Simplified Prospectus SEPTEMBER 2011 HSBC International Select Fund MultiAlpha Europe Equity VISA 2011/80054-3213-9-PS L'apposition du visa ne peut en aucun cas servir d'argument de publicité Luxembourg, le 2011-11-14 Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier GEDI:2518582v5
MultiAlpha Europe Equity Important information What does the Sub-Fund invest in? This simplified prospectus contains key information in relation to the sub-fund. If you would like more information before you invest, please consult the most recent full prospectus (the "Full Prospectus"). Unless defined in this document, defined terms shall bear the same meaning as in the Full Prospectus. For details about the sub-fund's holdings, please see the most recent report. HSBC International Select Fund MultiAlpha Europe Equity (hereinafter the "Sub-Fund") is a sub-fund of HSBC International Select Fund (hereinafter the "Company"). The Company is a Luxembourg investment company with multiple compartments organised as a "société anonyme" incorporated on 26 October 2001. The Company exists for an unlimited period and qualifies as an undertaking for collective investment in transferable securities under Part I of the Luxembourg law of 17 December 2010 on undertakings for collective investment (the "2010 Law"). The rights and duties of the investor as well as the legal relationship with the Company are laid down in the Full Prospectus. The Full Prospectus and the periodical reports may be obtained, free of charge, from the Company. Investment objective The Sub-Fund seeks long-term capital growth by investing predominantly in a well-diversified portfolio of investments in equity and equity equivalent securities of companies which have their registered office in, and with an official listing on a major stock exchange or other Regulated Market of any European country as well as companies which carry out a preponderant part of their economic activities in Europe. The Sub-Fund uses a multi-manager approach, relying upon one or more investment sub-advisers to manage portions of the Sub-Fund's portfolio. The Sub-Fund may invest no more than 10% in total in other UCITS and UCIs. Financial derivative instruments may be used for hedging and efficient portfolio management purposes. Launch date 17 July 2008 Base currency Who should invest in the Sub-Fund? What are the risks of investing in the Sub-Fund? Euro Profile of the typical investor The Sub-Fund is suitable for investors with a medium to long term investment horizon. A high proportion of the assets may be invested in equity, or equity-related securities which may be subject to higher volatility of return. To determine if the Sub-Fund is suitable, it is recommended that the investor consults a stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant, representative bank or other financial adviser. Risk Profile Investment in the Sub-Fund carries with it a degree of risk, but not limited to, those referred to below. Potential investors should review the Full Prospectus in its entirety and have a clear picture of the Sub-Fund prior to a decision to invest.there can be no assurance that the Sub-Fund will achieve its investment objectives and past performance, if any, should not be seen as a guide to future returns. An investment may also be affected by any changes in exchange control regulation, tax laws, withholding taxes and economic or monetary policies. Market risk The value of investments and the income derived therefrom may fall as well as rise and investors may not recoup the original amount invested in the Company. In particular, the value of investments may be affected by uncertainties such as international, political and economic developments or changes in government policies. Foreign exchange risk Because the Sub-Fund s assets and liabilities may be denominated in currencies different to the Base Currency, the Sub-Fund may be affected favourably or unfavourably by exchange control regulations or changes in the exchange rates between the Base Currency and other currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates may influence the value of the Sub-Fund s Shares, the dividends or interest earned and the gains and losses realised. Exchange rates between currencies are determined by supply and demand in the currency exchange markets, the international balance of payments, governmental intervention, speculation and other economic and political conditions. If the currency in which a security is denominated appreciates against the Base Currency, the value of the security will increase. Conversely, a decline in the exchange rate of the currency would adversely affect the value of the security. HSBC International Select Fund MultiAlpha Europe Equity 2
The Sub-Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions in order to hedge against currency exchange risk, however there is no guarantee that hedging or protection will be achieved. This strategy may also limit the Sub- Fund from benefiting from the performance of the Sub-Fund s securities if the currency in which the securities held by the sub-fund are denominated rises against the Base Currency. In case of a hedged class, (denominated in a currency different from the Base Currency), this risk applies systematically. Liquidity risk The Sub-Fund is exposed to the risk that a particular investment or position cannot be easily unwound or offset due to insufficient market depth or market disruption. This can affect the ability of a shareholder to redeem funds from the Sub-Fund, and can also have an impact on the value of the Sub-Fund. Although the Sub-Fund will invest mainly in the Investment Funds in which the shareholders are entitled to redeem their shares within a reasonable timeframe, there may be exceptional circumstances in which such Investment Funds can not guarantee the liquidity of their shares/units. Absence of liquidity may have a determined impact on the Sub-Fund and the value of its investments. Further details are provided in the Full Prospectus. Share Class Information The following Share Classes may be issued: A Shares: E Shares: I Shares: X Shares: Z Shares: are available to all investors. are available in certain countries, subject to the relevant regulatory approval, through specific distributors selected by the Distributor. are available to all investors. are available through specific distributors selected by the Distributor provided that the investors qualify as institutional investors within the meaning of article 174 of the 2010 Law and fall into one of the following categories: companies or company pension funds, insurance companies, registered charities or funds managed or advised by an HSBC Group entity and other such institutional investors, as agreed by the Board of Directors. are available to investors having entered into a discretionary management agreement with an HSBC Group entity and to investors subscribing via distributors selected by the Distributor provided that such investors qualify as institutional investors within the meaning of article 174 of the 2010 Law. Within each sub-fund, separate currency hedged Share Classes may be issued (suffixed by "H" and the currency into which the Base Currency or a currency the sub-fund total assets are primarily invested in is hedged e.g. "ACHEUR" or "ACHGBP" for a Capital-Accumulation Share Class hedged into Euro or Sterling Pound). Any fees of the Administration Agent relating to the execution of the currency hedging policy will be borne by the relevant currency hedged class. These fees are in addition to the operating, administrative and servicing expenses detailed under Section 2.10 (3) of the Full Prospectus. Any gain or losses from the currency hedging shall also accrue to the relevant currency hedged class. Distribution Policy The Company issues Distribution and Capital-Accumulation Shares in different Classes: Capital-Accumulation Shares are identifiable by a "C" following the Sub-Fund and Class names and do not pay any dividends. Distribution Shares are identifiable by a "D" following the Sub-Fund and Class names, with the exception of Monthly Distribution Shares which are identifiable by an "M" following the Sub-Fund and Class names (e.g.: Class AM). The distribution policy of the Distribution Shares can be summarised as follows: Dividends will be declared separately in respect of each Distribution Class of each Sub-Fund by the meeting of shareholders of the relevant Class of Shares of the relevant Sub-Fund at the end of each financial year. The board of directors of the Company may declare interim dividends in respect of certain Sub-Funds. Dividends will be announced in the financial press. Payment of dividends will be made within six weeks of such declaration to holders of Shares in the respective Sub-Funds at the dividend record date as stated in such resolution. Fees and Expenses Share Class Management Fee (%)* Operating, Administration and Servicing Fee (%)* Total Expense Ratio (%) (including transaction costs)* Class A 1.50 0.40 1.90 Class E 2.00 0.40 2.40 Class I 0.75 0.25 1.00 Class X 0.75 0.20** 0.95 Class Z 0.00 0.20** 0.20 HSBC International Select Fund MultiAlpha Europe Equity 3
* of the net asset value. ** The operating, administrative and servicing expenses for these Share Classes will be capped at the rates quoted. Shareholders Expenses Subscription charge: Conversion charge: Redemption charge: Up to 5.54 % of the Net Asset Value per Share ("Offer Price") (for all Classes of Shares). Up to 1.00 % of the value of the Shares converted (for all Classes of Shares). None. Taxation of Shareholders / the Company Prospective investors should ascertain from their professional advisers the consequences to them of acquiring, holding, redeeming, transferring, selling or converting Shares under the relevant laws of the jurisdictions to which they are subject, including the tax consequences and any exchange control requirements. Under current law and practice, the Company is not liable to any Luxembourg income tax. However, pursuant to the Council Directive 2003/48/EC of 3 June 2003 on taxation of savings income implemented in the Luxembourg law by a law of 21 June 2005, a withholding tax may be applicable as from 1 July 2005. Further details are provided in the Full Prospectus. The Company is liable to annual tax in Luxembourg ("taxe d'abonnement") calculated at the rate of 0.05 % per annum of its net asset value, and at the rate of 0.01 % per annum of the net asset values of the Sub-Funds or Classes of Shares reserved to institutional investors within the meaning of article 174 of the 2010 Law. This tax is calculated at the end of the quarter to which the tax relates and payable quarterly. No stamp duty or other tax is payable in Luxembourg in connection with the issue of Shares of the Company. Price publication The Net Asset Value per Share is available at the registered office of the Company, at the distributors offices and in various publications as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The prices are calculated on each Dealing Day on the basis of the net asset value of the relevant Class of Shares or the relevant Sub-Fund in its relevant currencies. The Offer Price for Shares of each Class of each Sub-Fund includes a subscription charge of up to 5.54% of the net asset value per Share. The Redemption Price is equal to the Net Asset Value per Share of the relevant Class of Shares. Further details are provided in the Full Prospectus. How to buy / sell / convert Shares Applications for subscription / redemption / conversion of Shares of the Sub-Fund may be made to the Company, either directly to the Registrar and Transfer Agent or through a distributor before the appropriate dealing cut-off times on a Dealing Day as set forth below, in order to be dealt with on that specific Dealing Day. A Dealing Day is any day on which banks are open for normal banking business in Luxembourg ("Business Day") (other than days during a period of suspension of dealing in Shares and other than a Business Day immediately following the end of a period of such suspension) and which is also, for the Sub-Fund, a day where stock exchanges and regulated markets in countries where the Sub-Fund is materially invested are open for normal trading. The Business Days, which are not Dealing Days, will be listed in the annual and semi-annual reports and available at the registered office of the Company. The non-dealing days are listed in the annual and semi-annual reports and are available at the registered office of the Company. Investors buying Shares for the first time should complete an application form. Any subsequent purchase or any redemption of Shares can be made by letter, fax or, by prior agreement, by telephone. The latter may require confirmation in writing. Instructions to buy, sell and switch Shares should be addressed to: RBC Dexia Investor Services Bank S.A. 14, Porte de France, L-4360 Esch-sur-Alzette, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Tel: (+352) 2605 9553 - Fax: (+352) 2460 9500 Dealing cut-off times at place of issue of orders: Rest of the World: 1.00 p.m. Luxembourg time on any Dealing Day Jersey Poland: 5.00 p.m. Jersey time on the Business Day immediately preceding the Dealing Day 10.00 a.m. Poland time on any Dealing Day Settlement may be made by electronic transfer, net of bank charges to the relevant correspondent bank(s) quoting the applicant's name and stating the appropriate Sub-Fund into which settlement monies are paid within four days (which are Business Days and days during which the banks in the principal financial centre for the Dealing Currency of the relevant Share Class are open for business) after application. Shares are provisionally allotted but not allocated until cleared funds have been received by the Company or to its order. Contract Notes and, for those who have not completed an application form, registration slips, are posted to the investor on the allotment of Shares. HSBC International Select Fund MultiAlpha Europe Equity 4
Further details are provided in the Full Prospectus. Subscription and Redemption Information Share Class Minimum initial investment and minimum holding Class A USD 5,000 Class E USD 5,000 Class I USD 1,000,000 Class X USD 2,000,000 Class Z USD 1,000,000 There is no requirement on minimum subsequent investment. All figures shall be construed to refer to equivalent amounts in other major currencies. Not all Share Classes are available in all jurisdictions. Available Dealing Currencies and Share Classes Investors can buy Shares and make their payments either in the Base Currency or in the following Dealing Currency: Euro, Pound Sterling and US Dollar. With the exception of currency hedged Share Classes and where an investor requires the payment of a subscription or redemption in a currency other than the Base Currency of the Sub-Fund the necessary foreign exchange transaction between this currency and the Base Currency of the Sub-Fund will be arranged by the distributor or the Registrar and Transfer Agent at the investor s expense on the basis of the exchange rate applicable as at the Dealing Day. Share Class Class A Class E Class I Class X Class Z ISIN codes AC AD EC ED IC ID XC XD ZC ZD LU0358924438 LU0358924511 LU0358924602 LU0358924784 LU0358924867 LU0358924941 LU0358925088 LU0358925161 LU0358925245 LU0358925328 Annual Performance 0.30 0.25 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.00 2009 2010 2011 Calculation date: 31 March 2011 Currency: Base Currency Please note that past performance is not a guide to future performance. Investors may not get back the full amount invested, as prices of Shares and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Additional Information Management Company HSBC Investment Funds (Luxembourg) S.A. Registrar and Transfer Agent RBC Dexia Investor Services Bank S.A. 14, Porte de France, L-4360 Esch-sur-Alzette, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Tel: (+352) 2605 9553 - Fax: (+352) 2460 9500 Global Distributor HSBC Investment Funds (Luxembourg) S.A. HSBC International Select Fund MultiAlpha Europe Equity 5
Custodian and Administration Agent / Principal Paying Agent RBC Dexia Investor Services Bank S.A. 14, Porte de France, L-4360 Esch-sur-Alzette, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Investment Adviser HSBC Global Asset Management (France) Immeuble Ile de France, 4 Place de la Pyramide, La Défense 9, 92800 Puteaux, France Auditors KPMG Audit, Réviseurs d'entreprises 9, allée Scheffer, L-2520 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Registered Office of the Company Supervisory Authority Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Promoter HSBC Group Contact Management Company HSBC Investment Funds (Luxembourg) S.A. Tel : (+352) 48 88 96 21 Fax : (+352) 48 88 96 31 HSBC International Select Fund MultiAlpha Europe Equity 6