The information in this preliminary
pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. We may not deliver these notes until a final pricing supplement is delivered.
This preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus, product supplement and index supplement do not constitute
an offer to sell these notes and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these notes in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
Subject
to Completion, Preliminary Pricing Supplement dated August 27, 2015
PROSPECTUS Dated November 19, 2014 |
Pricing Supplement No. 504 to |
PRODUCT SUPPLEMENT Dated November 19, 2014 |
Registration Statement No. 333-200365 |
INDEX SUPPLEMENT Dated November 19, 2014 |
Dated August , 2015 |
|
Rule 424(b)(2) |
STRUCTURED
INVESTMENTS
Opportunities
in International Equities |
$
Leveraged Buffered MSCI EAFE®
Index-Linked Notes due August , 2017 to November , 2017
Principal at Risk Securities
The notes will not bear interest.
The amount that you will be paid on your notes on the stated maturity date (expected to be the third scheduled business day after
the determination date) is based on the performance of the MSCI EAFE® Index as measured from the trade date to and
including the determination date (expected to be between 23 and 26 months after the trade date). If the final underlier level on
the determination date is greater than the initial underlier level (set on the trade date and may be higher or lower than the actual
closing level of the underlier on the trade date), the return on your notes will be positive, subject to the maximum settlement
amount (expected to be between $1,238.00 and $1,280.00 for each $1,000 face amount of your notes). If the underlier declines by
up to 15.00% from the initial underlier level, you will receive the face amount of your notes. However, if the underlier
declines by more than 15.00% from the initial underlier level, the return on your notes will be negative. You could lose your entire
investment in the notes. The notes are notes issued as part of Morgan Stanley’s Series
F Global Medium-Term Notes program.
All payments are subject
to the credit risk of Morgan Stanley. If Morgan Stanley defaults on its obligations, you could lose some or all of your investment.
These notes are not secured obligations and you will not have any security interest in, or otherwise have any access to, any underlying
reference asset or assets.
To determine
your payment at maturity, we will calculate the underlier return, which is the percentage increase or decrease in the closing level
from the initial underlier level to the final underlier level. On the stated maturity date, for each $1,000 face amount of your
notes, you will receive an amount in cash equal to:
| ● | if the underlier return is positive (the final underlier level is greater than the initial underlier level),
the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) 140% times (c) the underlier
return, subject to the maximum settlement amount; |
| ● | if the underlier return is zero or negative but not below -15.00% (the final underlier level is
equal to or less than the initial underlier level but not by more than 15.00%), $1,000; or |
| ● | if the underlier return is negative and is below -15.00% (the final underlier level is less than
the initial underlier level by more than 15.00%), the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) approximately
1.1765 times (b) the sum of the underlier return plus 15.00% times (c) $1,000. |
Under these circumstances, you will lose some or all
of your investment.
You should read the additional disclosure herein so that you
may better understand the terms and risks of your investment.
The estimated value on the trade date will be approximately
$981.00 per note, or within $10.00 of that estimate. See “Estimated Value” on page 2.
|
Price
to public |
Agent’s
commissions(1) |
Proceeds
to issuer(2) |
Per note |
$1,000 |
$0 |
$1,000 |
Total |
$ |
$ |
$ |
(1) Morgan Stanley &
Co. LLC (“MS & Co.”) will sell all of the notes that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated dealer at the original
issue price of 100.00%, or $1,000 per face amount of notes. Such dealer will sell the notes to investors at the same price without
a discount or commission. Investors that purchase and hold the notes in fee-based accounts may be charged fees based on the amount
of assets held in those accounts, including the notes. For more information see “Summary Information—Supplemental information
regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest.”
(2) See “Summary Information—Use
of proceeds and hedging” beginning on page 5.
The notes involve risks not
associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12.
The Securities and Exchange
Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these notes, or determined if this document or the
accompanying product supplement, index supplement and prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.
The notes are not bank deposits
and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, nor are they obligations of,
or guaranteed by, a bank.
You should read this document
together with the related product supplement, index supplement and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks
below. Please also see “Key Terms” on page 3.
MORGAN
STANLEY
About Your Prospectus
The notes are notes issued as part of Morgan Stanley’s
Series F Global Medium-Term Notes program. This prospectus includes this preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying documents
listed below. This preliminary pricing supplement constitutes a supplement to the documents listed below and should be read in
conjunction with such documents:
The information in this preliminary pricing supplement supersedes
any conflicting information in the documents listed above. In addition, some of the terms or features described in the listed documents
may not apply to your notes.
ESTIMATED VALUE
The Original Issue Price of each note is $1,000. This price includes
costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the notes, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated
value of the notes on the Trade Date will be less than $1,000. We estimate that the value of each note on the Trade Date will be
approximately $981.00, or within $10.00 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the notes as determined on the Trade Date
will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.
What goes into the estimated value on the Trade Date?
In valuing the notes on the Trade Date, we take into account
that the notes comprise both a debt component and a performance-based component linked to the Underlier. The estimated value of
the notes is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the Underlier, instruments
based on the Underlier, volatility and other factors including current and expected interest rates, as well as an interest rate
related to our secondary market credit spread, which is the implied interest rate at which our conventional fixed rate debt trades
in the secondary market.
What determines the economic terms of the notes?
In determining the economic terms of the notes, including the
Upside Participation Rate, the Cap Level, the Maximum Settlement Amount and the Buffer Amount, we use an internal funding rate,
which is likely to be lower than our secondary market credit spreads and therefore advantageous to us. If the issuing, selling,
structuring and hedging costs borne by you were lower or if the internal funding rate were higher, one or more of the economic
terms of the notes would be more favorable to you.
What is the relationship between the estimated value on the
Trade Date and the secondary market price of the notes?
The price at which MS & Co. purchases the notes in the secondary
market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the Underlier, may vary from, and be lower than, the estimated
value on the Trade Date, because the secondary market price takes into account our secondary market credit spread as well as the
bid-offer spread that MS & Co. would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type and other factors. However, because
the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the notes are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period
of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the notes in the secondary market,
absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the Underlier, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would
do so based on values higher than the estimated value. We expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage
account statements.
MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the
notes, and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time.
SUMMARY
INFORMATION
The Leveraged Buffered MSCI EAFE®
Index-Linked Notes, which we refer to as the notes, are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley, will pay no interest, do not guarantee
any return of principal at maturity and have the terms described in the accompanying product supplement, index supplement and prospectus,
as supplemented or modified by this document. The notes are notes issued as part of Morgan Stanley’s Series F Global Medium-Term
Notes program.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in the accompanying product supplement and prospectus. All references to “Buffer Rate,” “Cash
Settlement Amount,” “Closing Level,” “Determination Date,” “Face Amount,” “Final
Underlier Level,” “Initial Underlier Level,” “Maximum Settlement Amount,” “Original Issue Price,”
“Stated Maturity Date,” “Trade Date,” “Underlier,” “Underlier Return” and “Upside
Participation Rate” herein shall be deemed to refer to “downside factor,” “payment at maturity,”
“index closing value,” “valuation date,” “stated principal amount,” “final index value,”
“initial index value,” “maximum payment at maturity,” “issue price,” “maturity date,”
“pricing date,” “underlying index,” “index return” and “leverage factor,” respectively,
as used in the accompanying product supplement. All references to “Underlier” shall be deemed to refer to “underlying
index” as used in the accompanying product supplement.
If the terms described herein are inconsistent with those
described in the accompanying product supplement or prospectus, the terms described herein shall control.
Key Terms
Issuer: Morgan Stanley
Underlier: MSCI EAFE®
Index
Underlier Publisher: MSCI Inc.
Notes: The accompanying product supplement refers to the
notes as the “PLUS.”
Specified currency: U.S. dollars (“$”)
Face Amount: Each note will have a Face Amount of $1,000;
$ in the aggregate for all the notes; the aggregate Face Amount of notes may be increased if the Issuer, at its sole option, decides
to sell an additional amount of the notes on a date subsequent to the date hereof.
Denominations: $1,000
and integral multiples thereof
Purchase at amount other
than Face Amount: The amount we will pay you on the Stated Maturity Date for your notes will
not be adjusted based on the issue price you pay for your notes, so if you acquire notes at a premium (or discount) to the Face
Amount and hold them to the Stated Maturity Date, it could affect your investment in a number of ways. The return on your investment
in such notes will be lower (or higher) than it would have been had you purchased the notes at the Face Amount. Also, the Buffer
Level would not offer the same measure of protection to your investment as would be the case if you had purchased the notes at
the Face Amount. Additionally, the Cap Level would be triggered at a lower (or higher) percentage return than indicated below,
relative to your initial investment. See “Risk Factors—If You Purchase Your Notes At A Premium To The Face Amount,
The Return On Your Investment Will Be Lower Than The Return On Notes Purchased At The Face Amount, And The Impact Of Certain Key
Terms Of The Notes Will Be Negatively Affected” beginning on page 13 of this document.
Cash Settlement Amount (on the Stated Maturity Date): For
each $1,000 Face Amount of notes, we will pay you on the Stated Maturity Date an amount in cash equal to:
| · | if the Final Underlier Level is greater than or equal to the Cap Level, the Maximum Settlement Amount; |
| · | if the Final Underlier Level is greater than the Initial Underlier Level but less than the Cap Level, the sum
of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the Upside Participation Rate times
(c) the Underlier Return; |
| · | if the Final Underlier Level is equal to or less than the Initial Underlier Level but greater than or
equal to the Buffer Level, $1,000; or |
| · | if the Final Underlier Level is less than the Buffer Level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the
product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the Buffer Rate times (c) the sum of the Underlier Return
and the Buffer Amount. You will lose some or all of
your investment at maturity if the Final Underlier Level is less than the Buffer Level. Any payment of the Cash Settlement Amount
is subject to the credit of the Issuer. |
Initial Underlier Level: To be determined on the Trade
Date. The Initial Underlier Level may be higher or lower than the actual Closing Level of the Underlier on the Trade Date; provided
that the Initial Underlier Level will not be higher than the highest level of the Underlier on the Trade Date.
Final Underlier Level: The Closing Level of the Underlier
on the Determination Date, except in the limited circumstances described under “Description of PLUS—Postponement of
Valuation Date(s)” on page S-42 of the accompanying product supplement, and subject to adjustment as provided under “Description
of PLUS—Discontinuance of Any Underlying Index or Basket Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” on page S-44 of
the accompanying product supplement.
Underlier Return: The quotient of (i) the
Final Underlier Level minus the Initial Underlier Level divided by (ii) the Initial Underlier Level, expressed as
a percentage
Upside Participation Rate: 140%
Cap Level (to be set on the Trade Date): Expected to be
between 117.00% and 120.00% of the Initial Underlier Level
Maximum Settlement Amount (to be set on the Trade Date):
Expected to be between $1,238.00 and $1,280.00
for each $1,000 Face Amount of notes
Buffer Level: 85% of the Initial Underlier Level
Buffer Amount: 15%
Buffer Rate: The quotient of the Initial Underlier
Level divided by the Buffer Level, which equals approximately 117.65%
Trade Date: August , 2015
Original Issue Date (Settlement Date) (to be set on the Trade
Date): September , 2015 (5 Business Days after the Trade Date)
Determination Date (to be set on the Trade Date): Expected
to be between August , 2017 and November , 2017, subject to postponement as described in the accompanying product supplement
on page S-42 under “Description of PLUS—Postponement of Valuation Date(s).”
Stated Maturity Date (to be set on the Trade Date): Expected
to be between August , 2017 and November , 2017 (3 Business Days after the Determination Date), subject to postponement as described
below. The Stated Maturity Date is a pricing term and will be determined by us on the Trade Date.
Postponement of Stated Maturity Date: If the scheduled
Determination Date is not a Trading Day or if a market disruption event occurs on that day so that the Determination Date as postponed
falls less than two Business Days prior to the scheduled Stated Maturity Date, the Maturity Date of the notes will be postponed
to the second Business Day following that Determination Date as postponed.
No interest or dividends: The notes will not pay interest
or dividends.
No listing: The notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange.
No redemption: The notes will not be subject to any redemption
right.
Closing Level: As described under “Description of
PLUS—Some Definitions—index closing value” on page S-35 of the accompanying product supplement
Business Day: As described under “Description of
PLUS—Some Definitions—business day” on page S-34 of the accompanying product supplement
Trading Day: The accompanying product supplement refers
to a Trading Day as an “index business day.” Notwithstanding the definition of “index business day” on
page S-34 of the accompanying product supplement, Trading Day means a day on which the Underlier is calculated and published by
the
Underlier Publisher, regardless of whether one or more of the
principal securities markets for the stocks composing the Underlier are closed on that day.
Market disruption event: The following replaces in its
entirety the section entitled “Description of PLUS—Some Definitions—market disruption event” on page S-35
of the accompanying product supplement:
“Market disruption event” means, with respect to
the Underlier:
(i) the occurrence or existence of:
| (a) | a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading of securities then constituting 20 percent or more, by weight, of the
Underlier (or the successor index) on the relevant exchanges for such securities for more than two hours of trading or during the
one-half hour period preceding the close of the principal trading session on such relevant exchange, or |
| (b) | a breakdown or failure in the price and trade reporting systems of any relevant exchange as a result of which the reported
trading prices for securities then constituting 20 percent or more, by weight, of the Underlier (or the successor index), or futures
or options contracts, if available, relating to the Underlier (or the successor index) or the securities then constituting 20 percent
or more, by weight, of the Underlier during the last one-half hour preceding the close of the principal trading session on such
relevant exchange are materially inaccurate, or |
| (c) | the suspension, material limitation or absence of trading on any major U.S. securities market for trading in futures or options
contracts or exchange-traded funds related to the Underlier (or the successor index), or in futures or options contracts, if available,
relating to securities then constituting 20 percent or more, by weight, of the Underlier (or the successor index) for more than
two hours of trading or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of the principal trading session on such market, |
in each case as determined by the calculation agent in its sole
discretion; and
(ii) a determination by the calculation agent in its sole discretion
that any event described in clause (i) above materially interfered with our ability or the ability of any of our affiliates to
unwind or adjust all or a material portion of the hedge position with respect to the notes.
For the purpose of determining whether a market disruption event
has occurred: (1) a limitation on the hours or number of days of trading will not constitute a market disruption event if it results
from an announced change in the regular business hours of the relevant exchange or market, (2) a decision to permanently discontinue
trading in the relevant futures or options contract or exchange-traded fund will not constitute a market disruption event, (3)
a suspension of trading in futures or options contracts or exchange-traded funds on the Underlier, or futures or options contracts,
if available, relating to securities then constituting 20 percent or more, by weight, of the Underlier, by the primary securities
market trading in such contracts or funds by reason of (a) a price change exceeding limits set by such securities exchange or market,
(b) an imbalance of orders relating to such contracts or funds, or (c) a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to such contracts
or funds will constitute a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in futures or options contracts or exchange-traded
funds related to the Underlier and (4) a “suspension, absence or material limitation of trading” on any relevant exchange
or on the primary market on which futures or options contracts or exchange-traded funds related to the Underlier are traded will
not include any time when such securities market is itself closed for trading under ordinary circumstances.
Use of proceeds and hedging: The proceeds we receive from
the sale of the notes will be used for general corporate purposes. We will receive, in aggregate, $1,000 per note issued. The costs
of the notes borne by you and described on page 2 comprise the cost of issuing, structuring and hedging the notes.
On or prior to the Trade Date, we will hedge our anticipated
exposure in connection with the notes, by entering into hedging transactions with our subsidiaries and/or third party dealers.
We expect our hedging counterparties to take positions in stocks of the Underlier, futures and options contracts on the Underlier,
and any component stocks of the Underlier listed on major securities markets or positions in
any other available securities or instruments that they may wish
to use in connection with such hedging. Such purchase activity could increase the level of the Underlier on the Trade Date, and
therefore increase the level at or above which the Underlier must close on the Determination Date so that investors do not suffer
a loss on their initial investment in the notes. In addition, through our subsidiaries, we are likely to modify our hedge position
throughout the life of the notes, including on the Determination Date, by purchasing and selling the stocks constituting the Underlier,
futures or options contracts on the Underlier or its component stocks listed on major securities markets or positions in any other
available securities or instruments that we may wish to use in connection with such hedging activities. As a result, these entities
may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the notes, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more
frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the Determination Date approaches. We cannot give any assurance that our hedging activities
will not affect the level of the Underlier, and, therefore, adversely affect the value of the notes or the payment you will receive
at maturity, if any. For further information on our use of proceeds and hedging, see “Use of Proceeds and Hedging”
in the accompanying product supplement.
Benefit Plan Investor Considerations: Each fiduciary of
a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”) (a “Plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the Plan’s
particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the notes. Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should
consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with
the documents and instruments governing the Plan.
In addition, we and certain of our subsidiaries and affiliates,
including MS & Co., may be considered a “party in interest” within the meaning of ERISA, or a “disqualified
person” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), with respect to many
Plans, as well as many individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans (also “Plans”). ERISA Section 406 and Code Section
4975 generally prohibit transactions between Plans and parties in interest or disqualified persons. Prohibited transactions within
the meaning of ERISA or the Code would likely arise, for example, if the notes are acquired by or with the assets of a Plan with
respect to which MS & Co. or any of its affiliates is a service provider or other party in interest, unless the notes are acquired
pursuant to an exemption from the “prohibited transaction” rules. A violation of these “prohibited transaction”
rules could result in an excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for such persons, unless exemptive
relief is available under an applicable statutory or administrative exemption.
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued five prohibited transaction
class exemptions (“PTCEs”) that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting
from the purchase or holding of the notes. Those class exemptions are PTCE 96-23 (for certain transactions determined by in-house
asset managers), PTCE 95-60 (for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions
involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance company separate accounts)
and PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers). In addition, ERISA Section
408(b)(17) and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code may provide an exemption for the purchase and sale of securities and the related
lending transactions, provided that neither the Issuer of the notes nor any of its affiliates has or exercises any discretionary
authority or control or renders any investment advice with respect to the assets of the Plan involved in the transaction and provided
further that the Plan pays no more, and receives no less, than “adequate consideration” in connection with the transaction
(the so-called “service provider” exemption). There can be no assurance that any of these class or statutory exemptions
will be available with respect to transactions involving the notes.
Because we may be considered a party in interest with respect
to many Plans, the notes may not be purchased, held or disposed of by any Plan, any entity whose underlying assets include “plan
assets” by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity (a “Plan Asset Entity”) or any person investing
“plan assets” of any Plan, unless such purchase, holding or disposition is eligible for exemptive relief, including
relief available under PTCEs 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1, 84-14 or the service provider exemption or such purchase, holding or disposition
is otherwise not prohibited. Any purchaser, including any fiduciary purchasing on behalf of a Plan, transferee or holder of the
notes will be deemed to have represented, in its corporate and its fiduciary capacity, by its purchase and holding of the notes
that either (a) it is not a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity and is not purchasing such notes on behalf of or with “plan assets”
of any Plan or with any assets of a governmental, non-U.S. or church plan that is subject to any federal, state, local or
non-U.S. law that is substantially similar to the provisions
of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (“Similar Law”) or (b) its purchase, holding and disposition are
eligible for exemptive relief or such purchase, holding and disposition are not prohibited by ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code
or any Similar Law.
Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may
be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other
persons considering purchasing the notes on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan consult with their counsel
regarding the availability of exemptive relief.
The notes are contractual financial instruments. The financial
exposure provided by the notes is not a substitute or proxy for, and is not intended as a substitute or proxy for, individualized
investment management or advice for the benefit of any purchaser or holder of the notes. The notes have not been designed and will
not be administered in a manner intended to reflect the individualized needs and objectives of any purchaser or holder of the notes.
Each purchaser or holder of any notes acknowledges and agrees
that:
| (i) | the purchaser or holder or its fiduciary has made and shall make all investment decisions for the purchaser or holder and the
purchaser or holder has not relied and shall not rely in any way upon us or our affiliates to act as a fiduciary or adviser of
the purchaser or holder with respect to (A) the design and terms of the notes, (B) the purchaser or holder’s investment in
the notes, or (C) the exercise of or failure to exercise any rights we have under or with respect to the notes; |
| (ii) | we and our affiliates have acted and will act solely for our own account in connection with (A) all transactions relating to
the notes and (B) all hedging transactions in connection with our obligations under the notes; |
| (iii) | any and all assets and positions relating to hedging transactions by us or our affiliates are assets and positions of those
entities and are not assets and positions held for the benefit of the purchaser or holder; |
| (iv) | our interests are adverse to the interests of the purchaser or holder; and |
| (v) | neither we nor any of our affiliates is a fiduciary or adviser of the purchaser or holder in connection with any such assets,
positions or transactions, and any information that we or any of our affiliates may provide is not intended to be impartial investment
advice. |
Each purchaser and holder of the notes has exclusive responsibility
for ensuring that its purchase, holding and disposition of the notes do not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or
the Code or any Similar Law. The sale of any notes to any Plan or plan subject to Similar Law is in no respect a representation
by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to
investments by plans generally or any particular plan, or that such an investment is appropriate for plans generally or any particular
plan.
However, individual retirement accounts, individual retirement
annuities and Keogh plans, as well as employee benefit plans that permit participants to direct the investment of their accounts,
will not be permitted to purchase or hold the notes if the account, plan or annuity is for the benefit of an employee of Morgan
Stanley or Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or a family member and the employee receives any compensation (such as, for example,
an addition to bonus) based on the purchase of the notes by the account, plan or annuity.
Additional considerations: Client accounts over which
Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or any of their respective subsidiaries have investment discretion are not permitted
to purchase the notes, either directly or indirectly.
Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts
of interest: MS & Co., acting as agent for Morgan Stanley, will sell all of the notes that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated
dealer at the original issue price of 100.00%, or $1,000 per Face Amount of notes. Such dealer will sell the notes to investors
at the same price without a discount or commission. MS & Co., the agent for this offering, is our affiliate. Because MS &
Co. is both our affiliate and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), the underwriting
arrangements for this offering must comply with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121 regarding a FINRA member firm’s distribution
of the securities of an
affiliate and related conflicts of interest. In accordance with
FINRA Rule 5121, MS & Co. may not make sales in offerings of the notes to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior
written approval of the customer.
MS & Co. is our wholly-owned subsidiary and it and other
subsidiaries of ours expect to make a profit by selling, structuring and, when applicable, hedging the notes. When MS & Co.
prices this offering of notes, it will determine the economic terms of the notes, including the Cap Level and the Maximum
Settlement Amount, such that for each note the estimated value on the Trade Date will be no lower than the minimum level
described in “Estimated Value” on page 2.
MS & Co. will conduct this offering in compliance with the
requirements of FINRA Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., which is commonly referred to as FINRA, regarding
a FINRA member firm’s distribution of the notes of an affiliate and related conflicts of interest. MS & Co. or any of
our other affiliates may not make sales in this offering to any discretionary account. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts
of Interest)” and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement.
Settlement: We expect to deliver the notes against payment
for the notes on the Original Issue Date, which will be the fifth scheduled Business Day following the Trade Date. Under Rule 15c6-1
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three Business
Days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the Original Issue Date is more than three Business
Days after the Trade Date, purchasers who wish to transact in the notes more than three Business Days prior to the Original Issue
Date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
Trustee: The Bank of New York Mellon
Calculation Agent: MS & Co.
CUSIP no.: 61761JH44
ISIN: US61761JH447
HYPOTHETICAL
EXAMPLES
The following table and
chart are provided for purposes of illustration only. They should not be taken as an indication or prediction of future investment
results and are intended merely to illustrate the impact that the various hypothetical Closing Levels of the Underlier on the Determination
Date could have on the Cash Settlement Amount.
The examples below are
based on a range of Final Underlier Levels that are entirely hypothetical; no one can predict what the level of the Underlier will
be on any day during the term of the notes, and no one can predict what the Final Underlier Level will be on the Determination
Date. The Underlier has at times experienced periods of high volatility — meaning that the level of the Underlier has changed
considerably in relatively short periods — and its performance cannot be predicted for any future period.
The information in the
following examples reflects hypothetical rates of return on the notes assuming that they are purchased on the Trade Date at the
Face Amount and held to the Stated Maturity Date. The value of the notes at any time after the Trade Date will vary based on many
economic and market factors, including interest rates, the volatility of the Underlier, our creditworthiness and changes in market
conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. Any sale prior to the Stated Maturity Date could result in a substantial loss
to you.
Key
Terms and Assumptions |
|
Face
Amount: |
$1,000 |
Upside
Participation Rate: |
140.00% |
Hypothetical
Cap Level: |
118.50% of the Initial Underlier Level |
Hypothetical
Maximum Settlement Amount: |
$1,259.00 per $1,000 Face Amount of notes (125.900% of the Face Amount)
(the midpoint of the expected range set forth on the cover of this pricing supplement) |
Minimum
Cash Settlement Amount: |
None |
Buffer
Level: |
85% of the Initial Underlier Level |
Buffer
Rate: |
Approximately 117.65% |
Buffer
Amount: |
15.00% |
· Neither
a market disruption event nor a non-Trading Day occurs on the Determination Date.
· No
discontinuation of the Underlier or alteration of the method by which the Underlier is calculated.
· Notes
purchased on the Original Issue Date at the Face Amount and held to the Stated Maturity Date. |
Moreover, we have not yet set the Initial Underlier Level that
will serve as the baseline for determining the Underlier Return and the amount that we will pay on the notes, if any, at maturity.
We will not do so until the Trade Date. As a result, the actual Initial Underlier Level may differ substantially from the level
of the Underlier at any time prior to the Trade Date.
For these reasons,
the actual performance of the Underlier over the term of the notes, as well as the Cash Settlement Amount, if any, may bear little
relation to the hypothetical examples shown below or to the historical levels of the Underlier shown elsewhere in this document.
For information about the historical levels of the Underlier during recent periods, see “The Underlier” below.
The levels in the left column of the table below represent hypothetical
Final Underlier Levels and are expressed as percentages of the Initial Underlier Level. The amounts in the right column represent
the hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount, based on the corresponding hypothetical Final Underlier Level (expressed as a percentage
of the Initial Underlier Level), and are expressed as percentages of the Face Amount of notes (rounded to the nearest one-thousandth
of a percent). Thus, a hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount of 100% means that the value of the cash payment that we would deliver
for each $1,000 Face Amount of notes on the Stated Maturity Date would equal 100% of the Face Amount of
notes, based on the corresponding hypothetical Final Underlier
Level (expressed as a percentage of the Initial Underlier Level) and the assumptions noted above. The numbers appearing in the
table and chart below may have been rounded for ease of analysis.
Hypothetical Final Underlier Level |
Hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount |
(as Percentage of Initial Underlier Level) |
(as Percentage of Face Amount) |
200.000% |
125.900% |
175.000% |
125.900% |
150.000% |
125.900% |
125.000% |
125.900% |
120.000% |
125.900% |
118.500% |
125.900% |
115.000% |
121.000% |
110.000% |
114.000% |
105.000% |
107.000% |
100.000% |
100.000% |
95.000% |
100.000% |
90.000% |
100.000% |
85.000% |
100.000% |
80.000% |
94.118% |
75.000% |
88.235% |
50.000% |
58.824% |
25.000% |
29.412% |
0.000% |
0.000% |
If, for example, the Final Underlier Level were determined to
be 25.000% of the Initial Underlier Level, the Cash Settlement Amount would be approximately 29.412% of the Face Amount of notes,
as shown in the table above. As a result, if you purchased your notes on the Original Issue Date at the Face Amount and held them
to the Stated Maturity Date, you would lose approximately 70.588% of your investment. If you purchased your notes at a premium
to the Face Amount, you would lose a correspondingly higher percentage of your investment.
If the Final Underlier Level were determined to be 150.000% of
the Initial Underlier Level, the Cash Settlement Amount would be capped at the Maximum Settlement Amount (expressed as a percentage
of the Face Amount), or 125.900% of each $1,000 Face Amount of notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you purchased
the notes on the Original Issue Date at the Face Amount and held them to the Stated Maturity Date, you would not benefit from any
increase in the Final Underlier Level above the Hypothetical Cap Level of 118.500% of the Initial Underlier Level.
Payoff Diagram
The following chart shows a graphical illustration of the hypothetical
Cash Settlement Amount (expressed as a percentage of the Face Amount of notes), if the Final Underlier Level (expressed as a percentage
of the Initial Underlier Level) were any of the hypothetical levels shown on the horizontal axis. The chart shows that any hypothetical
Final Underlier Level (expressed as a percentage of the Initial Underlier Level) of less than the Buffer Level of 85% (the section
left of the 85% marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount of less than 100% of the Face
Amount of notes (the section below the 100% marker on the vertical axis), and, accordingly, in a loss of principal to the holder
of the notes. The chart also shows that any hypothetical Final Underlier Level (expressed as a percentage of the Initial Underlier
Level) of greater than 118.500% (the section right of the Hypothetical Cap Level of 118.500% marker on the horizontal axis) would
result in a capped return on your investment and a Cash Settlement Amount equal to the Maximum Settlement Amount.
Hypothetical Payoff Diagram |
|
RISK
FACTORS
The following is a non-exhaustive list of certain key risk
factors for investors in the notes. For further discussion of these and other risks, you should read the section entitled “Risk
Factors” in the accompanying product supplement and prospectus. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax,
accounting and other advisers in connection with your investment in the notes.
The Notes Do Not Pay Interest Or Guarantee
The Return Of Any Of Your Principal
The terms of the notes differ from those of ordinary debt securities
in that the notes do not pay interest and do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. If the Final Underlier Level has
declined by an amount greater than the Buffer Amount of 15% from the Initial Underlier Level, you will receive for each note that
you hold a Cash Settlement Amount that is less than the Face Amount of each note by an amount proportionate to the decline in the
level of the Underlier below 85% of the Initial Underlier Level times the Buffer Rate of 117.65%. As there is no minimum Cash Settlement
Amount on the notes, you could lose your entire initial investment.
Also, the market price of your notes prior to the Stated Maturity
Date may be significantly lower than the purchase price you pay for your notes. Consequently, if you sell your notes before the
Stated Maturity Date, you may receive significantly less than the amount of your investment in the notes.
The Appreciation Potential Of The Notes
Is Limited By The Maximum Settlement Amount
The appreciation potential of the notes is limited by the Maximum
Settlement Amount of $1,238.00 to $1,280.00
per note, or 123.80% to 128.00% of the Face Amount. The actual Maximum Settlement Amount will be determined on the Trade Date.
Although the Upside Participation Rate provides 140% exposure to any increase in the Final Underlier Level over the Initial Underlier
Level, because the Cash Settlement Amount will be limited to 123.80% to 128.00% of the Face Amount for the notes, any increase
in the Final Underlier Level over the Initial Underlier Level by more than 17.00% to 20.00% of the Initial Underlier Level will
not further increase the return on the notes.
The Stated Maturity Date Of The Notes
Is A Pricing Term And Will Be Determined By Morgan Stanley On The Trade Date
We will not fix the Stated Maturity Date until the Trade Date,
and so you will not know the exact term or the Determination Date of the notes at the time that you make your investment decision.
The term could be as short as approximately 1 year and 11 months, and as long as approximately 2 years and 2 months. You should
be willing to hold your Notes for up to approximately 2 years and 2 months, and the Stated Maturity Date selected by us could have
an impact on the value of the notes. For example, if the Underlier appreciates, a note with a shorter term will result in a higher
annualized return based on that appreciation than a note with a longer term. In addition, the Underlier may be lower on the actual
Determination Date and the Cash Settlement Amount may be lower than if the Determination Date and Stated Maturity Date had been
set differently in the three-month range.
There Are Risks Associated With Investments
In Notes Linked To The Value Of Foreign Equity Securities
The notes are linked to the value of foreign equity securities.
Investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities involve risks associated with the securities markets
in those countries, including risks of volatility in those markets, governmental intervention in those markets and cross-shareholdings
in companies in certain countries. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than about
U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and foreign
companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements different from those applicable
to U.S. reporting companies. The prices of securities issued in foreign markets may be affected by political, economic, financial
and social factors in those countries, or global regions, including changes in government, economic and fiscal policies and currency
exchange laws. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases
in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of holdings difficult or impossible at times. Moreover, the economies
in such countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the economy in the
United States in such respects as growth of gross national product,
rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions.
The Level Of The Underlier Is Subject
To Currency Exchange Risk
Because the level of the Underlier is based on the U.S. dollar
value of its constituent stocks, holders of the notes will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the
currencies in which such component securities trade. Exchange rate movements for a particular currency are volatile and are the
result of numerous factors including the supply of, and the demand for, those currencies, as well as relevant government policy,
intervention or actions, but are also influenced significantly from time to time by political or economic developments, and by
macroeconomic factors and speculative actions related to the relevant region. An investor’s net exposure will depend on the
extent to which the currencies of the component securities strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar and the relative weight
of each currency. If, taking into account such weighting, the dollar strengthens against the currencies of the component securities
of the Underlier, the level of the Underlier will be adversely affected and the Cash Settlement Amount may be reduced.
Of particular importance to potential currency exchange risk
are:
| · | existing and expected rates of inflation; |
| · | existing and expected interest rate levels; |
| · | the balance of payments; and |
| · | the extent of governmental surpluses or deficits in the countries represented in the MSCI EAFE® Index and the
United States. |
All of these factors are in turn sensitive to the monetary, fiscal
and trade policies pursued by the governments of various countries represented in the Underlier, the United States and other countries
important to international trade and finance.
If You Purchase Your Notes At A Premium
To The Face Amount, The Return On Your Investment Will Be Lower Than The Return On Notes Purchased At The Face Amount, And The
Impact Of Certain Key Terms Of The Notes Will Be Negatively Affected
The Cash Settlement Amount will not be adjusted based on the
issue price you pay for the notes. If you purchase notes at a price that differs from the Face Amount of notes, then the return
on your investment in such notes held to the Stated Maturity Date will differ from, and may be substantially less than, the return
on notes purchased at the Face Amount. If you purchase your notes at a premium to the Face Amount and hold them to the Stated Maturity
Date, the return on your investment in the notes will be lower than it would have been had you purchased the notes at the Face
Amount or at a discount to the Face Amount. In addition, the impact of the Buffer Level and the Cap Level on the return on your
investment will depend upon the price you pay for your notes relative to the Face Amount. For example, if you purchase your notes
at a premium to the Face Amount, the Cap Level will reduce your potential percentage return on the notes to a greater extent than
would have been the case for notes purchased at the Face Amount or at a discount to the Face Amount. Similarly, the Buffer Level
will provide less protection of the investment amount for notes purchased at a premium to the Face Amount than for notes purchased
at the Face Amount or a discount to the Face Amount.
The Underlier Reflects The Price Return
Of The Stocks Composing The Underlier, Not A Total Return
The return on the notes is based on the performance of the Underlier,
which reflects the changes in the market prices of the stocks composing the Underlier. It is not, however, linked to a “total
return” version of the Underlier, which, in addition to reflecting those price returns, would also reflect all dividends
and other distributions paid on the stocks composing the Underlier. The return on the notes will not include such a total return
feature.
The Market Price Will Be Influenced By
Many Unpredictable Factors
Several factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence
the value of the notes in the secondary market and the price at which MS & Co. may be willing to purchase or sell the notes
in the
secondary market, including: the level of the Underlier, volatility
(frequency and magnitude of changes in value) of the Underlier and dividend yield of the Underlier, interest and yield rates, time
remaining to maturity, geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political and regulatory or judicial events that affect
the Underlier or equities markets generally and which may affect the Final Underlier Level of the Underlier and any actual or anticipated
changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads. The level of the Underlier may be, and has been, volatile, and we can give you
no assurance that the volatility will lessen. See “The Underlier” below. You may receive less, and possibly significantly
less, than the Face Amount per note if you try to sell your notes prior to maturity.
The Notes Are Subject To The Credit Risk
Of Morgan Stanley, And Any Actual Or Anticipated Changes To Its Credit Ratings Or Credit Spreads May Adversely Affect The Market
Value Of The Notes
You are dependent on Morgan Stanley’s ability to pay all
amounts due on the notes at maturity, and therefore you are subject to the credit risk of Morgan Stanley. If Morgan Stanley defaults
on its obligations under the notes, your investment would be at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment. As a result,
the market value of the notes prior to maturity will be affected by changes in the market’s view of Morgan Stanley’s
creditworthiness. Any actual or anticipated decline in Morgan Stanley’s credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads
charged by the market for taking Morgan Stanley credit risk is likely to adversely affect the market value of the notes.
The Amount Payable On The Notes Is Not
Linked To The Level Of The Underlier At Any Time Other Than The Determination Date
The Final Underlier Level will be based on the Closing Level
on the Determination Date, subject to adjustment for non-Trading Days and certain market disruption events. Even if the level of
the Underlier appreciates prior to the Determination Date but then drops by the Determination Date, the Cash Settlement Amount
may be less, and may be significantly less, than it would have been had the Cash Settlement Amount been linked to the level of
the Underlier prior to such drop. Although the actual level of the Underlier on the Stated Maturity Date or at other times during
the term of the notes may be higher than the Final Underlier Level, the Cash Settlement Amount will be based solely on the Closing
Level on the Determination Date.
Investing In The Notes Is Not Equivalent
To Investing In The Underlier
Investing in the notes is not equivalent to investing in the
Underlier or its component stocks. Investors in the notes will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions
or any other rights with respect to stocks that constitute the Underlier.
Adjustments To The Underlier Could Adversely
Affect The Value Of The Notes
The publisher of the Underlier may add, delete or substitute
the stocks constituting the Underlier or make other methodological changes that could change the level of the Underlier. The publisher
of the Underlier may discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of the Underlier at any time. In these circumstances, the
calculation agent will have the sole discretion to substitute a successor index that is comparable to the discontinued Underlier
and is permitted to consider indices that are calculated and published by the calculation agent or any of its affiliates. If the
calculation agent determines that there is no appropriate successor index, the Cash Settlement Amount on the notes will be an amount
based on the closing prices at maturity of the notes composing the Underlier at the time of such discontinuance, without rebalancing
or substitution, computed by the calculation agent in accordance with the formula for calculating the Underlier last in effect
prior to discontinuance of the Underlier.
The Rate We Are Willing To Pay For Securities
Of This Type, Maturity And Issuance Size Is Likely To Be Lower Than The Rate Implied By Our Secondary Market Credit Spreads And
Advantageous To Us. Both The Lower Rate And The Inclusion Of Costs Associated With Issuing, Selling, Structuring And Hedging The
Notes In The Original Issue Price Reduce The Economic Terms Of The Notes, Cause The Estimated Value Of The Notes To Be Less Than
The Original Issue Price And Will Adversely Affect Secondary Market Prices
Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant
factors, the prices, if any, at which dealers, including MS & Co., may be willing to purchase the notes in secondary market
transactions will likely be significantly lower than the Original Issue Price, because secondary market prices will exclude
the issuing, selling, structuring and hedging-related costs that
are included in the Original Issue Price and borne by you and because the secondary market prices will reflect our secondary market
credit spreads and the bid-offer spread that any dealer would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type as well as
other factors.
The inclusion of the costs of issuing, selling, structuring and
hedging the notes in the Original Issue Price and the lower rate we are willing to pay as issuer make the economic terms of the
notes less favorable to you than they otherwise would be.
However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling,
structuring and hedging the notes are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date,
to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the notes in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including
those related to the Underlier, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated
value, and we expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.
The Estimated Value Of The Notes Is Determined
By Reference To Our Pricing And Valuation Models, Which May Differ From Those Of Other Dealers And Is Not A Maximum Or Minimum
Secondary Market Price
These pricing and valuation models are proprietary and rely in
part on subjective views of certain market inputs and certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect.
As a result, because there is no market-standard way to value these types of securities, our models may yield a higher estimated
value of the notes than those generated by others, including other dealers in the market, if they attempted to value the notes.
In addition, the estimated value on the Trade Date does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which dealers, including MS
& Co., would be willing to purchase your notes in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your notes
at any time after the date hereof will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including our creditworthiness
and changes in market conditions. See also “The Market Price Will Be Influenced By Many Unpredictable Factors” above.
The Notes Will Not Be Listed On Any Securities
Exchange And Secondary Trading May Be Limited
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore,
there may be little or no secondary market for the notes. MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the notes
and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time. When it does make a market, it will generally do so for
transactions of routine secondary market size at prices based on its estimate of the current value of the notes, taking into account
its bid/offer spread, our credit spreads, market volatility, the notional size of the proposed sale, the cost of unwinding any
related hedging positions, the time remaining to maturity and the likelihood that it will be able to resell the notes. Even if
there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the notes easily. Since other broker-dealers
may not participate significantly in the 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 MS & Co. is willing to transact. If, at any time, MS & Co. were to cease
making a market in the notes, it is likely that there would be no secondary market for the notes. Accordingly, you should be willing
to hold your notes to maturity.
The Calculation Agent, Which Is A Subsidiary
Of The Issuer, Will Make Determinations With Respect To The Notes
As calculation agent, MS & Co. will determine the Initial
Underlier Level and the Final Underlier Level and will calculate the Cash Settlement Amount you receive at maturity, if any. Moreover,
certain determinations made by MS & Co. in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make
subjective judgments, such as with respect to the occurrence or non-occurrence of market disruption events and the selection of
a successor index or calculation of the Final Underlier Level in the event of a market disruption event or discontinuance of the
Underlier. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the Cash Settlement Amount at maturity, if any. For
further information regarding these types of determinations, see “Description of PLUS—Postponement of Valuation Date(s)”
and “—Calculation Agent and Calculations” in the accompanying product supplement. In addition, MS & Co. has
determined the estimated value of the notes on the Trade Date.
Hedging And Trading Activity By Our Subsidiaries
Could Potentially Adversely Affect The Value Of The Notes
One or more of our subsidiaries and/or third-party dealers expect
to carry out hedging activities related to the notes (and possibly to other instruments linked to the Underlier or its component
stocks), including trading in the stocks that constitute the Underlier as well as in other instruments related to the Underlier.
As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the notes, and the hedging strategy
may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the Determination Date approaches. Some of our subsidiaries
also trade the stocks that constitute the Underlier and other financial instruments related to the Underlier on a regular basis
as part of their general broker-dealer and other businesses. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Trade
Date could potentially increase the Initial Underlier Level, and, therefore, could increase the level at or above which the Underlier
must close on the Determination Date so that investors do not suffer a loss on their initial investment in the notes. Additionally,
such hedging or trading activities during the term of the notes, including on the Determination Date, could adversely affect the
level of the Underlier on the Determination Date, and, accordingly, the Cash Settlement Amount an investor will receive at maturity,
if any. Furthermore, if the dealer from which you purchase notes is to conduct trading and hedging activities for us in connection
with the notes, that dealer may profit in connection with such trading and hedging activities and such profit, if any, will be
in addition to the compensation that the dealer receives for the sale of the notes to you. You should be aware that the potential
to earn a profit in connection with hedging activities may create a further incentive for the dealer to sell the notes to you,
in addition to the compensation they would receive for the sale of the notes.
We May Sell An Additional Aggregate Face
Amount Of Notes At A Different Issue Price
At our sole option, we may decide to sell an additional aggregate
Face Amount of notes subsequent to the date hereof. The issue price of the notes in the subsequent sale may differ substantially
(higher or lower) from the issue price you paid as provided on the cover of this document.
Past Performance is No Guide to Future
Performance
The actual performance of the Underlier over the term of the
notes, as well as the amount payable at maturity, may bear little relation to the historical Closing Levels of the Underlier or
to the hypothetical return examples set forth herein. We cannot predict the future performance of the Underlier.
The U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
Of An Investment In The Notes Are Uncertain
Please read the discussion under “Tax Considerations”
in this document and the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement (together
the “Tax Disclosure Sections”) concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes. If
the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) were successful in asserting an alternative treatment, the timing and character
of income on the notes might differ significantly from the tax treatment described in the Tax Disclosure Sections. For example,
under one possible treatment, the IRS could seek to recharacterize the notes as debt instruments. In that event, U.S. Holders would
be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the notes every year at a “comparable yield” determined
at the time of issuance and recognize all income and gain in respect of the notes as ordinary income. Additionally, as discussed
under “United States Federal Taxation—FATCA Legislation” in the accompanying product supplement, the withholding
rules commonly referred to as “FATCA” would apply to the notes if they were recharacterized as debt instruments. The
risk that financial instruments providing for buffers, triggers or similar downside protection features, such as the notes, would
be recharacterized as debt is greater than the risk of recharacterization for comparable financial instruments that do not have
such features. We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS regarding the tax treatment of the notes, and the IRS or a court
may not agree with the tax treatment described in the Tax Disclosure Sections.
In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a
notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments.
The notice focuses in particular on whether to require holders of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment.
It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments;
whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange-traded
status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to
which income
(including any mandated accruals) realized by non-U.S. investors
should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership”
rule, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose an interest
charge. While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury regulations or other
guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment
in the notes, possibly with retroactive effect. Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the
U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, including possible alternative treatments, the issues presented
by this notice and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
THE UNDERLIER
The MSCI EAFE® Index is a stock index calculated,
published and disseminated by MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”). The Underlier is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index
that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada, and it
consists of the following 21 developed market countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong,
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United
Kingdom. For additional information about the MSCI EAFE® Index, see the information set forth under “MSCI
International Equity Indices—MSCI EAFE® Index” and “—MSCI Global Investable Market Indices
Methodology” in the accompanying index supplement.
MSCI has announced that, effective with the November 2015 semi-annual
index review, certain securities traded outside of their country of classification (i.e., “foreign listings”) will
become eligible for inclusion in certain MSCI Country Investable Market Indexes within the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices.
Foreign listings may become eligible to represent securities only from countries that meet the Foreign Listing Materiality Requirement.
To meet the Foreign Listing Materiality Requirement, the aggregate market capitalization of all securities represented by foreign
listings should represent at least (i) 5% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the relevant MSCI Country Investable
Market Index and (ii) 0.05% of the free-float adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index) Investable
Market Index.
Information as of market close on August 26, 2015:
Bloomberg Ticker Symbol: |
MXEA |
Current Index Value: |
1,706.17 |
52 Weeks Ago: |
1,933.40 |
52 Week High (on 5/15/2015): |
1,949.49 |
52 Week Low (on 8/24/2015): |
1,696.81 |
The following graph sets forth the daily Closing Levels of the
Underlier for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2010 through August 26, 2015. The Closing Level of the Underlier on August
26, 2015 was 1,706.17. We obtained the information in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial
Markets without independent verification. The Underlier has at times experienced periods of high volatility. The actual performance
of the Underlier over the term of the notes, as well as the amount payable at maturity, may bear little relation to the historical
Closing Levels of the Underlier or to the hypothetical return examples set forth herein. We cannot predict the future performance
of the Underlier. You should not take the historical levels of the Underlier as an indication of its future performance, and no
assurance can be given as to the Closing Level of the Underlier on the Determination Date.
MSCI EAFE® Index
Daily Underlier Closing Values
January 1, 2010 to August
26, 2015 |
|
License Agreement between MSCI and Morgan Stanley
The “MSCI EAFE® Index” is a trademark
of MSCI and has been licensed for use by Morgan Stanley. For more information, see “MSCI International Equity Indices—License
Agreement between MSCI and Morgan Stanley” in the accompanying index supplement.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Although there is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income
tax consequences of an investment in the notes due to the lack of governing authority, in the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk
& Wardwell LLP, under current law, and based on current market conditions, a note should be treated as a single financial contract
that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Assuming this treatment of the notes is respected and subject
to the discussion in “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement, the following U.S. federal
income tax consequences should result based on current law:
| · | A U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize taxable income over the term of the notes prior to settlement, other than
pursuant to a sale or exchange. |
| · | Upon sale, exchange or settlement of the notes, a U.S. Holder should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between
the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the notes. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss
if the investor has held the notes for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise. |
In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and
the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment
of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. The notice focuses in particular on whether to require holders
of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics,
including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to
any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange-traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying
property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to which income (including any mandated accruals) realized by
non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive
ownership” rule, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and
impose an interest charge. While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury
regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences
of an investment in the notes, possibly with retroactive effect.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. investors considering
an investment in the notes should read the discussion under “Risk Factors” in this document and the discussion under
“United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement and consult their tax advisers regarding all
aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, including possible alternative treatments, the
issues presented by the aforementioned notice and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing
jurisdiction.
The discussion in the preceding paragraphs under “Tax
considerations” and the discussion contained in the section entitled “United States Federal Taxation” in the
accompanying product supplement, insofar as they purport to describe provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws or legal conclusions
with respect thereto, constitute the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences
of an investment in the notes.
CONTACT
Morgan Stanley clients may contact their local Morgan Stanley
branch office or our principal executive offices at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036 (telephone number (866) 477-4776).
All other clients may contact their local brokerage representative. Third-party distributors may contact Morgan Stanley Structured
Investment Sales at (800) 233-1087.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Morgan Stanley has filed a registration statement (including
a prospectus, as supplemented by the product supplement and the index supplement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
or SEC, for the offering to which this communication relates. You should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the
product supplement, the index supplement and any other documents relating to this offering that Morgan Stanley has filed with the
SEC for more complete information about Morgan Stanley and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting
EDGAR on the SEC web site at.www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Morgan Stanley will arrange to send you the product supplement, index
supplement and prospectus if you so request by calling toll-free 800-584-6837.
You may access these documents on the SEC web site at.www.sec.gov.as
follows:
Product Supplement dated November 19, 2014
Index Supplement dated November 19, 2014
Prospectus dated November 19, 2014
Terms used but not defined in this document are defined in the
product supplement, in the index supplement or in the prospectus. As used in this document, the “Company,” “we,”
“us” and “our” refer to Morgan Stanley.
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