Calculation
of Registration Fee
Title of Each Class of
Securities Offered
|
|
Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price
|
|
Amount of
Registration Fee
(1)
|
Debt Securities
|
|
$1,952,000.00
|
|
$266.25
|
(1)
Calculated in accordance with Rule 457 (r) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Filed
Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration
No. 333-180289
PRICING
SUPPLEMENT
Dated July
24, 2013
(To Prospectus
dated March 22, 2012,
Prospectus
Supplement dated March 22, 2012 and
Equity
Index Underlying Supplement dated March 22, 2012)
HSBC USA Inc.
Leveraged Buffered Uncapped Market Participation Securities
Linked to the S&P 500
®
Low Volatility Index
|
}
|
$1,952,000 Leveraged Buffered Uncapped Market Participation Securities linked to the S&P 500
®
Low Volatility
Index
|
|
}
|
Maturity of three years
|
|
}
|
The S&P 500
®
Low Volatility Index measures the performance of the 100 least volatile stocks in the S&P
500
®
Index
|
|
}
|
1.15x uncapped exposure to any positive return of the reference asset
|
|
}
|
Protection from the first 10% of any losses of the reference asset
|
|
}
|
All payments on the securities are subject to the credit risk of HSBC USA Inc.
|
The Leveraged Buffered Uncapped
Market Participation Securities (each a “security” and collectively the “securities") offered hereunder
will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or automated quotation system. The securities 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 securities
or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of this document, the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus or
prospectus 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 securities. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will purchase the securities from
us for distribution to other registered broker-dealers or will offer the securities directly to investors. In addition, HSBC Securities
(USA) Inc. or another of its affiliates or agents may use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions in any securities
after their initial sale. Unless we or our agent informs you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is
being used in a market-making transaction. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page
PS-13 of this pricing supplement.
Investment in the securities
involves certain risks. You should refer to “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-5 of this document, page S-3 of the
accompanying prospectus supplement, and page S-1 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
The Estimated Initial Value
of the securities as of the Pricing Date is $959.70 per security, which is 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”
on page PS-3 and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-5 of this document for additional information.
|
Price to Public
|
Underwriting Discount
1
|
Proceeds to Issuer
|
Per security
|
$1,000
|
$0
|
$1,000
|
Total
|
$1,952,000
|
$0
|
$1,952,000
|
1
HSBC USA Inc.
or one of our affiliates may pay varying referral fees of up to 1.200% per $1,000 Principal Amount in connection with the distribution
of the securities to other registered broker-dealers. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)”
on page PS-13 of this pricing supplement.
The
securities:
Are Not FDIC Insured
|
Are Not Bank Guaranteed
|
May Lose Value
|
HSBC USA
Inc.
Leveraged
Buffered Uncapped Market Participation Securities
|
|
Linked to the S&P 500
®
Low Volatility Index
This offering of securities
has the terms described in this pricing supplement and the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement
and prospectus. If the terms of the securities offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying Equity
Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus, the terms described in this pricing supplement shall control.
You should be willing to forgo interest and dividend payments during the term of the securities.
This pricing supplement
relates to an offering of securities linked to the performance of the S&P 500
®
Low Volatility Index (the “Reference Asset”). The purchaser of a security 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 securities:
Issuer:
|
HSBC USA Inc.
|
|
|
Principal Amount:
|
$1,000 per security
|
|
|
Reference Asset:
|
The S&P 500
®
Low Volatility Index (Ticker: SP5LVI)
|
|
|
Trade Date:
|
July 24, 2013
|
|
|
Pricing Date:
|
July 24, 2013
|
|
|
Original Issue Date:
|
July 29, 2013
|
|
|
Final Valuation Date:
|
July 25, 2016
.
The Final Valuation Date is subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Valuation Dates” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
|
|
|
Maturity Date:
|
July 28, 2016.
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:
|
115%
|
|
|
Payment at Maturity:
|
On the Maturity Date, for each security, we will pay you the Final Settlement Value.
|
|
|
Final Settlement Value:
|
If the Reference Return is greater than zero,
you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return × Upside Participation
Rate).
If the Reference Return is less than or equal
to zero but greater than or equal to the Buffer Level,
you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date of $1,000
per $1,000 Principal Amount (zero return).
If the Reference Return is less than the Buffer
Level,
you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + [$1,000 × (Reference Return + 10%)].
Under these circumstances, you will lose 1% of the Principal
Amount of your securities for each percentage point that the Reference Return is below the Buffer Level. For example, if the Reference
Return is -30%, you will suffer a 20% loss and receive 80% of the Principal Amount.
If the Reference Return is less than the
Buffer Level, you will lose up to 90% of your investment.
|
|
|
Reference Return:
|
The quotient, expressed as a percentage, calculated as follows:
|
|
Final Level – Initial Level
Initial Level
|
|
|
Buffer Level:
|
-10%
|
|
|
Initial Level:
|
5,189.62, which was the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Pricing Date.
|
|
|
Final Level:
|
The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date.
|
|
|
Official Closing Level:
|
The closing level of the Reference Asset on any scheduled trading day as determined by the calculation agent based upon the level displayed on Bloomberg Professional
®
service page “SP5LVI <INDEX>”, or on any successor page on the Bloomberg Professional
®
service or any successor service, as applicable.
|
|
|
Form of Securities:
|
Book-Entry
|
|
|
Listing:
|
The securities will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or quotation system.
|
|
|
Estimated Initial Value:
|
The Estimated Initial Value of the securities is less than the price you pay to purchase the securities. The Estimated Initial Value was determined by reference to our or our affiliates’ internal pricing models and reflects the implied borrowing rate we pay to issue market-linked securities, which is typically lower than the rate we would use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities, and the value of the embedded derivatives in the securities. The Estimated Initial Value was calculated on the Pricing Date.
|
|
|
CUSIP/ISIN:
|
40432XHA2/US40432XHA28
|
GENERAL
This pricing supplement relates to an offering of securities
linked to the Reference Asset. The purchaser of a security will acquire a senior unsecured debt security of HSBC USA Inc. Although
the offering of securities 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 component security included in the Reference Asset or as to the
suitability of an investment in the securities.
You should read this document together
with the prospectus dated March 22, 2012, the prospectus supplement dated March 22, 2012 and the Equity Index Underlying Supplement
dated March 22, 2012. If the terms of the securities offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying Equity
Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus, the terms described in this pricing supplement shall control.
You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-5 of
this pricing supplement, page S-3 of the prospectus supplement and page S-1 of the Equity Index Underlying 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.
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
pricing supplement relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, prospectus supplement and Equity Index Underlying
Supplement in that registration statement and other documents HSBC has filed with the SEC for more complete information about HSBC
and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively,
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus, prospectus supplement
and Equity Index Underlying Supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1-866-811-8049.
You may also obtain:
PAYMENT
AT MATURITY
On the Maturity Date, for each security
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
zero
, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + ($1,000 ×
Reference Return × Upside Participation Rate).
If the Reference Return is less than
or equal to zero but greater than or equal to the Buffer Level,
you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date of $1,000
per $1,000 Principal Amount (zero return).
If the Reference Return is less than
the Buffer Level,
you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + [$1,000 ×
(Reference Return + 10%)].
Under these circumstances, you will lose
1% of the Principal Amount of your securities for each percentage point that the Reference Return is below the Buffer Level. For
example, if the Reference Return is -30%, you will suffer a 20% loss and receive 80% of the Principal Amount.
You should be
aware that if the Reference Return is less than the Buffer Level, you will lose up to 90% of your investment, subject to the credit
risk of HSBC.
Interest
The securities will not pay interest.
RISK
FACTORS
We urge you to read the section “Risk
Factors” beginning on page S-3 in the accompanying prospectus supplement and on page S-1 of the accompanying Equity
Index Underlying Supplement. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing directly in any of the stocks comprising
the Reference Asset. 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 pricing supplement and the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement
and prospectus.
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 securities described in the following sections:
|
}
|
“— Risks Relating to All Note Issuances” in the prospectus supplement; and
|
|
}
|
“— General Risks Related to Indices” in the Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
|
You will be subject to significant risks
not associated with conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt securities.
Your investment in the securities
may result in a loss.
You will be exposed to the decline in the
Final Level from the Initial Level beyond the Buffer Level of -10%. Accordingly, if the Reference Return is less than -10%, your
Payment at Maturity will be less than the Principal Amount of your securities. You will lose up to 90% of your investment at maturity
if the Reference Return is less than the Buffer Level.
Credit risk of HSBC USA Inc.
The securities 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 securities 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 securities,
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 securities 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 securities.
The amount payable on the securities
is not linked to the level of the Reference Asset at any time other than on the Final Valuation Date.
The Final Level 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 level of the Reference Asset appreciates prior to the Final Valuation Date but then drops on the
Final Valuation Date to at or below the Initial Level, the Payment at Maturity will be less, and may be significantly less, than
it would have been had the Payment at Maturity been linked to the level of the Reference Asset prior to such drop. Although the
actual level of the Reference Asset on the Maturity Date or at other times during the term of the securities may be higher than
the Final Level, the Payment at Maturity will be based solely on the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Final
Valuation Date.
The securities will not bear interest.
As a holder of the securities, you will
not receive interest payments.
The Reference Asset has limited actual
historical information.
The Reference Asset was created in April
2011. The reference sponsor has published limited actual information about how the Reference Asset would have performed had it
been calculated in the past. Because the Reference Asset is of recent origin and limited actual historical performance data exists
with respect to it, your investment in the securities may involve a greater risk than investing in securities linked to one or
more indices with a more established record of performance.
A low volatility index may be volatile.
While the Reference Asset has been designed
in part to mitigate the effects of volatility, there is no assurance that it will be successful in doing so. It is also possible
that the features of the Reference Asset designed to address the effects of volatility will instead adversely affect the return
of the Reference Asset and, consequently, the return on the securities.
Changes that affect the Reference
Asset will affect the market value of the securities and the amount you will receive at maturity.
The policies of the reference sponsor concerning
additions, deletions and substitutions of the constituents comprising the Reference Asset and the manner in which the reference
sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting those constituents may affect the level of the Reference Asset. The policies
of the reference sponsor with respect to the calculation of the Reference Asset could also affect the level 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 securities and the return on the securities.
The securities are not insured or
guaranteed by any governmental agency of the United States or any other jurisdiction.
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 or program of the United States or any other jurisdiction. An investment in the securities is subject to the credit risk
of HSBC, and in the event that HSBC is unable to pay its obligations as they become due, you may not receive the full Payment at
Maturity of the securities.
The Estimated Initial Value of the
securities is less than the price to public and may differ from the market value of the securities in the secondary market, if
any.
The Estimated Initial Value of the securities
was calculated by us on the Pricing Date. We determined the Estimated Initial Value 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 securities 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 reflects the implied borrowing rate we use to issue market-linked securities, as well as the mid-market
value of the embedded derivatives in the securities. The implied borrowing 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 implied borrowing rate
and the rate we would use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities, the Estimated Initial Value of the
securities may be lower if it were based on the levels 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 securities to be more favorable to you. 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 exists) at any
time.
The price of your securities in the
secondary market, if any, immediately after the Pricing Date will be less than the price to public.
The price to public takes into account
certain costs. These costs, which will be used or retained by us or one of our affiliates, will include our affiliates’ projected
hedging profits (which may or may not be realized) for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities,
the costs associated with hedging our obligations under the securities, the underwriting discount and the costs associated with
issuing the securities (such as costs associated with creating and documenting the securities). If you were to sell your securities
in the secondary market, if any, the price you would receive for your securities may be less than the price you paid for them.
The price of your securities 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 securities are not
designed to be short-term trading instruments, and you should, therefore, be able and willing to hold the securities to maturity.
Any sale of the securities prior to maturity could result in a loss to you.
If we were to repurchase your securities
immediately after the Original Issue Date, the price you receive may be higher than the Estimated Initial Value of the securities.
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 securities
in the secondary market, if any, and the value that we may initially use for customer account statements, if we provide any customer
account statements at all, may exceed the Estimated Initial Value on the Pricing Date for a temporary period expected to be approximately
seven 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 securities and other
costs in connection with the securities that we will no longer expect to incur over the term of the securities. 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 securities and any agreement we may have with the distributors of the securities. 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 securities based on changes in market conditions and other factors that cannot be predicted.
The securities lack liquidity.
The securities will not be listed on any
securities exchange. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. is not required to offer to purchase the securities 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 securities
easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able
to trade your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. is willing to buy the securities.
Potential conflicts of interest may
exist.
HSBC and its affiliates play a variety
of roles in connection with the issuance of the securities, including acting as calculation agent and hedging our obligations under
the securities. 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 securities. We will not have any obligation to consider your interests as a holder
of the securities in taking any action that might affect the value of your securities.
Uncertain tax treatment.
For a discussion of the U.S. federal income
tax consequences of your investment in a security, 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.
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 level of the Reference Asset relative to its Initial Level. We cannot predict the actual Final Level.
The assumptions we have made in connection with the illustrations set forth below may not reflect actual events. You should not
take this illustration or these examples as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of the Reference Asset or the
return on your securities
.
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 Final Settlement
Value on a $1,000 investment in securities 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 Securities” 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 securities are held to maturity. You should consider carefully whether the
securities are suitable to your investment goals. The following table and examples are based on the following terms:
}
|
Principal Amount:
|
$1,000
|
|
|
|
}
|
Initial Level:
|
5,189.62
|
|
|
|
}
|
Upside Participation Rate:
|
115%
|
|
|
|
}
|
Buffer Level:
|
-10%
|
Hypothetical
Final Level
|
Hypothetical
Reference Return
|
Hypothetical
Final Settlement Value
|
Hypothetical
Return on the Securities
|
10,379.24
|
100.00%
|
$2,150.00
|
115.00%
|
9,341.32
|
80.00%
|
$1,920.00
|
92.00%
|
8,303.39
|
60.00%
|
$1,690.00
|
69.00%
|
7,265.47
|
40.00%
|
$1,460.00
|
46.00%
|
6,746.51
|
30.00%
|
$1,345.00
|
34.50%
|
6,227.54
|
20.00%
|
$1,230.00
|
23.00%
|
5,968.06
|
15.00%
|
$1,172.50
|
17.25%
|
5,708.58
|
10.00%
|
$1,115.00
|
11.50%
|
5,449.10
|
5.00%
|
$1,057.50
|
5.75%
|
5,293.41
|
2.00%
|
$1,023.00
|
2.30%
|
5,241.52
|
1.00%
|
$1,011.50
|
1.15%
|
5,189.62
|
0.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
5,137.72
|
-1.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
5,085.83
|
-2.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
4,930.14
|
-5.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
4,670.66
|
-10.00%
|
$1,000.00
|
0.00%
|
4,151.70
|
-20.00%
|
$900.00
|
-10.00%
|
3,632.73
|
-30.00%
|
$800.00
|
-20.00%
|
3,113.77
|
-40.00%
|
$700.00
|
-30.00%
|
2,075.85
|
-60.00%
|
$500.00
|
-50.00%
|
1,037.92
|
-80.00%
|
$300.00
|
-70.00%
|
0.00
|
-100.00%
|
$100.00
|
-90.00%
|
The following examples indicate how the
Final Settlement Value would be calculated with respect to a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the securities.
Example 1: The level of the Reference
Asset increases from the Initial Level of 5,189.62 to a Final Level of 7,265.47.
|
|
Reference Return:
|
40%
|
Final Settlement Value:
|
$1,460.00
|
Because the Reference Return is positive,
the Final Settlement Value would be $1,460 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference
Return × Upside Participation Rate)
= $1,000 + ($1,000 × 40% ×
115%)
= $1,460
Example 1 shows that you will receive the
return of your principal investment plus a return equal to the Reference Return multiplied by the Upside Participation Rate when
such Reference Return is positive.
Example 2: The level of the Reference
Asset decreases from the Initial Level of 5,189.62 to a Final Level of 4,670.66.
|
|
Reference Return:
|
-5.00%
|
Final Settlement Value:
|
$1,000
|
Because the Reference Return is less than
zero but greater than the Buffer Level of -10%, the Final Settlement Value would be $1,000 per $1,000 Principal Amount (a zero
return).
Example 3: The level of the Reference
Asset decreases from the Initial Level of 5,189.62 to a Final Level of 3,113.77
|
|
Reference Return:
|
-40%
|
Final Settlement Value:
|
$700
|
Because the Reference
Return is less than the Buffer Level of -10%, the Final Settlement Value would be $700 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated
as follows:
$1,000 + [$1,000 ×
(Reference Return + 10%)]
= $1,000 + [$1,000
× (-40.00% + 10%)]
= $700
Example 3 shows that you
are exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to declines in the level of the Reference Asset beyond the Buffer Level of -10%. YOU MAY LOSE UP
TO 90% OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF YOUR SECURITIES.
THE
S&P 500
®
LOW VOLATILITY INDEX (“SP5LVI”)
Description of the Reference Asset
The
SP5LVI measures the performance of the 100 least volatile stocks over the previous year in the S&P 500
®
Index.
It is designed to serve as a benchmark for low volatility strategies in the U.S. stock market
.
There are two steps in
the creation of the Index:
Constituent selection:
The volatilities of all S&P 500
®
Index constituents are calculated using daily standard deviation data for approximately
the past year. Constituents are ranked in order of their realized volatility. The Index comprises the 100 least volatile stocks.
Constituent weighting:
At each rebalancing, the weight for each Index constituent is set inversely proportional to its volatility (higher weightings are
assigned to the least volatile stocks). The Index is rebalanced in February, May, August and November of each year.
As of the May 2013 rebalancing,
the sector weightings in the SP5LVI were as follows: Consumer Discretionary: 1.94%, Consumer Staples: 20.21%, Energy: 2.70%, Financials:
19.70%, Healthcare: 9.78%, Industrials: 8.26%, Information Technology: 2.76%, Materials: 2.66%, Telecommunication Services: 1.82%
and Utilities: 30.17%.
For more information about the SP5LVI, see “The S&P
500
Low Volatility Index” on page S-18 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
Hypothetical and Actual
Historical Performance of the SP5LVI
The following graph sets forth the hypothetical
back-tested performance of the SP5LVI from July 24, 2008 through April 19, 2011 and the historical performance of the SP5LVI from
April 20, 2011 to July 24, 2013. The SP5LVI has only been calculated since April 20, 2011. The hypothetical back-tested performance
of the SP5LVI set forth in the following graph was calculated using the selection criteria and methodology employed to calculate
the SP5LVI since its inception on April 20, 2011. However, the hypothetical back-tested SP5LVI data only reflects the application
of that methodology in hindsight, since the SP5LVI was not actually calculated and published prior to April 20, 2011. The hypothetical
back-tested SP5LVI data cannot completely account for the impact of financial risk in actual trading. There are numerous factors
related to the equities markets in general that cannot be, and have not been, accounted for in the hypothetical back-tested SP5LVI
data, all of which can affect actual performance. Consequently, you should not rely on that data as a reflection of what the actual
SP5LVI performance would have been had the index been in existence or in forecasting future SP5LVI performance. Because the SP5LVI
is a price return index, and not a total return index, the data presented below does not reflect the payment of dividends. The
graph below also reflects the actual closing levels from April 20, 2011 to July 24, 2013 that we obtained 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 closing level for the SP5LVI on July 24, 2013 was 5,189.62. The hypothetical
and actual performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.
Source: Bloomberg Professional
®
service
The
hypothetical and actual historical levels of the SP5LVI should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance
can be given as to the Official Closing Level of the SP5LVI on the Final Valuation Date.
The
tables below are a comparison of the 1997 through 2012 annual returns and the 1,3,5,10,15 and 20 year annualized returns and standard
deviations for the S&P 500
®
Low Volatility Index and the S&P 500
®
Index. The SP5LVI has only
been calculated since April 20, 2011. Accordingly, while the hypothetical tables set forth below are based on the selection criteria
and methodology described herein and in the Equity Index Underlying Supplement, the SP5LVI was not actually calculated and published
prior to April 20, 2011. The hypothetical and actual historical performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.
Because the SP5LVI is a price return index, and not a total return index, the return data presented below does not reflect the
payment of dividends.
Annual Returns¹
|
|
S&P 500
®
Low Volatility Index
|
S&P 500
®
Index
|
1997
|
26.27%
|
31.01%
|
1998
|
4.80%
|
26.67%
|
1999
|
-10.72%
|
19.53%
|
2000
|
20.68%
|
-10.14%
|
2001
|
1.54%
|
-13.04%
|
2002
|
-9.83%
|
-23.37%
|
2003
|
19.43%
|
26.38%
|
2004
|
14.38%
|
8.99%
|
2005
|
-0.67%
|
3.00%
|
2006
|
16.49%
|
13.62%
|
2007
|
-2.16%
|
3.53%
|
2008
|
-23.61%
|
-38.49%
|
2009
|
15.52%
|
23.45%
|
2010
|
9.79%
|
12.78%
|
2011
|
10.88%
|
0.00%
|
2012
|
6.70%
|
13.41%
|
1
Annual Return is a return an investment provides
over a period of one year, expressed as (a) the difference between ending level and starting level, divided by (b) starting level.
Annualized Return² Data as of December 31, 2012
|
|
S&P 500
®
Low Volatility Index
|
S&P 500
®
Index
|
1 Yr.
|
6.70%
|
13.41%
|
3 Yrs.
|
9.11%
|
8.55%
|
5 Yrs.
|
2.77%
|
-0.58%
|
10 Yrs.
|
5.89%
|
4.95%
|
15 Yrs.
|
4.12%
|
2.60%
|
20 Yrs.
|
6.45%
|
6.11%
|
2
Annualized Return is a return an investment provides over a period of time, representing a geometric average of annual returns
over that period. The geometric average of annual returns represents the average rate per year on an investment that is compounded
over a period of several years.
Annualized Standard Deviation³
|
|
|
|
S&P 500
®
Low Volatility Index
|
S&P 500
®
Index
|
|
1 Yr.
|
6.03%
|
10.56%
|
|
3 Yrs.
|
8.86%
|
15.34%
|
|
5 Yrs.
|
12.65%
|
19.06%
|
|
10 Yrs.
|
10.16%
|
14.78%
|
|
15 Yrs.
|
11.78%
|
16.24%
|
|
20 Yrs.
|
11.27%
|
15.11%
|
|
3
Standard Deviation is a statistical measure of the distance a quantity is likely to lie from its average value. In finance,
standard deviation is applied to the annual rate of return of an investment, to measure the investment's volatility, or “risk”.
Sector
Weightings
The table below shows the current weight, average weight and
maximum weight of each industry sector included in the SP5LVI. The SP5LVI has only been calculated since April 20, 2011. Accordingly,
while the hypothetical tables set forth below are based on the selection criteria and methodology described herein and in the Equity
Index Underlying Supplement, the SP5LVI was not actually calculated and published prior to April 20, 2011. No assurance can be
given that these weightings will not change.
The hypothetical back-tested
weights of the SP5LVI set forth above were calculated using the selection criteria and methodology employed to calculate the SP5LVI
since its inception on April 20, 2011.
License Agreement
Standard & Poor’s
®
and S&P
®
are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”); Dow Jones
®
is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed
for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. “Standard & Poor’s
®
”, “S&P 500
®
”
and “S&P
®
” are trademarks of S&P and have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices
LLC and its affiliates and sublicensed for certain purposes by HSBC. The S&P 500
®
Low Volatility Index
(the “Index”) is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by HSBC.
The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted
by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones
Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the
securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the securities particularly
or the ability of the Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to HSBC
with respect to the Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow
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the determination or calculation of the equation by which the securities are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones
Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the securities. There is
no assurance that investment products based on the Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment
returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Index is not
a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated
to the securities currently being issued by HSBC, but which may be similar to and competitive with the securities. In addition,
CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the Index. It is possible
that this trading activity will affect the value of the Index and the securities.
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TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
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OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY HSBC, HOLDERS OF THE SECURITIES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX
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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 pricing supplement. In that 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, 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 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 accompanying prospectus.