examples 1 and 2, the closing price of the underlying shares fluctuates over the term of the securities and the determination closing price of the underlying shares is greater than or equal to the hypothetical initial share price of $100 on 1 of the first 11 determination dates. Because the determination closing price is greater than or equal to the initial share price on 1 of the first 11 determination dates, the securities are automatically redeemed following the relevant determination date. In Examples 3 and 4, the determination closing price on the first 11 determination dates is less than the initial share price, and, consequently, the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to, and remain outstanding until, maturity.

* The early redemption payment includes the unpaid contingent quarterly payment with respect to the determination date on which the determination closing price is greater than or equal to the initial share price and the securities are redeemed as a result.

stated principal amount + contingent quarterly payment = $10.00 + $0.25 = $10.25

In this example, the early redemption feature limits the term of your investment to approximately 3 months and you may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. If the securities are redeemed early, you will stop receiving contingent payments.

In this example, the early redemption feature limits the term of your investment to approximately 33 months and you may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. If the securities are redeemed early, you will stop receiving contingent payments. Further, although the underlying shares have appreciated by 25% from its initial share price on the 11^th determination date, you only receive $10.25 per security and do not benefit from such appreciation.

Examples 3 and 4 illustrate the payment at maturity per security based on the final share price.

In this example, the payment you would receive at maturity is significantly less than the stated principal amount.

In this example, although the final share price represents a 15% decline from the initial share price, you would receive the stated principal amount per security plus the contingent quarterly payment, equal to a total payment of $10.25 per security at maturity.

The securities may be suitable for you if:

You believe that the closing price of the underlying shares will not be below the downside threshold level on most or all of the determination dates.

You are willing to make an investment that is exposed to downside performance of the underlying shares on a 1-to-1 basis when the final share price is less than the downside threshold level.

You are willing to hold the securities that will be automatically called on any of the first eleven determination dates on which the determination closing price of the underlying shares is at or above the initial share price.

You are willing to be exposed to the possibility of early redemption.

You are willing to invest in the securities based on the fact that your maximum potential return is any contingent quarterly payments payable on the securities.

You are willing to forgo dividends or other distributions paid on the underlying shares.

You are willing to hold the securities to maturity.

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

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

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

The securities may not be suitable for you if:

You believe that the closing price of the underlying shares will not be below the downside threshold level on most or all of the determination dates.

You are unwilling to make an investment that is exposed to downside performance of the underlying shares on a 1-to-1 basis when the final share price is less than the downside threshold level.

You are unable or unwilling to hold the securities that will be automatically called on any of the first eleven determination dates on which the determination closing price of the underlying shares is at or above the initial share price, or you are otherwise unable or unwilling to hold the securities to maturity.

You are unwilling to be exposed to the possibility of early redemption.

You are unwilling to invest in the securities based on the fact that your maximum potential return is the contingent quarterly payments payable on the securities.

You prefer to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the underlying shares.

You prefer a product that provides upside participation in the underlying shares, as opposed to the contingent quarterly payments payable on the securities.

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

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

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

We urge you to read the section “Risk Factors” on page S-1 in the accompanying prospectus supplement and on page S-1 of the Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing directly in the underlying shares. You should understand the risks of investing in the securities and should reach an investment decision only after careful consideration, with your advisors, of the suitability of the securities in light of your particular financial circumstances and the information set forth in this free writing prospectus and the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus.

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

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

other times during the term of the securities may be higher than the price on one or more determination dates, the payments on the securities will be based solely on the price of the underlying shares on the determination dates.

to the negative price performance of the underlying shares at maturity. Additionally, such hedging or trading activities during the term of the securities could adversely affect the price of the underlying shares on the determination dates and, accordingly, whether the securities are automatically called prior to maturity and, if the securities are not called prior to maturity, the payout to you at maturity.

Please read the discussion under “Additional Information About the Securities – Additional Provisions – Tax considerations” in this document concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities. Pursuant to the terms of the securities, you agree to treat a security for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a single financial contract that provides for a contingent quarterly payment that will be treated as ordinary income to you at the time received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of tax accounting. If the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) were successful in asserting an alternative treatment for the securities, the timing and character of income or loss on the securities might differ significantly from the tax treatment described herein. Non-U.S. Holders should note that the entire amount of the contingent quarterly payments 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), and we will not be required to pay any

additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS regarding the tax treatment of the securities, and the IRS or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described herein.

In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. While it is not clear whether the securities would be viewed as similar to the prepaid forward contracts described in the notice, it is possible that any U.S. Treasury Department regulations or other guidance issued after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. The notice focuses on a number of issues, the most relevant of which for holders of the securities are the character and timing of income or loss and the degree, if any, to which income realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax. Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, the issues presented by this notice and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdictions.

General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded and packaged consumer foods worldwide. It also supplies branded and unbranded food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries. Information filed by the Underlying with the SEC under the Exchange Act can be located by reference to its SEC file number: 001-01185 or its CIK Code: 0000040704.

This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the underlying shares or other securities of General Mills, Inc. We have derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding General Mills, Inc. shares from the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph. In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to General Mills, Inc. Neither we nor the agent has made any independent investigation as to the accuracy or completeness of such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding General Mills, Inc. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph) that would affect the trading price of the underlying shares (and therefore the price of the underlying shares at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning General Mills, Inc. could affect the value received at maturity with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.

Neither the issuer nor any of its affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the underlying shares.

The table below sets forth the published high, low and period end closing prices of the underlying shares for each quarter in the period from January 2, 2008 through July 10, 2018. The associated graph shows the closing prices of the underlying shares for each day in the same period. We obtained the information in the table below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical performance of the underlying shares should not be taken as an indication of their future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the price of the underlying shares at any time, including on the determination dates.

*The black solid line indicates the hypothetical downside threshold level, assuming the closing price of the underlying shares on July 10, 2018 was the initial share price.

Please read this information in conjunction with the summary terms on the front cover of this document.

SUMMARY TERMS
Issuer:	HSBC USA Inc. (“HSBC”)
Underlying shares:	The common stock of General Mills, Inc. (Ticker: “GIS”)
Aggregate principal amount:	$
Stated principal amount:	$10 per security
Issue price:	$10 per security
*Pricing date:**	July 20, 2018
*Original issue date:**	July 25, 2018 (3 business days after the pricing date)
*Maturity date:**	July 23, 2021, subject to adjustment as described in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement
Early redemption:	If, on any of the first 11 determination dates, the determination closing price of the underlying shares is greater than or equal to the initial share price, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption payment on the third business day following the related determination date.
Early redemption payment:	The early redemption payment will be an amount equal to (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the contingent quarterly payment with respect to the related determination date.
Determination closing price:	The official closing price of the underlying shares on any determination date other than the final determination date, as determined by the calculation agent, and as adjusted by the calculation agent as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Antidilution and Reorganization Adjustments” in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement.
Contingent quarterly payment:	· If, on any determination date, the determination closing price or the final share price, as applicable, is greater than or equal to the downside threshold level, we will pay a contingent quarterly payment at an annual rate of at least 10.00% of the stated principal amount per security (corresponding to $0.25 (or 2.50%) per quarter per security) on the related contingent payment date. The actual contingent quarterly payment will be determined on the pricing date. · If, on any determination date, the determination closing price or the final share price, as applicable, is less than the downside threshold level, no contingent quarterly payment will be made with respect to that determination date.
*Determination dates:**	October 22, 2018, January 22, 2019, April 22, 2019, July 22, 2019, October 21, 2019, January 21, 2020, April 20, 2020, July 20, 2020, October 20, 2020, January 20, 2021, April 20, 2021 and July 20, 2021 (the final determination date), each subject to adjustment as described in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement.
Contingent payment dates:	With respect to each determination date other than the final determination date, the third business day after the related determination date. The payment of the contingent quarterly payment, if any, with respect to the final determination date will be made on the maturity date.
Payment at maturity:	· If the final share price is greater than or equal to the downside threshold level:		(i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the contingent quarterly payment with respect to the final determination date
	· If the final share price is less than the downside threshold level:		(i) the stated principal amount multiplied by (ii) the share performance factor
Share performance factor:	Final share price / Initial share price
Downside threshold level:	$ , which is equal to 80.00% of the initial share price
Initial share price:	The official closing price of the underlying shares on the pricing date, as determined by the calculation agent
Final share price:	The official closing price of the underlying shares on the final determination date, as determined by the calculation agent, and as adjusted by the calculation agent as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Antidilution and Reorganization Adjustments” in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement.
Estimated initial value:	The estimated initial value of the securities will be less than the price you pay to purchase the securities. The estimated initial value does not represent a minimum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your securities in the secondary market, if any, at any time. The estimated initial value will be calculated on the pricing date and will be set forth in the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates. See “Risk Factors—The estimated initial value of the securities, which will be determined by us on the pricing date, will be less than the price to public and may differ from the market value of the securities in the secondary market, if any.”
CUSIP / ISIN:	40435X769 / US40435X7690
Listing:	The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Agent:	HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of HSBC. See “Supplemental plan of distribution (conflicts of interest).”
Commissions and issue price:	Price to public	Agent’s commissions		Proceeds to issuer
Per security	$10.00	$0.20⁽¹⁾ $0.05⁽²⁾		$9.75
Total	$	$		$

Hypothetical Initial Share Price:	$100.00
Hypothetical Downside Threshold Level:	$80.00, which is 80.00% of the hypothetical initial share price
Hypothetical Contingent Quarterly Payment:	10.00% per annum (corresponding to $0.25 (or 2.50%) per quarter per security)
Stated Principal Amount:	$10.00 per security

	Example 1			Example 2
Determination Dates	Hypothetical Determination Closing Price	Contingent Quarterly Payment	Early Redemption Payment*	Hypothetical Determination Closing Price	Contingent Quarterly Payment	Early Redemption Payment
#1	$100.00	—*	$10.25	$85.00	$0.25	N/A
#2	N/A	N/A	N/A	$65.00	N/A	N/A
#3	N/A	N/A	N/A	$60.00	N/A	N/A
#4	N/A	N/A	N/A	$60.00	N/A	N/A
#5	N/A	N/A	N/A	$65.00	N/A	N/A
#6	N/A	N/A	N/A	$67.00	N/A	N/A
#7	N/A	N/A	N/A	$65.00	N/A	N/A
#8	N/A	N/A	N/A	$65.00	N/A	N/A
#9	N/A	N/A	N/A	$70.00	N/A	N/A
#10	N/A	N/A	N/A	$74.00	N/A	N/A
#11	N/A	N/A	N/A	$125.00	—*	$10.25
Final Determination Date	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

	Example 3			Example 4
Determination Dates	Hypothetical Determination Closing Price	Contingent Quarterly Payment	Early Redemption Payment	Hypothetical Determination Closing Price	Contingent Quarterly Payment	Early Redemption Payment
#1	$52.00	N/A	N/A	$45.00	N/A	N/A
#2	$50.00	N/A	N/A	$65.00	N/A	N/A
#3	$53.00	N/A	N/A	$60.00	N/A	N/A
#4	$40.00	N/A	N/A	$60.00	N/A	N/A
#5	$43.00	N/A	N/A	$65.00	N/A	N/A
#6	$45.00	N/A	N/A	$67.00	N/A	N/A
#7	$42.00	N/A	N/A	$65.00	N/A	N/A
#8	$40.00	N/A	N/A	$65.00	N/A	N/A
#9	$36.00	N/A	N/A	$70.00	N/A	N/A
#10	$34.00	N/A	N/A	$69.00	N/A	N/A
#11	$32.00	N/A	N/A	$73.00	N/A	N/A
Final Determination Date	$30.00	N/A	N/A	$85.00	$0.25*	N/A
Payment at Maturity	$3.00			$10.25

Payment at maturity =	final share price	x principal amount	=	$30.00	x 10.00	= $3.00
	initial share price			$100.00

Bloomberg Ticker Symbol:	GIS	52 Week High (on 3/16/2018):	$60.20
Current Share Price:	$44.69	52 Week Low (on 4/13/2017):	$41.21
52 Weeks Ago:	$53.53

Common Stock of General Mills, Inc. CUSIP: 370334104	High ($)	Low ($)	Period End ($)
2008
First Quarter	30.06	26.43	29.94
Second Quarter	31.86	29.77	30.39
Third Quarter	35.03	30.29	34.36
Fourth Quarter	35.08	29.02	30.38
2009
First Quarter	30.40	23.61	24.94
Second Quarter	28.01	24.36	28.01
Third Quarter	32.26	28.01	32.19
Fourth Quarter	35.97	31.75	35.41
2010
First Quarter	36.82	34.29	35.40
Second Quarter	38.93	34.73	35.52
Third Quarter	37.24	33.57	36.54
Fourth Quarter	37.54	34.99	35.59
2011
First Quarter	37.45	34.60	36.55
Second Quarter	39.95	35.99	37.22
Third Quarter	39.50	34.95	38.47
Fourth Quarter	40.66	37.94	40.41
2012
First Quarter	41.05	38.04	39.45
Second Quarter	39.69	37.55	38.54
Third Quarter	40.44	37.91	39.85
Fourth Quarter	41.77	39.19	40.41
2013
First Quarter	49.31	40.41	49.31
Second Quarter	50.93	47.08	48.53
Third Quarter	52.73	47.92	47.92
Fourth Quarter	51.53	47.41	49.91
2014
First Quarter	51.82	46.86	51.82
Second Quarter	55.56	51.00	52.54
Third Quarter	53.82	50.12	50.45
Fourth Quarter	54.41	48.86	53.33
2015
First Quarter	56.60	51.70	56.60
Second Quarter	57.14	54.36	55.72
Third Quarter	59.55	54.52	56.13
Fourth Quarter	59.23	55.70	57.66
2016
First Quarter	63.35	54.12	63.35
Second Quarter	71.32	60.12	71.32
Third Quarter	72.64	63.66	63.88
Fourth Quarter	63.88	60.59	61.77
2017
First Quarter	63.19	58.79	59.01
Second Quarter	59.01	54.97	55.40
Third Quarter	57.68	51.23	51.76
Fourth Quarter	60.18	50.10	59.29
2018
First Quarter	60.20	44.21	45.06
Second Quarter	46.06	41.21	44.26
Third Quarter (through July 10, 2018)	45.04	43.44	44.69

Additional Provisions
Listing:	The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
CUSIP:	40435X769
ISIN:	US40435X7690
Minimum ticketing size:	$1,000 / 100 securities
Events of default and acceleration:	If the securities have become immediately due and payable following an event of default (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) with respect to the securities, the calculation agent will determine the accelerated payment due and payable at maturity in the same general manner as described in “Payment at maturity” in this free writing prospectus except that the accelerated contingent quarterly payment will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. In that case, the scheduled trading day preceding the date of acceleration will be used as the final determination date for purposes of determining the final share price. If a market disruption event exists with respect to the underlying shares on that scheduled trading day, then the accelerated final determination date for the underlying shares will be postponed for up to 5 scheduled trading days (in the same manner used for postponing the originally scheduled final determination date). The accelerated maturity date will then be the third business day following the postponed accelerated final determination date. If the securities have become immediately due and payable following an event of default, you will not be entitled to any additional payments with respect to the securities. For more information, see “Description of Debt Securities—Senior Debt Securities—Events of Default” in the prospectus.
Tax considerations:	Prospective investors should note that the discussion under the section called “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement does not apply to the securities issued under this document and is superseded by the following discussion. The following summary is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the securities. This discussion applies only to initial investors in the securities who: · purchase the securities at their “issue price”; and · hold the securities as capital assets, within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of the holder’s particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules, such as: · certain financial institutions; · insurance companies; · certain dealers and traders in securities, commodities or foreign currencies; · investors holding the securities as part of a “straddle,” conversion transaction, integrated transaction or constructive sale transaction; · investors subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code; · U.S. Holders, as defined below, whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; · partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes; · regulated investment companies; · real estate investment trusts; · tax-exempt entities, including an “individual retirement account” or “Roth IRA”, as defined in Section 408 or 408A of the Code, respectively; or · persons subject to the alternative minimum tax. As the law applicable to the U.S. federal income taxation of instruments such as the securities is technical and complex, the discussion below necessarily represents only a general summary.

	annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce U.S. source interest or dividends (“Withholdable Payments”), if paid to a foreign financial institution (including amounts paid to a foreign financial institution on behalf of a holder), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department to collect and provide to the U.S. Treasury Department substantial information regarding U.S. account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, or otherwise establishes an exemption. The legislation also generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on Withholdable Payments made to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial U.S. owners of the entity or otherwise establishes an exemption. The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have announced that withholding on payments of gross proceeds from a sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the securities will only apply to dispositions after December 31, 2018. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in the securities.
Calculation agent:	HSBC USA Inc. or one of its affiliates.
Supplemental plan of distribution (conflicts of interest):	Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of HSBC, will purchase the securities from HSBC for distribution to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will act as agent for the securities and will receive a fee of $0.25 per $10 stated principal amount and will pay Morgan Stanley Wealth Management a fixed sales commission of $0.20 for each security they sell. Of the $0.25 per $10 stated principal amount received by HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., acting as agent for HSBC, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will pay Morgan Stanley Wealth Management a structuring fee of $0.05 for each security. In addition, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of its affiliates or agents may use the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates in market-making transactions after the initial sale of the securities, but is under no obligation to make a market in the securities and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice. We expect that delivery of the securities will be made against payment for the securities on or about the original issue date set forth on the cover page of this document, which is more than two business days following the pricing 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 securities 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-61 in the prospectus supplement.
Where you can find more information:	This free writing prospectus relates to an offering of securities linked to the underlying shares. The purchaser of a security will acquire a senior unsecured debt security of HSBC USA Inc. We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify this offering and to reject orders in whole or in part. Although the offering of the securities relates to the underlying shares, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation as to the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the underlying shares or any security comprising the underlying shares or as to the suitability of an investment in the securities. HSBC has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, a prospectus supplement and Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this free writing prospectus relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, prospectus supplement and Stock-Linked 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 Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1-866-811-8049. You should read this document together with the prospectus dated February 26, 2018, the prospectus supplement dated February 26, 2018 and the Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement dated February 26, 2018. If the terms of the securities offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying prospectus supplement, prospectus, or Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement, the terms described in this free writing prospectus shall control. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” herein, on page S-1 of the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement and page S-1 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, as the securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the securities. As used herein, references to the “Issuer”, “HSBC”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to HSBC USA Inc. You may access these documents on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov as follows: