17/12/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 17/12/2024 21:04
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration No. 333-277211
December 17, 2024
FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS
(To Prospectus dated February 21, 2024,
Prospectus Supplement dated February 21, 2024 and
Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated February 21, 2024)
Linked to the S&P 500® Futures Excess Return Index (the "Reference Asset")
► | Digital Upside Return of at least 57.50% (to be determined on the Trade Date) if the Reference Return of the Reference Asset is greater than or equal to zero |
► | 1.00x uncapped exposure to any positive return of the Reference Asset if its return is greater than the Digital Upside Return |
► | Contingent repayment of principal if the Reference Return of the Reference Asset is less than zero but greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage of -40.00% |
► | 1.00x exposure to any negative return of the Reference Asset if its return is less than 40.00% |
► | Due January 7, 2030 |
► | All payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of HSBC USA Inc. |
The Digital Plus Barrier Notes (each a "Note" and collectively the "Notes") offered hereunder will not be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. The Notes will not bear interest.
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 Equity Index 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. 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 in any Notes after their initial sale. Unless we or our agent inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates is being used in a market-making transaction. See "Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)" on page FWP-16 of this document.
Investment in the Notes involves certain risks. You should refer to "Risk Factors" beginning on page FWP-8 of this document, page S-1 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and page S-1 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes on the Trade Date is expected to be between $920.00 and $970.00 per Note, which will be 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 FWP-5 and "Risk Factors" beginning on page FWP-8 of this document for additional information.
Price to Public | Underwriting Discount(1) | Proceeds to Issuer | |
Per Note | $1,000.00 | ||
Total | |||
(1) HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay varying underwriting discounts of up to 0.70% per $1,000 Principal Amount in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers. See "Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)" on page FWP-16 of this document. |
The Notes:
Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
Indicative Terms(1)
Principal Amount | $1,000 per Note |
Reference Asset | The S&P 500® Futures Excess Return Index (Ticker: SPXFP). |
Upside Participation Rate | 100.00% (1.00x) exposure to any positive Reference Return greater than the Digital Upside Return |
Digital Upside Return |
At least 57.50% (to be determined on the Trade Date) |
Barrier Percentage | -40% |
Reference Return |
Final Value - Initial Value Initial Value |
Payment at Maturity per Note |
If the Reference Return is greater than the Digital Upside Return: $1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return × Upside Participation Rate); If the Reference Return is greater than or equal to zero but less than or equal to the Digital Upside Return: $1,000 + ($1,000 × Digital Upside Return). If the Reference Return is less than zero but greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage: $1,000 (zero return). If the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage: $1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return). For example, if the Reference Return is -60.00%, you will suffer a 60.00% loss and receive 40.00% of the Principal Amount, subject to the credit risk of HSBC. If the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will lose some or all of your investment. |
Initial Value | The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Pricing Date |
Final Value | The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date |
Pricing Date | December 31, 2024 |
Trade Date | December 31, 2024 |
Original Issue Date | January 6, 2025 |
Final Valuation Date (2) | January 2, 2030 |
Maturity Date (2) | January 7, 2030 |
CUSIP/ISIN | 40447BVU3 / US40447BVU33 |
The Notes
The Digital Plus Barrier Notes may be suitable for investors who believe that the value of the Reference Asset will appreciate over the term of the Notes.
If the Reference Return is greater than or equal to zero, you will realize at least the Digital Upside Return at maturity (subject to the credit risk of HSBC).
If the Reference Return is greater than the Digital Upside Return, you will realize a return equal to 100.00% (1.00x) of the Reference Asset appreciation.
If the Reference Return is less than zero but greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage, you will receive the Principal Amount (zero return).
If the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will lose 1% of your investment for every 1% decline in the Reference Asset from the Initial Value, and you may lose up to 100% of your Principal Amount at maturity.
(1) As more fully described starting on page FWP-4.
(2) Subject to adjustment as described under "Additional Terms of the Notes" in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
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Illustration of Payment Scenarios | ||
The table at right shows the hypothetical payout profile of an investment in the Notes reflecting the Barrier Percentage of -40.00%, reflecting the Upside Participation Rate of 100.00% and assuming a hypothetical Digital Upside Return of 57.50%. The actual Digital Upside Return will be determined on the Pricing Date and will be 57.50%. |
Information about the Reference Asset
The S&P 500® Futures Excess Return Index (the "SPXFP") measures the performance of the nearest maturing quarterly E-mini® S&P 500® futures contracts (Symbol: ES) (the "Underlying Futures Contracts") trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (the "CME"). E-mini® S&P 500® futures contracts are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts based on the S&P 500® Index (the "SPX"). The SPXFP is calculated real-time from the price change of the Underlying Futures Contracts. The SPXFP is an "excess return" index that is based on price levels of the Underlying Futures Contracts as well as the discount or premium obtained by "rolling" hypothetical positions in the Underlying Futures Contracts as they approach delivery. The SPXFP does not reflect interest earned on hypothetical, fully collateralized contract positions. |
The graph above illustrates the daily performance of the Reference Asset from December 15, 2014 through December 13, 2024. The closing values in the graph above were obtained from the Bloomberg Professional® Service. Past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.
For further information on the Reference Asset, please see "Description of the Reference Asset" beginning on page of this document. We have derived all disclosure regarding the Reference Asset from publicly available information. Neither HSBC USA Inc. nor any of its affiliates have undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, the publicly available information about the Reference Asset.
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HSBC USA Inc.
Digital Plus Barrier Notes
Linked to the S&P 500® Futures Excess Return Index
This document relates to a single offering of Digital Plus Barrier Notes. The Notes will have the terms described in this document and the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement and Equity Index Underlying Supplement. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement or Equity Index Underlying Supplement, the terms described in this document shall control.
This document relates to an offering of Notes linked to the performance of the Reference Asset. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a senior unsecured debt security of HSBC USA Inc. linked to the Reference Asset as described below. The following key terms relate to the offering of the Notes:
Issuer: | HSBC USA Inc. |
Principal Amount: | $1,000 per Note |
Reference Asset: | The S&P 500® Futures Excess Return Index (Ticker: SPXFP). |
Trade Date: | December 31, 2024 |
Pricing Date: | December 31, 2024 |
Original Issue Date: | January 6, 2025 |
Final Valuation Date: | January 2, 2030, subject to adjustment as described under "Additional Terms of the Notes-Valuation Dates" in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement. |
Maturity Date: | 3 business days after the Final Valuation Date, which is expected to be January 7, 2030. The Maturity Date is subject to adjustment as described under "Additional Terms of the Notes-Coupon Payment Dates, Call Payment Dates and Maturity Date" in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement. |
Upside Participation Rate: | 100.00% (1.00x) exposure to any positive Reference Return greater than the Digital Upside Return |
Digital Upside Return: | At least 57.50% (to be determined on the Trade Date) |
Payment at Maturity: | On the Maturity Date, for each Note, we will pay you the Final Settlement Value. |
Final Settlement Value: |
If the Reference Return is greater than the Digital Upside Return, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, equal to: $1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return × Upside Participation Rate); If the Reference Return is greater than or equal to zero but less than or equal to the Digital Upside Return, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, equal to: $1,000 + ($1,000 × Digital Upside Return). If the Reference Return is less than zero but greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage, you will receive $1,000 per $1,000 Principal Amount (zero return). If the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows: $1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return). Under these circumstances, you will lose 1% of the Principal Amount of your Notes for each percentage point that the Reference Return is less than the zero. For example, if the Reference Return is -60.00%, you will suffer a 60.00% loss and receive 40.00% of the Principal Amount, subject to the credit risk of HSBC. If the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will lose some or all of your investment. |
Reference Return: |
The quotient, expressed as a percentage, calculated as follows: Final Value - Initial Value Initial Value |
Barrier Percentage: | -40.00% |
Initial Value: | The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Pricing Date |
Final Value: | The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date |
CUSIP/ISIN: | 40447BVU3 / US40447BVU33 |
Form of Notes: | Book-Entry |
Listing: | The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quotation system. |
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Estimated Initial Value: | The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes is expected to be 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. The Estimated Initial Value will be calculated on the Trade 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 Notes, which will be determined by us on the Trade Date, is expected to be less than the price to public and may differ from the market value of the Notes in the secondary market, if any." |
The Trade Date, the Pricing Date and the other dates set forth above are subject to change, and will be set forth in the pricing supplement relating to the Notes.
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GENERAL
This document relates to an offering of Notes linked to the Reference Asset. The purchaser of a Note 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 Notes relates to the Reference Asset, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation as to the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the Reference Asset or any security included in the Reference Asset or as to the suitability of an investment in the Notes.
You should read this document together with the prospectus dated February 21, 2024, the prospectus supplement dated February 21, 2024, and Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated February 21, 2024. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement or Equity Index Underlying Supplement, the terms described in this document shall control.
You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in "Risk Factors" beginning on page of this document, page S-1 of the prospectus supplement and page S-1 of the Equity Index 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 Equity Index Underlying Supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this document relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, prospectus supplement and Equity Index Underlying Supplement in that registration statement and other documents HSBC has filed with the SEC for more complete information about HSBC and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus, prospectus supplement and Equity Index Underlying Supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1-866-811-8049.
You may also obtain:
4 | The Equity Index Underlying Supplement at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000110465924025885/tm244959d3_424b2.htm |
4 | The prospectus supplement at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000110465924025878/tm244959d1_424b2.htm |
4 | The prospectus at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000110465924025864/tm244959d13_424b3.htm |
We are using this document to solicit from you an offer to purchase the Notes. You may revoke your offer to purchase the Notes at any time prior to the time at which we accept your offer by notifying HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase, the Notes prior to their issuance. In the event of any material changes to the terms of the Notes, we will notify you.
PAYMENT AT MATURITY
On the Maturity Date, for each Note you hold, we will pay you the Final Settlement Value, which is an amount in cash, as described below:
If the Reference Return is greater than the Digital Upside Return, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, equal to:
$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return × Upside Participation Rate);
If the Reference Return is greater than or equal to zero, but less than or equal to the Digital Upside Return, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, equal to:
$1,000 + ($1,000 × Digital Upside Return*).
*To be determined on the Trade Date and will be at least 57.50%.
If the Reference Return is less than zero but greater than or equal to the Barrier Percentage, you will receive:
$1,000 per $1,000 Principal Amount (zero return).
If the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return).
Under these circumstances, you will lose 1% of the Principal Amount of your Notes for each percentage point that the Reference Return is less than the zero. For example, if the Reference Return is -60.00%, you will suffer a 60.00% loss and receive 40.00% of the Principal Amount, subject to the credit risk of HSBC. You should be aware that if the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage, you will lose some or all of your investment.
Interest
The Notes will not pay interest.
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Calculation Agent
We or one of our affiliates will act as calculation agent with respect to the Notes.
Reference Sponsor
The reference sponsor of the SPXFP is S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC ("S&P").
INVESTOR SUITABILITY
The Notes may be suitable for you if:
4 | You seek an investment with a return linked to the potential positive performance of the Reference Asset and you believe the value of the Reference Asset will increase over the term of the Notes. |
4 | You are willing to make an investment that is exposed to the negative Reference Return on a 1-to-1 basis from the Initial Value if the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage. |
4 | You are willing to invest in the Notes based on the fact that your maximum potential return is the Digital Upside Return. |
4 | You are willing to forgo dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Reference Asset. |
4 | You do not seek current income from your investment. |
4 | You are willing to hold the Notes to maturity. |
4 | You do not seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market. |
4 | You 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. |
4 | You are comfortable with the creditworthiness of HSBC, as Issuer of the Notes. |
The Notes may not be suitable for you if:
4 | You believe the Reference Return will be less than the Barrier Percentage. |
4 | You are unwilling to make an investment that is exposed to the negative Reference Return on a 1-to-1 basis from the Initial Value if the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage. |
4 | You are unwilling to invest in the Notes based on the fact that your maximum potential return is the Digital Upside Return. |
4 | You seek an investment that provides full return of principal. |
4 | You prefer to receive the dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Reference Asset. |
4 | You seek current income from your investment. |
4 | You are unable or unwilling to hold the Notes to maturity. |
4 | You seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market. |
4 | 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. |
4 | You 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 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and page S-1 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement. 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 document and the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement and Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
In addition to the risks discussed below, you should review "Risk Factors" in the accompanying prospectus supplement and Equity Index 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; |
4 | "-General Risks Related to Indices" in the Equity Index Underlying Supplement; |
4 | "- Securities Prices Generally Are Subject to Political, Economic, Financial, and Social Factors that Apply to the Markets in which They Trade and, to a Lesser Extent, Foreign Markets" in the ETF Underlying Supplement; and in the Equity Index Underlying Supplement; and |
4 | "- Time Differences Between the Domestic and Foreign Markets and New York City May Create Discrepancies in the Trading Level or Price of the Notes" in the ETF Underlying Supplement. in the Equity Index Underlying Supplement. |
You will be subject to significant risks not associated with conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt securities.
Risks Relating to the Structure or Features of the Notes
The Notes will not bear interest.
As a holder of the Notes, you will not receive interest payments.
Your investment in the Notes may result in a loss.
You will be exposed to the decline in the Final Value from the Initial Value if the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage of -40.00%. Accordingly, if the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage of -40.00%, your Payment at Maturity will be less than the Principal Amount of your Notes. You will lose some or all of your investment at maturity if the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage.
The amount payable on the Notes is not linked to the value of the Reference Asset at any time other than on the Final Valuation Date.
The Final Value will be based on the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain Market Disruption Events. Even if the value of the Reference Asset appreciates during the term of the Notes other than on the Final Valuation Date but then decreases on the Final Valuation Date to a value that is less than 85.00% of the Initial Value, the Payment at Maturity may be less, and may be significantly less, than it would have been had the Payment at Maturity been linked to the value of the Reference Asset prior to such decrease. Although the actual value of the Reference Asset on the Maturity Date or at other times during the term of the Notes may be higher than the Final Value, the Payment at Maturity will be based solely on the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date.
Risks Relating to the Reference Asset
Changes that affect the value of the Reference Asset may affect the market value of the Notes and the amount you will receive on the Notes and the amount you will receive at maturity.
The policies of the reference sponsor of the Reference Asset concerning additions, deletions and substitutions of the stocks included in the Reference Asset, and the manner in which the reference sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting those stocks, may affect the value of the Reference Asset. The policies of the reference sponsor with respect to the calculation of the Reference Asset could also affect the value of the Reference Asset. The reference sponsor may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of the Reference Asset. Any such actions could affect the value of the Reference Asset and the value of and the return on the Notes.
The Reference Asset is subject to significant risks associated with the futures contract to which the Reference Asset is linked.
The Reference Asset is linked to the next maturing E-mini S&P 500 futures contract currently listed for trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (the "CME"). The price of this futures contract depends not only on the level of the S&P 500® Index, which is the underlying index referenced by the futures contract, but also on a range of other factors, including but not limited to the performance and volatility of the U.S. stock market, corporate earnings reports, geopolitical events, governmental and regulatory policies and the policies of the CME. In addition, the futures markets are subject to temporary distortions or other disruptions due to various factors, including the lack of
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liquidity in the markets, the participation of speculators and government regulation and intervention. These factors and others can cause the prices of the underlying futures contract to be volatile and could adversely affect the level of the Reference Asset and any payments on, and the value of, the Notes.
Higher future prices of the futures contract to which the Reference Asset is linked relative to its current prices may adversely affect the value of the Reference Asset and the value of the Notes.
The Reference Asset is linked to the next maturing E-mini S&P 500 futures contract currently listed for trading on the CME. As the relevant futures contract approaches expiration, it is replaced by a contract that has a later expiration. Thus, for example, a contract purchased and held in September may specify a December expiration. As time passes, the contract expiring in December is replaced by a contract for delivery in March. This process is referred to as "rolling." If the market for these contracts is (putting aside other considerations) in "backwardation," where the prices are lower in the distant delivery months than in the nearer delivery months, the sale of the December contract would take place at a price that is higher than the price of the March contract, thereby creating a "roll yield." While many futures contracts have historically exhibited consistent periods of backwardation, backwardation will most likely not exist at all times. It is also possible for the market for these contracts to be in "contango." Contango markets are those in which the prices of contracts are higher in the distant delivery months than in the nearer delivery months. The presence of contango and absence of backwardation in the market for these contracts could result in negative "roll yields," which could adversely affect the value of the Reference Asset, and, accordingly, the value of the Notes.
Linking to an equity futures contract is different from linking to the equity index tracked by the equity futures contract.
The return on your Notes will be related to the performance of an equity futures contract and not the equity index tracked by the equity futures contract. On a given day, a "futures price" is the price at which market participants may agree to buy or sell the asset underlying a futures contract in the future, and the "spot price" is the current price of such underlying asset for immediate delivery. A variety of factors can lead to a disparity between the price of a futures contract at a given point in time and the spot price of its underlying asset, such as the expected dividend yields of any stocks that comprise such underlying asset, the implicit financing cost associated with the futures contract and market expectations related to the future price of the futures contract's underlying asset. Purchasing an equity futures contract is similar to borrowing money to buy the underlying asset of such futures contract because it enables an investor to gain exposure to such underlying asset without having to pay the full cost of such exposure up front, and therefore entails a financing cost. As a result, the Reference Asset is expected to reflect not only the performance of the S&P 500® Index, but also the implicit financing cost in the E-mini S&P 500 futures contract, among other factors. Such implicit financing cost will adversely affect the level of the Reference Asset. Any increase in market interest rates will be expected to further increase this implicit financing cost and will have an adverse effect on the level of the Reference Asset and, therefore, the value of and return on the Notes. The price movement of a futures contract is typically correlated with the movements of the price of its underlying asset, but the correlation is generally imperfect, and price movements in the spot market may not be reflected in the futures market (and vice versa). Accordingly, your Notes may underperform a similar investment that more directly reflects the return on the S&P 500® Index.
Suspension or disruptions of market trading in futures markets may adversely affect the value of the Notes.
Securities markets and futures markets are subject to disruptions due to various factors, including the lack of liquidity in the markets, the participation of speculators and government regulation and intervention. In addition, U.S. futures exchanges and some foreign exchanges have regulations that limit the amount of fluctuation in futures contract prices that may occur during a single business day. These limits are generally referred to as "daily price fluctuation limits," and the maximum or minimum price of a contract on any given day as a result of these limits is referred to as a "limit price." Once the limit price has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made at a different price. Limit prices have the effect of precluding trading in a particular contract or forcing the liquidation of contracts at disadvantageous times or prices. Any such disruption could have an adverse effect on the value of the Reference Asset or the manner in which it is calculated, and therefore, the value of the Notes.
Legal and regulatory changes could adversely affect the return on and value of your Notes.
Futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including those related to the Reference Asset, are subject to extensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, commonly referred to as the "CFTC," and the exchanges on which such futures contracts trade, are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the retroactive implementation of speculative position limits or higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily limits and the suspension of trading. Furthermore, certain exchanges have regulations that limit the amount of fluctuations in futures contract prices that may occur during a single five-minute trading period. These limits could adversely affect the market prices of relevant futures and options contracts and forward contracts.
The Notes are linked to an excess return index and not a total return index.
The Notes are linked to an excess return index and not a total return index. An excess return index, such as the Reference Asset, reflects the returns that are potentially available through an unleveraged investment in the contracts composing that index. By contrast, a "total return" index, in addition to reflecting those returns, also reflects interest that could be earned on funds committed to the trading of the underlying futures contracts.
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General Risk Factors
The Notes are subject to the credit risk of HSBC USA Inc.
The Notes are senior unsecured debt obligations of the Issuer, HSBC, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. As further described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, the Notes will rank on par with all of the other unsecured and unsubordinated debt obligations of HSBC, except such obligations as may be preferred by operation of law. Any payment to be made on the Notes, including any return of principal at maturity, depends on the ability of HSBC to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of HSBC may affect the market value of the Notes and, in the event HSBC were to default on its obligations, you may not receive the amounts owed to you under the terms of the Notes.
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 Estimated Initial Value of the Notes, which will be determined by us on the Trade Date, is expected to be 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 will be calculated by us on the Trade Date and is expected to be less than the price to public. The Estimated Initial Value will reflect our and our affiliates' internal funding rate, which is the borrowing rate paid 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 will determine 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 Trade Date is expected to be less than the price to public.
The price to public takes into account certain costs. These costs include our affiliates' projected hedging profits (which may or may not be realized) for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the Notes, the underwriting discount and the costs associated with structuring and hedging our obligations under the Notes. These costs will be used or retained by us or one of our affiliates, except for underwriting discounts paid to unaffiliated distributors. 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 value of the Reference Asset 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.
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 may initially be used for customer account statements, if any, may exceed the Estimated Initial Value on the Trade 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.
You will not have any ownership interest in the stocks included in the Reference Asset.
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As a holder of the Notes, you will not have any ownership interest in the stocks included in the Reference Asset, such as rights to vote, dividend payments or other distributions. Because the return on the Notes will not reflect any dividends on those stocks, the Notes may underperform an investment in the stocks included in the Reference Asset.
The Notes lack liquidity.
The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. 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.
An affiliate of HSBC has a minority equity interest in the owner of an electronic platform, through which we may make available certain structured investments offering materials. HSBC and its affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the Notes, including acting as calculation agent and hedging our obligations under the Notes. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the Notes. We will not have any obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the Notes in taking any action that might affect the value of your Notes.
Uncertain tax treatment.
For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in a Note, please see the discussion under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" herein and the discussion under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
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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 value of the Reference Asset relative to its Initial Value. We cannot predict the Final Value. The assumptions we have made in connection with the illustrations set forth below may not reflect actual events, and the hypothetical Initial Value used in the table and examples below is not expected to be the actual Initial Value. You should not take this illustration or these examples as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of the Reference Asset or the return on your Notes. The Final Settlement Value may be less than the amount that you would have received from a conventional debt security with the same stated maturity, including such a security issued by HSBC. The numbers appearing in the table below and following examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.
The table below illustrates the Payment at Maturity on a $1,000 investment in the Notes for a hypothetical range of Reference Returns 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 Final Settlement Value per $1,000 Principal Amount to $1,000. The potential returns described here assume that your Notes are held to maturity. The following table and examples assume the following:
4 | Principal Amount: | $1,000 |
4 | Hypothetical Initial Value: | 1,000.00 |
4 | Upside Participation Rate: | 100.00% (1.00x) exposure to any positive Reference Return greater than the Digital Upside Return* |
4 | Hypothetical Digital Upside Return: | 57.50% |
4 | Barrier Percentage: | -40% |
The hypothetical Initial Value of 1,000.00 used in the examples below has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual Initial Value of the Reference Asset. The actual Initial Value of the Reference Asset will be determined on the Pricing Date.
* To be determined on the Trade Date and will be at least 57.50%. |
Hypothetical Final Value |
Hypothetical Reference Return |
Hypothetical Payment at Maturity |
Hypothetical Return on the Notes |
2,000.00 | 100.00% | $2,000.00 | 100.00% |
1,800.00 | 80.00% | $1,800.00 | 80.00% |
1,600.00 | 60.00% | $1,600.00 | 60.00% |
1,575.00 | 57.50% | $1,575.00 | 57.50% |
1,400.00 | 40.00% | $1,575.00 | 57.50% |
1,300.00 | 30.00% | $1,575.00 | 57.50% |
1,100.00 | 10.00% | $1,575.00 | 57.50% |
1,050.00 | 5.00% | $1,575.00 | 57.50% |
1,020.00 | 2.00% | $1,575.00 | 57.50% |
1,010.00 | 1.00% | $1,575.00 | 57.50% |
1,000.00 | 0.00% | $1,575.00 | 57.50% |
950.00 | -5.00% | $1,000.00 | 0.00% |
900.00 | -10.00% | $1,000.00 | 0.00% |
850.00 | -15.00% | $1,000.00 | 0.00% |
800.00 | -20.00% | $1,000.00 | 0.00% |
750.00 | -25.00% | $1,000.00 | 0.00% |
600.00 | -40.00% | $1,000.00 | 0.00% |
500.00 | -50.00% | $500.00 | -50.00% |
400.00 | -60.00% | $400.00 | -60.00% |
300.00 | -70.00% | $300.00 | -70.00% |
250.00 | -75.00% | $250.00 | -75.00% |
200.00 | -80.00% | $200.00 | -80.00% |
100.00 | -90.00% | $100.00 | -90.00% |
0.00 | -100.00% | $0.00 | -100.00% |
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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 value of the Reference Asset increases from the Initial Value of 1,000.00 to a Final Value of 1,050.00.
Reference Return: | 5.00% |
Final Settlement Value: | $1,575.00 |
Because the Reference Return is positive, and such Reference Return is less than the hypothetical Digital Upside Return, the investor receives the Digital Upside Return, and the Final Settlement Value would be $1,575.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + ($1,000 × Digital Upside Return)
= $1,000 + ($1,000 × 57.50%)
= $1,575.00
Example 1 shows that you will benefit from the Digital Upside Return at maturity when the Reference Return is positive but less than the Digital Upside Return.
Example 2: The value of the Reference Asset increases from the Initial Value of 1,000.00 to a Final Value of 1,600.00.
Reference Return: | 60.00% |
Final Settlement Value: | $1,600.00 |
Since the Reference Return is greater than the hypothetical Digital Upside Return, the Final Settlement Value would be $1,600.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return × Upside Participation Rate)
= $1,000 + ($1,000 × 60.00% × 100.00%)
= $1,600.00
Example 2 shows that you will receive any return of your principal investment plus a return equal to the Reference Return multiplied by the Upside Participation Rate at maturity when the Reference Return is greater than the Digital Upside Return.
Example 3: The value of the Reference Asset decreases from the Initial Value of 1,000.00 to a Final Value of 950.00.
Reference Return: | -5.00% |
Final Settlement Value: | $1,000.00 |
Because the Reference Return is less than zero but greater than the Barrier Percentage of -40.00%, the Final Settlement Value would be $1,000.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount (a zero return).
Example 4: The value of the Reference Asset decreases from the Initial Value of 1,000.00 to a Final Value of 250.00.
Reference Return: | -75.00% |
Final Settlement Value: | $250.00 |
Because the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage of -40.00%, the Final Settlement Value would be $250.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return)
= $1,000 + ($1,000 × -75.00%)
= $250.00
Example 4 shows that you are exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to declines in the value of the Reference Asset if the Reference Return is less than the Barrier Percentage of -40.00%. You may lose some or all of your investment.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE ASSET
Description of the SPXFP
Index Rolling
As each Underlying Futures Contract approaches maturity, it is replaced by the next maturing Underlying Futures Contract in a process referred to as "rolling." The rolling of the SPXFP occurs quarterly over a one-day rolling period (the "roll day") every March, June, September and December, effective after the close of trading five business days preceding the last trading date of the maturing Underlying Futures Contract.
On any scheduled roll day, the occurrence of either of the following circumstances will result in an adjustment of the roll day according to the procedure set forth in this section:
· | An exchange holiday occurs on that scheduled roll day. |
· | The daily contract price of any Underlying Futures Contract within the SPXFP on that scheduled roll day is a limit price. |
If either of the above events occur, the relevant roll day will take place on the next designated commodity index business day whereby none of the circumstances identified take place.
If a disruption is approaching the last trading day of a contract expiration, the Index Committee (defined below) will convene to determine the appropriate course of action, which may include guidance from the CME.
The Index Committee may change the date of a given rebalancing for reasons including market holidays occurring on or around the scheduled rebalancing date. Any such change will be announced with proper advance notice where possible.
Index Calculations
The closing level of the SPXFP on any trading day reflects the change in the daily contract price of the Underlying Futures Contract since the immediately preceding trading day. On each quarterly roll day, the closing level of the SPXFP reflects the change from the daily contract price of the maturing Underlying Futures Contract on the immediately preceding trading day to the daily contract price of the next maturing Underlying Futures Contract on that roll day.
The daily contract price of an Underlying Futures Contract will be the settlement price reported by the CME. If the CME fails to open due to unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters, inclement weather, outages, or other events, the SPXFP uses the prior daily contract prices. In situations where the CME is forced to close early due to unforeseen events, such as computer or electric power failures, weather conditions or other events, the Index Sponsor calculates the closing level of the SPXFP based on (1) the daily contract prices published by the CME, or (2) if no daily contract prices is available, the Index Committee determines the course of action and notifies clients accordingly.
Index Governance
An S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC index committee (the "Index Committee") maintains the SPXFP. All committee members are full-time professional members of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC's staff. The Index Committee may revise index policy covering rules for including currencies, the timing of rebalancing or other matters. The Index Committee considers information about changes to the SPXFP and related matters to be potentially market moving and material. Therefore, all Index Committee discussions are confidential.
The Index Committees reserve the right to make exceptions when applying the methodology of the SPXFP if the need arises.
In addition to the daily governance of the SPXFP and maintenance of its index methodology, at least once within any 12-month period, the Index
Committee reviews the methodology to ensure the SPXFP continues to achieve the stated objectives, and that the data and methodology remain effective. In certain instances, the Index Sponsor may publish a consultation inviting comments from external parties.
Futures Contracts
Overview of Futures Markets
Futures contracts are traded on regulated futures exchanges, in the over-the-counter market and on various types of electronic trading facilities and markets. As of the date of this term sheet, the futures contract represented by the SPXFP is an exchange-traded futures contract. A futures contract provides for a specified settlement month in which the cash settlement is made by the seller (whose position is therefore described as "short") and acquired by the purchaser (whose position is therefore described as "long").
No purchase price is paid or received on the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Instead, an amount of cash or cash equivalents must be deposited with the broker as "initial margin." This amount varies based on the requirements imposed by the exchange clearing houses, but it may be lower than 5% of the notional value of the contract. This margin deposit provides collateral for the obligations of the parties to the futures contract.
By depositing margin, which may vary in form depending on the exchange, with the clearing house or broker involved, a market
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participant may be able to earn interest on its margin funds, thereby increasing the total return that it may realize from an investment in futures contracts.
At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, a trader may elect to close out its position by taking an opposite position on the exchange on which the trader obtained the position, subject to the availability of a liquid secondary market. This operates to terminate the position and fix the trader's profit or loss. Futures contracts are cleared through the facilities of a centralized clearing house and a brokerage firm that is a member of the clearing house. Futures exchanges may adopt rules and take other actions that affect trading, including imposing speculative position limits, maximum price fluctuations and trading halts and suspensions and requiring liquidation of contracts in certain circumstances.
The Underlying Futures Contracts
The Underlying Futures Contracts are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts which are based on the SPX and traded on the CME that represent a contract unit of $50 multiplied by the SPX, measured in cents per index point. The Underlying Futures Contracts listed for the nearest nine quarters, for each March, June, September and December, and the nearest three Decembers, are available for trading. Trading of the Underlying Futures Contracts terminates at 9:30 A.M. Eastern time on the third Friday of the contract month. The daily settlement prices of the Underlying Futures Contracts are based on trading activity in the relevant contract (and in the case of a lead month also being the expiry month, together with trading activity on lead month-second month spread contracts) on the CME during a specified settlement period. The final settlement price of Underlying Futures Contracts is based on the opening prices of the component stocks in the SPX, determined on the third Friday of the contract month
The Reference Index Sponsor of the SPXFP is S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC ("S&P")
The S&P 500® Index
The S&P 500® Index ("SPX") is a market capitalization-weighted index intended to provide a performance benchmark for the large-cap U.S. equity markets. The SPX includes a representative sample of 500 companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy.
For more information about the SPX, see "The S&P 500® Index" beginning on page S-54 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
License Agreement
HSBC has entered into a nonexclusive license agreement providing for the license to it, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use indices owned and published by S&P in connection with some products, including the Notes. The SPXFP is a product of S&P, and has been licensed for use by HSBC. The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Notes particularly or the ability of the SPXFP to track general market performance. S&P's only relationship to HSBC is the licensing of the SPXFP and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P. The SPXFP is determined, composed and calculated by S&P without regard to HSBC or the Notes. S&P has no obligation to take the needs of HSBC or the owners of the Notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the SPXFP. S&P is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Notes are to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Notes. There is no assurance that investment products based on the SPXFP will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the SPXFP is not a recommendation by S&P to buy, sell or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.
S&P DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE SPXFP OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY HSBC, OWNERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE SPXFP OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P AND HSBC, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P.
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Historical Performance of the SPXFP The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the SPXFP based on the daily historical closing values from December 15, 2014 through December 13, 2024. We obtained the closing values below from the Bloomberg Professional® service. We have not undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, the information obtained from the Bloomberg Professional® service. |
The historical values of the SPXFP should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Official Closing Level of the SPXFP on the Final Valuation Date. |
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 document 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 the Reference Asset, 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 the Reference Asset on that scheduled trading day, then the accelerated Final Valuation Date for the Reference Asset 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. If the Notes have become immediately due and payable following an Event of Default, you will not be entitled to any additional payments with respect to the Notes. For more information, see "Description of Debt Securities - Senior Debt Securities - Events of Default" in the accompanying prospectus. |
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
We have appointed HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of HSBC, as the agent for the sale of the Notes. Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will purchase the Notes from HSBC at the price to public less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of the pricing supplement to which this document relates, for distribution to other registered broker-dealers or will offer the Notes directly to investors. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. proposes to offer the Notes at the price to public set forth on the cover page of this document. HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay varying underwriting discounts of up to 0.70% per $1,000 Principal Amount in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers.
An affiliate of HSBC has paid or may pay in the future an amount to broker-dealers in connection with the costs of the continuing
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implementation of systems to support the Notes. We or one of our affiliates may pay a fee to one or more broker dealers for providing certain services with respect to this offering, which may reduce the economic terms of the notes to you.
In addition, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of its affiliates or agents may use the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates in market-making transactions after the initial sale of the Notes, but is under no obligation to make a market in the Notes and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice.
See "Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)" on page S-87 in the prospectus supplement.
We expect that delivery of the Notes will be made against payment for the Notes on or about the Original Issue Date set forth on the inside cover page of this document, which is more than one business day 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 one business day, unless the parties to that trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes more than one business day 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.
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 pre-paid executory contract with respect to the Reference Asset. We intend to treat the Notes consistent with this approach. Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, you agree to treat the Notes under this approach for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subject to the limitations described therein, and based on certain factual representations received from us, in the opinion of our special U.S. tax counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, it is reasonable to treat a Note as a pre-paid executory contract with respect to the Reference Asset. Pursuant to this approach, we do not intend to report any income or gain with respect to the Notes prior to their maturity or an earlier sale or exchange and we intend to treat any gain or loss upon maturity or an earlier sale or exchange as long-term capital gain or loss, provided that you have held the Note for more than one year at such time for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We will not attempt to ascertain whether any of the entities whose stock is included in the Reference Asset would be treated as a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") or United States real property holding corporation ("USRPHC"), both as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If one or more of the entities whose stock is included in the Reference Asset were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply. You should refer to information filed with the SEC and other authorities by the entities whose stock is included in the Reference Asset and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you if one or more of the entities whose stock is included in the Reference Asset is or becomes a PFIC or a USRPHC. Under current law, while the matter is not entirely clear, individual non-U.S. holders, and entities whose property is potentially includible in those individuals' gross estates for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, the Notes are likely to be treated as U.S. situs property, subject to U.S. federal estate tax. These individuals and entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in the Notes. 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, 2027. 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 the Reference Asset 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 the Reference Asset 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. 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. |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
You should only rely on the information contained in this document, the accompanying Equity Index 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 document, the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This document, the accompanying Equity Index 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 document, the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is correct on any date after their respective dates. HSBC USA Inc. $[ ]
Digital Plus Barrier Notes Linked to the December 17, 2024 Free Writing Prospectus |
||
Free Writing Prospectus | |||
General | FWP-6 | ||
Payment at Maturity | FWP-6 | ||
Investor Suitability | FWP-7 | ||
Risk Factors | FWP-8 | ||
Illustrative Examples | FWP-12 | ||
Description of the Reference Asset | FWP-14 | ||
Events of Default and Acceleration | FWP-16 | ||
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) | FWP-16 | ||
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations | FWP-17 | ||
Equity Index Underlying Supplement | |||
Disclaimer | ii | ||
Risk Factors | S-1 | ||
The DAX® Index | S-8 | ||
The Dow Jones Industrial Average® | S-10 | ||
The EURO STOXX 50® Index | S-12 | ||
The EURO STOXX® Banks Index | S-14 | ||
The FTSE® 100 Index | S-16 | ||
The Hang Seng® Index | S-17 | ||
The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index | S-19 | ||
The KOSPI 200 Index | S-21 | ||
The MSCI Indices | S-23 | ||
The NASDAQ 100 Index® | S-30 | ||
The Nikkei Stock Average | S-33 | ||
The NYSE® FANG+™ Index | S-35 | ||
The PHLX Housing Sector Index | S-40 | ||
The Russell 2000® Index | S-44 | ||
The S&P 100® Index | S-47 | ||
The S&P 500® Index | S-54 | ||
The S&P 500® Low Volatility Index | S-61 | ||
The S&P BRIC 40 Index | S-64 | ||
The S&P MidCap 400® Index | S-67 | ||
The S&P/ASX 200 Index | S-74 | ||
The S&P 500® ESG Index | S-77 | ||
The TOPIX® Index | S-82 | ||
The Swiss Market Index | S-84 | ||
Additional Terms of the Notes | S-86 | ||
Prospectus Supplement | |||
Risk Factors | S-1 | ||
Pricing Supplement | S-12 | ||
Description of Notes | S-14 | ||
Use of Proceeds and Hedging | S-58 | ||
Certain ERISA and Related Considerations | S-59 | ||
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations | S-61 | ||
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) | S-87 | ||
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 | 24 | ||
Description of Purchase Contracts | 29 | ||
Description of Units | 32 | ||
Book-Entry Procedures | 35 | ||
Limitations on Issuances in Bearer Form | 39 | ||
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to Debt Securities | 40 | ||
Certain European Union Tax Considerations Relating to Debt Securities | 48 | ||
Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) | 49 | ||
Notice to Canadian Investors | 52 | ||
Notice to EEA Investors | 53 | ||
Notice to U.K. Investors | 54 | ||
U.K. Financial Promotion | 54 | ||
Certain ERISA and Related Matters | 55 | ||
Legal Opinions | 57 | ||
Experts | 58 |