Frequently Asked Questions

A1: What affects the value of money?

Money has a tendency to lose its value over time because the price of goods and services has an upward tendency. This is called inflation. Here are some factors that could eat away your money:

• Inflation. Simply, inflation occurs when the price of goods and services rises. And when prices rise, people will ask for a rise in salary. That's why the money you earn today will be worth less 10 years from now.
• Interest rate fluctuations. A drop in interest rates means a smaller return on your deposits, and if the interest rate is lower than the rate of inflation, your savings lose value. But for some investments, such as equities and bonds, the value of your investment may rise because of the drop in interest rates.
• International economic trends. What happens in other economies can affect the value of your money. Political circumstances, GDP growth, and stock-market indices in other countries can all have an impact on the buying power of your money.

With so many factors involved, it is crucial that you have a financial plan to protect your future and to put your money where it generates reasonable returns to meet your needs.

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A2: What is pre-opening session?

On 25 March 2002, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx) introduced new trading hours by launching a pre-opening session for the securities market 30 minutes before the normal morning trading session (Mon-Fri, 9:30 am -12:00 noon). Now you can place orders and have transactions executed before the morning trading session commences.

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A3: What is at-auction limit order?

At Auction limit order is a limit order valid for the pre-opening session, i.e. 9:00am - 9:30am . Only orders with at-auction-limit price within a 500 spread of the market price will be passed to the HKEx for processing. In addition, please note that orders accepted by the Bank may nevertheless not be supported by the HKEx's AMS/3, such as at-auction limit orders with order price lower than HKD0.01 or deviates 9 times or more from the previous closing price, and accordingly, such orders will not be executed.

For the pre-opening session, any unfilled at-auction limit orders at HKEx will be converted to limit orders and carried forward to the next trading session.

You can conveniently place an at-auction-limit order any time through HSBC Internet Banking except from 9:15am to 4:00pm on Hong Kong trading days.

To protect our customer's interest, a message will be displayed to remind you to double check input price should your at-auction limit price deviates from the last price of previous trading session by 10% or more, except for scenarios where no previous closing price is available such as newly listed stocks or warrants, etc.

To help you better capture market opportunities, if the HKEx's pre-opening session is cancelled due to typhoon, Black Rainstorm Warning or any other reasons, the Bank will convert your at-auction limit order to normal limit order and place it in the normal trading session when HKEx resumes trading during the same trading day. In addition, in case your at-auction limit order cannot be successfully passed to HKEx within the pre-opening session due to any reasons, the Bank will also convert your at-auction limit order to normal limit order and place it in the following normal trading session to further enhance the order processing efficiency.

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A4: When should I start planning for the future?

The sooner you start, the better. The example below shows the difference in accumulative savings between Mr Early and Mr Late, who start saving at different times.
You can also try our calculator to find out how much you could earn if you saved a fixed amount of money every year.
Mr Early saves for 10 years and then stops. Mr Late starts 10 years later and saves for 20 years. But Mr Early still gets 87% more than Mr Late (based upon 10% annual growth, not taking into account annual inflation).

Start planning now to foresee how much savings you will accumulate within a specific time frame. This will help you master the future better. And, you should always have a nest egg in case of an emergency or unanticipated circumstances.

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A5: What types of financial tools can I invest my money in?

You can choose from three main financial tools with varying degrees of risk:

• Savings
• Investments
• Multi-purpose products

Traditionally, savings accounts are the safest place to put your money. They provide high liquidity - you can quickly and easily retrieve your money - but offer lower rates of interest. Investment tools offer potentially higher returns but with a greater risk. Multi-purpose products are usually a mixture of the two.

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A6: What investment products are available in the market?

One thing to remember about investments is that the level of return is generally proportionate to the level of risk. Thus an investment offering potentially high returns will usually have a high risk element.

• Securities
• Bonds
• Foreign currency
• Precious metals
• Futures/commodities
• Unit trusts

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A7: What are securities?

Securities is the generic name for shares and other investment tools quoted on the stock market. Individuals may invest in securities, either through a broker or through their bank, and can check the progress of their investment every day in the newspapers or on the Internet.
It is possible to enjoy a higher rate of return from investing in securities than from savings accounts. Stock market securities in thriving economic climates will generally show an increase over time, and sometimes within a very short period. However, all stock markets are volatile and buying securities should not be seen as a short-term method of making money.
Buying securities also costs money. Stockbrokers make various charges for their services, such as commission. You may consider taking advantage of convenient payment and reimbursement terms by dealing through your bank.
Other than investing in securities by yourself, you can assign asset management professionals or companies to invest on your behalf.

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A8: What are bonds?

Bonds are issued by governments and corporations in order to raise money and are a relatively safe investment. Bonds are usually seen as a long-term investment and can have terms of up to 30 years, although five to ten years is the normal investment period. Bonds also tend to have a high entry level, with units usually selling for more than USD5,000. Many fund managers use bonds as a stable element in unit trust products.
Bonds are available through brokers and banks.

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A9: How do I invest in foreign currency?

There are two ways to gain a return on your capital from foreign currency, either through interest-rate differences or exchange-rate fluctuations.
Many financial institutions offer margin trading on foreign currencies. This means that you deposit a small percentage of your investment amount, but receive the whole amount of the interest. Of course, this is highly speculative and can be extremely risky. If the currency devalues by more than your interest return, you will actually lose money.

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A10: How do I invest in precious metals?

Precious metals have been a source of investment for hundreds of years. Gold is the most widely used precious metal investment in many countries, but it is also possible to deal in silver and platinum, and even copper and tin.
Because of the popularity of gold, there are many ways to invest in it:

• Physical gold. You purchase actual pieces of gold, which can take the form of coins, taels, bars or jewellery.
• Paper gold. To minimise the risk of keeping physical gold, you can instead buy and sell gold in the form of certificates. These certificates will carry your name, so only you can sell them.
• Gold passbook account. This is where you save gold as if it were money. Instead of earning interest, you gain a return when the price of gold rises.

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A11: How do I invest in futures and commodities?

You buy a lot or a unit, the price of which is linked to a stock market index, which has a maturity term of a fixed period, in the hope that it will be worth more at maturity than when you bought it. You can buy and sell at any time before the maturity date.
This same investment method is available for a number of other commodities where you're speculating on their value at maturity - coffee, sugar, pig iron, soya beans, precious metals and even foreign currencies. Futures can provide big returns, but they are considered a high-risk investment tool, especially for commodities that have volatile prices such as coffee.

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A12: What are unit trusts?

Unit trusts (or mutual funds) are an ideal medium to long-term investment tool. They give investors the opportunity to diversify even a small investment in securities, bonds, currencies and commodities in markets around the world. This is achieved by combining the resources of many investors into one large fund which can be spread over a number of different investments and over a wide geographical area. This range of investments is called a portfolio.
Unit trusts have a number of benefits:
Spreading the risk. You spread your investment across a diverse portfolio. This is usually safer than investing in a single share. Of course, levels of risk and return also vary among different funds.

• Professional management. Fund managers spend their working lives researching and managing investments. It would be very difficult for an individual to have an in-depth knowledge of markets around the world. With a unit trust, their expertise is working for you.
• Access to worldwide markets. Your money can be invested in overseas markets, which may not be easily accessible by individuals.
• Economies of scale. With a large number of investors contributing to a single fund, operating costs and commissions can be amortised. Individual investors thus pay lower fees.
• Liquidity. You can buy and sell unit trusts on any dealing day (except on public holidays in the countries to which your fund is linked). Your money need not be tied up for a specific period of time.

Some unit trust products are linked to the index options listed on the various stock exchanges or sometimes to currency options. They can be slightly riskier than more diverse funds, but they're likely to offer a greater return on your investment.

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A13: What are some examples of multi-purpose investment products?

• Unit trust savings. This is a savings plan that allows you to put away a little each month into one or more unit trust products.
• Insurance with unit trust savings. Part of your monthly contribution goes into one or more unit trusts and part of it into a life insurance policy. At the end of the term, you reap the gains from the unit trusts, while in the meantime, you have the benefit of insurance protection.
• Insurance with savings. This is similar to the above, except that your savings are placed in money market funds in different currencies or other types of investment.
• Precious metals with savings. This is an account that lets you deposit an amount each month, usually in units of one tael or one-tenth of an ounce. It is a long-term investment that gradually builds up your investment.

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A14: How do I choose the right investment partner?

Many people in the past have lost money through unwise investments or lack of relevant information and assistance. Or, more to the point, through unscrupulous brokers. If you're thinking of making an investment, here are some questions you should answer or actions to take:

• Are you dealing through a reputable financial institution?
• Is the company registered with the appropriate government bodies?
• If you're at all unsure who you're dealing with, seek the advice of an accountant, a financial advisor or your bank manager.
• Compare the services offered and the fees charged with other companies.
• Is the investment tool you're thinking of using approved by the appropriate government bodies?

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A15: I'm a new investor. What are the basic rules to investing wisely?

Here are some simple guidelines to follow for making wise investments:

• Set your objectives.
• Do your homework before investing. It is risky to rely on pure luck when making an investment.
• Ask yourself whether you want to invest or speculate.
• For investment, make sure you have a cut-off point in mind to protect your bottom line.
• In the case of speculation, don't make investment decisions out of panic when the market becomes volatile.
• Invest as much as you can afford, but no more.
• Don't leave money lying around in non-interest bearing accounts except as stand-by cash.
• Make sure your investment portfolio gives you a big enough return to beat inflation.
• Always use a reputable investment firm or financial institution.
• Diversify. Invest internationally and spread your investments over a range of low, medium and high risk products in order to hedge against losses.
• Make sure you understand exactly what risks are involved with every investment you make.
• If in doubt, seek professional advice.
• Keep an eye on your investments. Take opportunities and shift products if it is beneficial to do so.

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A16: What should I do before I start investing?

Know your current financial situation. Before you begin to think about investing your money, you should know how much you can spare each month. Naturally, the more you can put aside now, the better it will be for your future. It's up to you to achieve a balance between your current lifestyle and your expectations.
Use our handy planning tool to find out how much you can invest. Or take a look at the example below.
Calculate your income and expenses taking into account the following:

• Mortgage repayments
• Personal tax
• Loans and overdrafts
• Living expenses
• Emergency funds
• Car expenses
• Entertainment
• Holidays
• School fees
• Family commitments

Generally speaking, whatever spare cash you have after allowing for all your expenses is what you can afford to invest. You can commit a certain amount each month and look upon it as a monthly expense. As your salary increases, you should also increase the amount you invest proportionately. By doing this, you'll be keeping up with inflation and your money will be working harder for you.

Example

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A17: I know how much I have to invest, now what?

Once you know how much you can afford to invest, you can set your objectives - why you are investing and how you are planning to use your investments. Your objectives could incorporate any combination of the following:

• Retirement
• Protection for your family
• Education for your children
• Special needs or emergencies
• Specific occasions (e.g. a wedding, buying a house, emigrating)
• Wealth accrual

Now make a list of your objectives, in order of priority, because you may not be able to afford to achieve every single goal. Divide your objectives also into long, medium and short-term goals. This will help you choose the type of investment you want to make. For example, if you plan to send your children to study abroad in three years' time and you need to save for their tuition fees and living expenses, you'll need a fairly low-risk investment. Think about when you will need the return as it also helps to determine the time horizon of your investment.
You can calculate how much you need to reach your objectives, taking into account projected interest rates and inflation.
If you already know how much you'll need in the future, try this calculator to find out how much you'd need to deposit today at what interest rate (or rate of return) in order to reach your goal.

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A18: How do I determine my attitude toward investment risk?

The following questions may help you determine your attitude toward investment risk:

• How many years of experience do you have with investment products the value of which can fluctuate?
• What are your current holdings in investment products?
• What level of fluctuation in value of your investment and the investment horizon would you be generally be comfortable with?
• What percentage of your monthly household income could be available for investment or savings?
• How much have you put aside to meet unforeseen events?

Please make use of our Risk Profiling Questionnaire to help you find out more about your attitude towards investment risk.

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A19: How can I research and keep track of my investments?

The more you know about what you're investing in the better. Stock prices and unit trust prices are quoted in the newspapers and on the Internet, and you can keep track of spot prices through your broker or your bank.
If you're thinking of buying shares in a particular company, ask the company or your broker for their annual report. This will give you valuable information about the company's performance, its financial situation and future plans.
Many investment companies also hold seminars, especially when they're launching a new fund. Banks also host similar events for the benefit of their customers. Attending them can be informative and useful.
Constant review helps to keep your investments up-to-date. In order to maximise the money you invest, it is necessary to review your investment portfolio on a regular basis. Your financial situation and your investment goals could change, and markets are constantly shifting.
New opportunities and investment tools also emerge from time to time, and it is possible that some investments you are holding are not performing to your expectations. If that is the case, you may consider revising your portfolio.

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A1: How can I benefit from bond investments?

• Regular income
  Receive regular income generated by the interest paid throughout the life of the bond.
• Higher return
  Bond yields are usually higher than time deposit rates with similar maturity.
• Potential capital gain
  You can also benefit from capital appreciation if bond prices move up.

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A2: What types of bond are available through HSBC?

Bonds from HSBC can be categorised by:

• types of issuers - corporate bonds, supranational bonds and government/quasi-government bonds
• coupon - fixed rate bonds, floating rate bonds and zero-coupon bonds
• credit quality - investment grade bonds
• currency - HKD, USD, AUD, CAD, CNY, EUR, GBP, NZD and SGD

HSBC offers you a wide selection of investment grade bonds with tenors ranging from 1 to 30 years.

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A3: Do I need a large sum of money to invest in bonds?

HSBC lets you invest in a wide range of bonds with a minimum investment amount of HK$50,000⁺⁺.

++Please note the minimum and incremental investment amount varies from bond to bond. Please consult us for more details.

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A4: How can I trade bonds with HSBC?

You can now trade bonds via HSBC Internet Banking. If you already have an HSBC Investment Services/Securities account, you can simply log on and execute your bond order with us. We also offer bond trading services through our branches and investment phonebanking service. To open an Investment Services/Securities account, simply visit www.hsbc.com.hk any time or visit any HSBC branch in Hong Kong.

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A5: Do I have to hold bonds until maturity?

No. You can sell your bond before it matures and benefits from capital appreciation if the selling price is higher than the original buying price. Under normal market circumstances, HSBC will repurchase bonds bought through us at the prevailing market price. However, the buying price offered by HSBC may differ from the original selling price due to changes in market conditions.

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A6: What if I need cash but the current selling price for my bonds is not favourable?

HSBC can offer you a loan at preferential rates of up to 70% the value of your bonds. Please consult us for details.

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A7: How can I collect my interest payments?

All bonds purchased through HSBC are under our custody and nominee service. So just sit back and we'll ensure all interest earned is credited to your settlement account on the coupon payment date.

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A8: What do Moody's and Standard and Poor's credit ratings represent?

They refer to the ability of the bond issuer to repay the value and interest to bondholders. Moody's and Standard and Poor's are the best known international credit rating agencies. Ratings are assigned based on the bond issuer's financial strength and past record of debt repayment. In general, the higher the credit rating, the lower the risk of default and the interest offered.

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A9: What are the service charges for trading bonds?

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A1: How can I place an order?

Simply call (852) 2233 3322. Speak to us after keying in your account number and PIN.

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A2: What information do I need to provide to place an order?

The basic information required is the stock name, stock market, order size, your price limit and settlement currency. It is worth paying attention to the stock name. Using the full stock name in your order will ensure no misunderstanding on which stock to trade, as some stocks may have similar names. If in doubt, we will be happy to assist you based on your description of the abbreviated name, the nature of business and the latest closing price.

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A3: What order types are offered?

We accept limit price orders. Orders placed will be valid for the same day until the respective market closes. You can place orders with us anytime. Orders received after the trading hours of the respective market will be processed on the next trading day.

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A4: What are the trading hours of the five overseas markets?

The following table shows the Hong Kong time for trading hours in each of the overseas markets:

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A5: When will my account be debited for stock purchase?

Upon order placement (trade day), the purchase amount will be held on HKD/USD account. The actual debit of the money will take place on the settlement day (ie, T+3). Money held between the placement day and the settlement day will continue to earn interest in your account. In case the settlement day is a Hong Kong public holiday, the actual debit of the money will take place on the last working day before the settlement day.
If you choose to settle in USD and need to transfer sufficient funds into your USD settlement account, please do so before 7 p.m. Hong Kong time. We will be pleased to help you.

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A6: How soon can I sell my stocks, and when will I receive the money from selling stocks?

Stocks can be sold once settlement is completed (ie, T+3). The sales proceeds will be credited to your account three days after the sales execution (ie, T+3).

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A7: Can I trade my overseas securities during Hong Kong public holidays?

Trading will be available if overseas stock markets are open. We will be there to take your orders and answer your queries during Hong Kong public holidays.

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A1: What are the key benefits of the Stocks Monthly Investment Plan?

You can

• participate in the equity market even with limited capital
• reduce investment risk by using Dollar Cost Averaging
• enjoy potentially higher return than general deposits as a medium-to long-term investment
• meet your targeted investment needs

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A2: What is meant by Dollar Cost Averaging?

Dollar Cost Averaging refers to the buying of securities at scheduled intervals, irrespective of the dollar amount, whether the stock price is rising or falling. When the share price is low, more shares can be bought and vice versa. At such, the average cost will be less than the average of the price paid. The risk arising from short-term market fluctuations will be reduced as a result.

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A3: How does the Stocks Monthly Investment Plan work?

Your investment amount will be debited from your designated account on the 8th of each month (the "Specified Date"). For debit through an account with the Bank, the amount will be debited on the preceding business day if the Specified Date is a non business day.

The Bank will start to purchase shares on behalf of all SMIP customers at the market price at 11am on the transaction date (3rd trading day after the debit date). The average price of all purchases will be used and any surplus funds will be credited to your account two business days after the transaction date. The purchased stocks will be deposited into your investment services or securities account on the settlement date (2nd trading day after the transaction date).

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A4: Is there a minimum investment period?

There is no minimum investment period. Your chosen stocks will be purchased and deposited into your securities account on a monthly basis, after settlement of which you can sell the shares anytime to capture the profit or meet emergency needs. You also have the flexibility to suspend or stop your contribution as needed.
However, you are recommended to treat it as a medium-to long-term investment as you will be able to enjoy higher growth potential of the stocks over time without having to worry about any short-term market fluctuations.

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A5: How can I set up a Stocks Monthly Investment Plan with HSBC?

Apply now at HSBC Internet Banking, or Simply visit any HSBC branch in Hong Kong to set up the Stocks Monthly Investment Plan. Please note that it takes five business days (excluding Saturday) to set up the Plan.

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A1: Are they very expensive?

You can start up a unit trust for the price of a dinner for two, and you can make a monthly minimum contribution of as little as HKD1,000.

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A2: Can I get easy access to my investment?

Unit trusts are very flexible and you can buy and sell unit trusts on any (dealing) day. Your proceeds can take as little as seven working days to access.

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A3: Do I have to make a lump sum investment?

You don't need to make a large lump sum investment. We can also offer you a monthly investment plan where no initial lump sum is required and the monthly contribution is only HKD1,000.

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A4: Are they high risk?

Unit trusts obviously have an element of risk but less so than direct investment on the stock market. Risk is comparatively lower because it may be spread over a number of years, a variety of commodities, currencies or countries - you are spreading the risk.

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A5: Are the returns low?

Because unit trusts are comparatively low-risk investment, they therefore can offer lower rates of return in comparison to high-risk direct investments. However, over the long-term, your overall returns is more stable making them a perfect long-term investment.

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A6: Are they difficult to monitor?

Professional fund managers do this for you, so you don't have to monitor them on a daily basis. They have access to information and research statistics from economists and analysts around the world, and keep you updated of major changes.

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A7: Are the commission fees high?

Unit trust fees are actually much lower than if you were to set up an individual fund or investment. This is due to economies of scale. As a large number of investors are involved in a fund the fee cost is therefore shared and thus reduced.

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A8: Are they similar to a pension?

People subscribe to unit trusts for a variety of investment reasons. Some people do use them to mature in the long-term as an additional income source on retirement.

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A1: What is an IPO?

IPO stands for Initial Public Offering. It is the first time a company issues securities/bonds to investors. The newly issued securities/bonds may be listed on a stock exchange.

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A2: What are the risks associated with IPOs?

Over-subscribing to an IPO
In some cases, IPOs may be oversubscribed. The company may go through a balloting/allocation process to determine whether an investor will receive any securities and if so, in what quantity. An investor may be tempted to subscribe for a greater quantity than he intended to, believing that he will not receive the full amount in case of over-subscription. However if the IPO is not oversubscribed, the investor will receive all the quantity applied for and will have to pay the full cost.

Market risk
There is a risk that the company's share price will drop below its initial IPO price, once the company's securities/bonds trading (on the stock market or otherwise) commences. Securities/bond/ prices will fluctuate over time.

Company risk
It is vital to understand the company and the business you are investing in. Thoroughly study the prospectus, financial reports and even seek professional advice before you make investment decisions. For more information on investing, visit our Investment Services.

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A3: What is HSBC IPO Nominees Services?

It is a service open for HSBC Investment Services/Securities account holders to subscribe for newly listed/issued securities/bonds/certificates of deposits in IPO in HSBC Nominee's name. Customers can click on www.hsbc.com.hk and follow the links to fill in the IPO application form and choose the settlement account from any of their HSBC accounts.

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A4: What are the benefits of applying with HSBC IPO Nominees Services ?

HSBC would like to provide you with the greatest convenience. If you choose to apply for securities with HSBC IPO Nominees Services (to do so, you must maintain an Investment Services/Securities account with HSBC), we will help you through with the whole application process, and you may enjoy the following benefits:

• Payment Convenience - you can choose to pay the application money from any of your HSBC account and we will directly debit your account, saving much of your time in payment arrangement.
• Earliest Availability - your allotted securities/bonds/certificates of deposit will be directly credited into your Investment Services/Securities account on the first listing/issue day, which will allow you to take immediate actions according to market conditions.
• Refund Convenience - any refund of the application money will be directly credited to your payment account.

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Yes, to apply through HSBC IPO Nominees Services, you need to maintain an Investment Services/ Securities account with the Bank. The securities/bonds/certificates of deposit allotted will be directly deposited into the Investment Services/Securities account with the Bank. Unless otherwise specified, there will be a handling charge of HKD50 for every stock IPO application through HSBC Internet Banking. The handling charge will be HKD100 if the stock IPO application is through our designated branches or IPO service hotline on (852) 2269 2121. For bond and certificates of deposit IPOs, there will be a handling fee of 0.15% on the subscription amount. There may also be other charges in respect of individual IPO. Please refer to the details of respective IPO at the eIPO Centre.

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With HSBC IPO Nominees Services, you can choose to debit the application money from any of your HSBC savings or current accounts.
There is no payment limit as long as you have deposited enough money for the application in your chosen settlement account. However, you should ensure that there are sufficient funds in the account to cover the full subscription cost no later than 12 midnight on the day which is one business day prior to the closing date of the public offer period, otherwise, your IPO application will be cancelled accordingly.

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A7: Is online IPO application available 24 hours a day?

Yes, it is a round-the-clock service and you can submit your application online for the particular IPO anytime within the specified HSBC IPO Nominees Services offering period.

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A8: How do I know if whether my application has been successfully submitted?

You can check your chosen settlement account on the IPO closing date, since application money will only be debited if the application has been successfully submitted.

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A9: Can I amend or cancel my application?

No, once you submit the eIPO application, we will start processing it and you cannot amend or cancel your application.

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A10: How do I know if my application is successful or not?

For successful applications, newly allotted securities/bonds/certificates of deposit will be credited into your Investment Services/Securities on the Issue Date. You can then take immediate action according to market conditions.

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A11: How will I be refunded should my application be partially successful or wholly unsuccessful?

For partially successful and wholly unsuccessful applications, the application money (or part thereof) will be credited back directly to your chosen settlement account within the days specified in the respective Prospectus/Offering Memorandum.

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