MSPI Morgan Stanley Depository Shares Representing 1/1000TH Preferred Series 1 Fixed TO Floating Non (Cum)

Terms

^† Subject to postponement in the event of a market disruption event as described under “Additional Terms Specific to the Securities–Market Disruption Events” below.

Investing in the Buffered Notes involves a number of risks. See “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 6 of these preliminary terms.

Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by a prospectus supplement and an index supplement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for the offering to which these preliminary terms relate. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the prospectus supplement, the index supplement and any other documents relating to this offering that Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed with the SEC for more complete information about Morgan Stanley, MSFL, and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at . www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Morgan Stanley, MSFL, any agent or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus, the prospectus supplement, the index supplement and these preliminary terms if you so request by calling toll-free 1-800-584-6837.

You may revoke your offer to purchase the securities at any time prior to the time at which we accept such offer on the date the securities are priced. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase the securities prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the securities, we will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes in which case we may reject your offer to purchase.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of these preliminary terms or the accompanying prospectus supplement, index supplement and prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The agent for this offering, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS & Co.”), is an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” below.

The securities are not deposits OR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency OR INSTRUMENTALITY, nor are they obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank.  

References to “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Morgan Stanley or MSFL, or Morgan Stanley and MSFL collectively, as the context requires.

Morgan Stanley

April 16, 2019

Additional Terms Specific to the Securities

You should read these preliminary terms together with the prospectus dated November 16, 2017, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated November 16, 2017 and the index supplement dated November 16, 2017. These Buffered Notes are an issuance of our Series A notes and their terms are further described in the prospectus supplement. These preliminary terms, together with the documents listed below, contain the terms of the securities and supersede all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, fact sheets, brochures or other educational materials of ours. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the securities.

You may access these documents on the SEC website at. www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/895421/000095010317011241/dp82788_424b2-seriesa.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/895421/000095010317011283/dp82797_424b2-indexsupp.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/895421/000095010317011237/dp82798_424b2-base.htm

The original issue price of each security is $1,000. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the securities on the Pricing Date will be less than $1,000. We estimate that the value of each security on the Pricing Date will be approximately $984.30, or within $10.00 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the securities as determined on the Pricing Date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.

What goes into the estimated value on the Pricing Date?

In valuing the securities on the Pricing Date, we take into account that the securities comprise both a debt component and a performance-based component linked to the Underlying Shares. The estimated value of the securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the Underlying Shares, instruments based on the Underlying Shares, 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 securities?

In determining the economic terms of the securities, including the Maximum Total Return, the Buffer Amount and the Downside Factor, 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 securities would be more favorable to you.

What is the relationship between the estimated value on the Pricing Date and the secondary market price of the securities?

The price at which MS & Co. purchases the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the Underlying Shares, may vary from, and be lower than, the estimated value on the Pricing 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 securities 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 securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the Underlying Shares, 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 securities, and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time.

What is the Total Return on the Securities at Maturity Assuming a Range of Performance for the Underlying Shares?

The following table and graph illustrate the hypothetical total return at maturity on the securities. The “total return” as used in these preliminary terms is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the payment at maturity per $1,000 principal amount security to $1,000. The hypothetical total returns set forth below reflect the Maximum Total Return of 10.00%, the Buffer Amount of 20.55% and the Downside Factor of 1.2587, and assume an Initial Share Price of $45.00. The actual Initial Share Price is set forth on the cover page of this document. The hypothetical total returns set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual total returns applicable to a purchaser of the securities. The numbers in the table below may be rounded for ease of analysis.

Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity

The following examples illustrate how the total returns set forth in the table and graph above are calculated.

Example 1: The price of the Underlying Shares increases from an Initial Share Price of $45.00 to an Ending Share Price of $63.00. Because the Underlying Share Return of 40% exceeds the Maximum Total Return of 10.00%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,100.00 per $1,000 principal amount security, the maximum payment on the securities.

Example 2: The price of the Underlying Shares increases from an Initial Share Price of $45.00 to an Ending Share Price of $47.25. Because the Ending Share Price of $47.25 is greater than the Initial Share Price of $45.00 and the Underlying Share Return of 5% does not exceed the Maximum Total Return of 10.00%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,050.00 per $1,000 principal amount security, calculated as follows:

$1,000 + ($1,000 x 5% ) = $1,050.00

Example 3: The price of the Underlying Shares decreases from an Initial Share Price of $45.00 to an Ending Share Price of $40.50. Because the Ending Share Price of $40.50 is less than the Initial Share Price of $45.00 by not more than the Buffer Amount of 20.55%, the investor will receive a payment at maturity of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount security.

Example 4: The price of the Underlying Shares decreases from an Initial Share Price of $45.00 to an Ending Share Price of $22.50. Because the Ending Share Price of $22.50 is less than the Initial Share Price of $45.00 by more than the Buffer Amount of 20.55%, the Underlying Share Return is negative and the investor will receive a payment at maturity of $629.31 per $1,000 principal amount security, calculated as follows:

$1,000 + [$1,000 x (-50% + 20.55%) x 1.2587] = $629.31

Selected Purchase Considerations

Selected Risk Considerations

An investment in the securities involves significant risks. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing directly in the Underlying Shares or its components. Some of these risks are explained in more detail in the prospectus.

Index, holders of the securities 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 represented in the Share Underlying Index, the price of the Underlying Shares will be adversely affected and the payment at maturity on the securities may be reduced.

Of particular importance to potential currency exchange risk are:

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 Share Underlying Index and the United States and other countries important to international trade and finance.

Some or all of these factors will influence the price that you will receive if you sell your securities prior to maturity. For example, you may have to sell your securities at a substantial discount from the principal amount of $1,000 per security if, at the time of sale, the price of the Underlying Shares is below the Initial Share Price.

You can review a graph setting forth the historical performance of the Underlying Shares in the section of these preliminary terms called “Historical Information.”

You cannot predict the future performance of the Underlying Shares based on its historical performance. We cannot guarantee that the Ending Share Price will be greater than the Initial Share Price so that you will receive a payment at maturity in excess of $1,000, or that you will not lose some or all of your investment.

Russell can add, delete or substitute the stocks underlying the Share Underlying Index that could affect the value of the Share Underlying Index and, consequently, the price of the Underlying Shares and the value of the securities.

In particular, during periods of market volatility, or unusual trading activity, trading in the securities underlying the Fund may be disrupted or limited, or such securities may be unavailable in the secondary market.  Under these circumstances, the liquidity of the Fund may be adversely affected, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the net asset value per share of the Fund, and their ability to create and redeem shares of the Fund may be disrupted. Under these circumstances, the market price of shares of the Fund may vary substantially from the net asset value per share of the Fund or the level of the Share Underlying Index.

For all of the foregoing reasons, the performance of the Fund may not correlate with the performance of the Share Underlying Index, the performance of the component securities of the Share Underlying Index or the net asset value per share of the Fund.  Any of these events could materially and adversely affect the price of the shares of the Fund and, therefore, the value of the securities.  Additionally, if market volatility or these events were to occur on any of the Averaging Dates, the calculation agent would maintain discretion to determine whether such market volatility or events have caused a market disruption event to occur, and such determination would affect the payment at maturity of the securities.  If the calculation agent determines that no market disruption event has taken place, the payment at maturity would be based solely on the published closing prices per share of the Fund on the Averaging Dates, even if the Fund’s shares are underperforming the Share Underlying Index or the component securities of the Share Underlying Index and/or trading below the net asset value per share of the Fund.

The inclusion of the costs of issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities in the original issue price and the lower rate we are willing to pay as issuer make the economic terms of the securities less favorable to you than they otherwise would be.

However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities 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 securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the Underlying Shares, 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.

including MS & Co., would be willing to purchase your securities in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your securities at any time after the date of these preliminary terms will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including our creditworthiness and changes in market conditions. See also “Many economic and market factors will impact the value of the securities” above.

As calculation agent, MS & Co. may make certain determinations that 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 certain adjustments to the adjustment factor. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity, if any. For further information regarding these types of determinations, see “Additional Terms of the Securities— A djustment Factor,” — A ntidilution Adjustments,” “—Market Disruption Events.” “— P ostponement of Averaging Dates,” “—Alternate Exchange Calculation in Case of an Event of Default,” “—Discontinuance of the Underlying Shares and/or Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” and related definitions below.

Additionally, some of our affiliates also trade the Underlying Shares and other financial instruments related to the Underlying Shares 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 Pricing Date could potentially affect the price of the Underlying Shares. We will not have any obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the securities in taking any corporate action that might affect the price of the Underlying Shares and the value of the securities. In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the securities on the Pricing Date.

Subject to the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in this pricing supplement, although there is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities due to the lack of governing authority, in the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (“our counsel”), under current law, and based on current market conditions, it is more likely than not that a security will be treated as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, our counsel’s opinion is based on market conditions as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement and is subject to confirmation on the pricing date.

Because the securities are linked to shares of an exchange-traded fund, although the matter is not clear, there is a substantial risk that an investment in the securities will be treated as a “constructive ownership transaction.” If this treatment applies, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder in respect of the securities could be recharacterized as ordinary income (in which case an interest charge would be imposed). U.S. investors should read the section entitled “United States Federal Taxation — Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders — Tax Treatment of the Securities — Potential Application of the Constructive Ownership Rule” in this pricing supplement.

If the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) were successful in asserting an alternative treatment for the securities, the timing and character of income on the securities might differ significantly from the tax treatment described herein. There is a risk that the IRS may seek to treat all or a portion of the gain on the securities as ordinary income. For example, there is a substantial risk that the IRS could seek to recharacterize the securities as debt instruments. In that event, U.S. Holders (as defined below) would be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the securities every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of issuance and recognize all income and gain in respect of the securities as ordinary income. The risk that financial instruments providing for buffers, triggers or similar downside protection features, such as the securities, 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 securities, and the IRS or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in this pricing supplement.

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. Holders (as defined below) 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 securities, possibly with retroactive effect.

Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should read carefully the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in this pricing supplement and consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

Additional Terms of the Securities

Terms used but not defined in these preliminary terms are defined in the prospectus supplement, in the index supplement or in the prospectus.

Share Underlying Index. FTSE China 50 Index

Share Underlying Index Publisher. FTSE International Limited (“FTSE Russell”) or any successor thereof

Adjustment Factor. The Adjustment Factor with respect to the Underlying Shares is initially set at 1.0, and is subject to adjustment in the event of certain corporate events affecting the Underlying Shares. See “—Antidilution Adjustments” below.

Antidilution Adjustments. The Adjustment Factor will be adjusted as follows:

If the Underlying Shares are subject to a stock split or reverse stock split, then once such split has become effective, the Adjustment Factor will be adjusted to equal the product of the then-current Adjustment Factor and the number of shares issued in such stock split or reverse stock split with respect to one Underlying Share.

No adjustment to the Adjustment Factor will be required unless such adjustment would require a change of at least 0.1% in the Adjustment Factor then in effect. The Adjustment Factor resulting from any of the adjustments specified above will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward. Adjustments to the Adjustment Factor will be made up to the close of business on the final Averaging Date.

No adjustments to the Adjustment Factor or method of calculating the Adjustment Factor will be required other than those specified above. The adjustments specified above do not cover all events that could affect the Share Closing Price of the Underlying Shares.

The Calculation Agent will be solely responsible for the determination and calculation of any adjustments to the Adjustment Factor or method of calculating the Adjustment Factor and of any related determinations, and its determinations and calculations with respect thereto will be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

The Calculation Agent will provide information as to any adjustments to the Adjustment Factor upon written request by any investor in the securities.

Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent for the securities will be MS & Co. All determinations made by the Calculation Agent will be at the sole discretion of the Calculation Agent and will, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding on you, the Trustee and us.

All calculations with respect to the Payment at Maturity, if any, will be made by the Calculation Agent and will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward (e.g., .876545 would be rounded to .87655); all dollar amounts related to determination of the amount of cash payable, if any, per Stated Principal Amount of the securities will be rounded to the nearest ten-thousandth, with five one hundred-thousandths rounded upward (e.g., .76545 would be rounded up to .7655); and all dollar amounts paid on the aggregate principal amount of the securities, if any, will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent rounded upward.

Because the calculation agent is our affiliate, the economic interests of the calculation agent and its affiliates may be adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities, including with respect to certain determinations and judgments that the calculation agent must make in determining the payment that you will receive, if any, at maturity or whether a market disruption event has occurred. See “Market Disruption Event” and “Discontinuance of the Underlying Shares and/or Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” below. MS & Co. is obligated to carry out its duties and functions as calculation agent in good faith and using its reasonable judgment.

Market Disruption Events. Market Disruption Event means, with respect to the Underlying Shares (or any other security for which a trading price or closing price must be determined):

(i) the occurrence or existence of:

(a) a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading of the Underlying Shares on the primary market for the Underlying Shares for more than two hours of trading or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of the principal trading session in such market; or a breakdown or failure in the price and trade reporting systems of the primary market for the Underlying Shares as a result of which the reported trading prices for the Underlying Shares during the last one-half hour preceding the close of the principal trading session in such market are materially inaccurate; or the suspension, absence or material limitation of trading on the primary market for

trading in futures or options contracts related to the Underlying Shares, if available, during the one-half hour period preceding the close of the principal trading session in the applicable market; or

(b) a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading of securities then constituting 20 percent or more of the value of the Share Underlying 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 Exchanges; or

(c) the suspension, material limitation or absence of trading on any major U.S. securities market for trading in futures or options contracts related to the Share Underlying Index or the Underlying Shares 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 securities.

For the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists at any time, if trading in a security included in the Share Underlying Index is materially suspended or materially limited at that time, then the relevant percentage contribution of that security to the value of the Share Underlying Index, shall be based on a comparison of (x) the portion of the value of such index attributable to that security relative to (y) the overall value of such index, in each case immediately before that suspension or limitation.

For purposes 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 Underlying Shares or in futures or options contract related to the Share Underlying Index or the Underlying Shares will not constitute a Market Disruption Event, (3) a suspension of trading in futures or options contracts on the Share Underlying Index or on the Underlying Shares by the primary securities market trading in such contracts 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 (c) a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to such contracts will constitute a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in futures or options contracts related to the Share Underlying Index or the Underlying Shares, 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 related to the Share Underlying Index or the Underlying Shares are traded will not include any time when such securities market is itself closed for trading under ordinary circumstances.

Relevant Exchange. Relevant Exchange means the primary exchange(s) or market(s) of trading for any security (or any combination thereof) then included in the Share Underlying Index or any successor index.

Postponement of Maturity Date: If the scheduled Maturity Date is not a Business Day, then the Maturity Date will be the next succeeding Business Day immediately following the scheduled Maturity Date. If the final Averaging Date is postponed so that it falls less than three scheduled Business Days prior to the scheduled Maturity Date, the Maturity Date will be the third scheduled Business Day following the final Averaging Date as postponed. See “–Postponement of Averaging Dates” below.

Postponement of Averaging Dates: If a Market Disruption Event with respect to the Underlying Shares occurs on any scheduled Averaging Date or if any such scheduled Averaging Date is not a Trading Day, the Share Closing Price for such scheduled Averaging Date will be determined on the immediately succeeding Trading Day on which no Market Disruption Event will have occurred. Each succeeding Averaging Date shall then be the next Trading Day following the preceding Averaging Date as postponed. The Share Closing Price for any scheduled Averaging Date will not be determined on a date later than the fifth scheduled Trading Day after such scheduled Averaging Date, and if such date is not a Trading Day, or if there is a Market Disruption Event on such date, the Calculation Agent will determine the Share Closing Price of the Underlying Shares on such date as the mean of the bid prices for the Underlying Shares for such date obtained from as many recognized dealers in such Underlying Shares, but not exceeding three, as will make such bid prices available to the Calculation Agent. Bids of MS & Co. or any of its affiliates may be included in the calculation of such mean, but only to the extent that any such bid is the highest of the bids obtained. If no bid prices are provided from any third party dealers, the Share Closing Price will be determined by the Calculation Agent in its sole and absolute discretion (acting in good faith) taking into account any information that it deems relevant.

Trading Day: A day, as determined by the Calculation Agent, on which trading is generally conducted on the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Options Exchange and in the over-the-counter market for equity securities in the United States.

Share Closing Price. Subject to the provisions set out under “Discontinuance of the Underlying Shares and/or Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” below, the Share Closing Price for the Underlying Shares (or one unit of any other security for which a Share Closing Price must be determined) on any Trading Day will be determined by the Calculation Agent and will mean:

(i) if the Underlying Shares (or any such other security) are listed on a national securities exchange (other than The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”)), the last reported sale price, regular way, of the principal trading session on such day on the principal national securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on which the Underlying Shares (or any such other security) are listed,

(ii) if the Underlying Shares (or any such other security) are securities of Nasdaq, the official closing price published by Nasdaq on such day, or

(iii) if the Underlying Shares (or any such other security) are not listed on any national securities exchange but are included in the OTC Bulletin Board Service (the “OTC Bulletin Board”) operated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), the last reported sale price of the principal trading session on the OTC Bulletin Board on such day.

If the Underlying Shares (or any such other security) are listed on any national securities exchange but the last reported sale price or the official closing price published by Nasdaq, as applicable, is not available pursuant to the preceding sentence, then the Share Closing Price for one Underlying Share (or one unit of any such other security) on any Trading Day will mean the last reported sale price of the principal trading session on the over-the-counter market as reported on Nasdaq or the OTC Bulletin Board on such day. If a Market Disruption Event occurs with respect to the Underlying Shares (or any such other security) or the last reported sale price or the official closing price published by Nasdaq, as applicable, for the Underlying Shares (or any such other security) is not available pursuant to either of the two preceding sentences, then the Share Closing Price for any Trading Day will be the mean, as determined by the Calculation Agent, of the bid prices for the Underlying Shares (or any such other security) for such Trading Day obtained from as many recognized dealers in such security, but not exceeding three, as will make such bid prices available to the Calculation Agent. Bids of MS & Co. and its successors or any of its affiliates may be included in the calculation of such mean, but only to the extent that any such bid is the highest of the bids obtained. If no bid prices are provided from any third party dealers, the Share Closing Price will be determined by the Calculation Agent in its sole and absolute discretion (acting in good faith) taking into account any information that it deems relevant. The term “OTC Bulletin Board Service” will include any successor service thereto, or, if applicable, the OTC Reporting Facility operated by FINRA.

Discontinuance of the Underlying Shares and/or Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation. If trading in the Underlying Shares on every applicable national securities exchange, on the OTC Bulletin Board and in the over-the-counter market is permanently discontinued or the iShares ^® China Large-Cap ETF is liquidated or otherwise terminated (a “Discontinuance or Liquidation Event”), the Share Closing Price on the Averaging Dates following the Discontinuance or Liquidation Event will be determined by the Calculation Agent and will be deemed to equal the product of (i) the closing value of the Share Underlying Index (or any successor index, as described below) on such date (taking into account any material changes in the method of calculating the Share Underlying Index following such Discontinuance or Liquidation Event) times (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Share Closing Price and the denominator of which is the closing value of the Share Underlying Index (or any successor index, as described below), each determined as of the last day prior to the occurrence of the Discontinuance or Liquidation Event on which an Share Closing Price was available.

If, subsequent to a Discontinuance or Liquidation Event, FTSE Russell discontinues publication of the Share Underlying Index and FTSE Russell or another entity (including MS & Co.) publishes a successor or substitute index that the Calculation Agent, determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to the discontinued Share Underlying Index (such index being referred to herein as a “successor index”), then any subsequent Share Closing Price on any Trading Day following a Discontinuance or Liquidation Event will be determined by reference to the published value of such successor index at the regular weekday close of trading on such Trading Day, and, to the extent the closing value of the successor index differs from the closing value of the Share Underlying Index at the time of such substitution, proportionate adjustments will be made by the Calculation Agent for purposes of calculating payments on the securities.

Upon any selection by the Calculation Agent of a successor index, the Calculation Agent will cause written notice thereof to be furnished to the Trustee, to us and to DTC, as holder of the securities, within three Business Days of such selection. We expect that such notice will be made available to you, as a beneficial owner of the securities, in accordance with the standard rules and procedures of DTC and its direct and indirect participants.

If, subsequent to a Discontinuance or Liquidation Event, the Share Underlying Index Publisher discontinues publication of the Share Underlying Index prior to, and such discontinuance is continuing on, any Averaging Date, and MS & Co., as the Calculation Agent, determines, in its sole discretion, that no successor index is available at such

time, then the Calculation Agent will determine the Share Closing Price for such date. The Share Closing Price will be computed by the Calculation Agent in accordance with the formula for calculating the Share Underlying Index last in effect prior to such discontinuance, using the closing price (or, if trading in the relevant securities has been materially suspended or materially limited, its good faith estimate of the closing price that would have prevailed but for such suspension or limitation) at the close of the principal trading session of the Relevant Exchange on such date of each security most recently composing the Share Underlying Index without any rebalancing or substitution of such securities following such discontinuance. Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, discontinuance of the publication of the Share Underlying Index may adversely affect the value of the securities.

Alternate Exchange Calculation in Case of an Event of Default. If an event of default with respect to the securities shall have occurred and be continuing, the amount declared due and payable upon any acceleration of the securities (the “Acceleration Amount”) will be an amount, determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion, that is equal to the cost of having a qualified financial institution, of the kind and selected as described below, expressly assume all our payment and other obligations with respect to the securities as of that day and as if no default or acceleration had occurred, or to undertake other obligations providing substantially equivalent economic value to you with respect to the securities. That cost will equal:

During the default quotation period for the securities, which we describe below, the holders of the securities and/or we may request a qualified financial institution to provide a quotation of the amount it would charge to effect this assumption or undertaking. If either party obtains a quotation, it must notify the other party in writing of the quotation. The amount referred to in the first bullet point above will equal the lowest—or, if there is only one, the only—quotation obtained, and as to which notice is so given, during the default quotation period. With respect to any quotation, however, the party not obtaining the quotation may object, on reasonable and significant grounds, to the assumption or undertaking by the qualified financial institution providing the quotation and notify the other party in writing of those grounds within two business days after the last day of the default quotation period, in which case that quotation will be disregarded in determining the Acceleration Amount.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, bankruptcy or insolvency of, or any analogous proceeding is filed with respect to MSFL or Morgan Stanley, then depending on applicable bankruptcy law, your claim may be limited to an amount that could be less than the Acceleration Amount.

If the maturity of the securities is accelerated because of an event of default as described above, we shall, or shall cause the calculation agent to, provide written notice to the trustee at its New York office, on which notice the trustee may conclusively rely, and to the depositary of the Acceleration Amount and the aggregate cash amount due, if any, with respect to the securities as promptly as possible and in no event later than two business days after the date of such acceleration.

Default quotation period

The default quotation period is the period beginning on the day the Acceleration Amount first becomes due and ending on the third business day after that day, unless:

If either of these two events occurs, the default quotation period will continue until the third business day after the first business day on which prompt notice of a quotation is given as described above. If that quotation is objected to as described above within five business days after that first business day, however, the default quotation period will continue as described in the prior sentence and this sentence.

In any event, if the default quotation period and the subsequent two business day objection period have not ended before the final Averaging Date, then the Acceleration Amount will equal the principal amount of the securities.

Qualified financial institutions

For the purpose of determining the Acceleration Amount at any time, a qualified financial institution must be a financial institution organized under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or Europe, which at that time has outstanding debt obligations with a stated maturity of one year or less from the date of issue and rated either:

Issuer Notice to Registered Security Holders, the Trustee and the Depositary. In the event that the Maturity Date is postponed due to postponement of the final Averaging Date, the issuer shall give notice of such postponement and, once it has been determined, of the date to which the Maturity Date has been rescheduled (i) to each registered holder of the securities by mailing notice of such postponement by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such registered holder’s last address as it shall appear upon the registry books, (ii) to the trustee by facsimile confirmed by mailing such notice to the trustee by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its New York office and (iii) to The Depository Trust Company (the “depositary”) by telephone or facsimile confirmed by mailing such notice to the depositary by first class mail, postage prepaid. Any notice that is mailed to a registered holder of the securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given to such registered holder, whether or not such registered holder receives the notice. The issuer shall give such notice as promptly as possible, and in no case later than (i) with respect to notice of postponement of the Maturity Date, the business day immediately preceding the scheduled Maturity Date and (ii) with respect to notice of the date to which the Maturity Date has been rescheduled, the business day immediately following the actual final Averaging Date.

The issuer shall, or shall cause the calculation agent to, (i) provide written notice to the trustee and to the depositary of the amount of cash, if any, to be delivered with respect to each stated principal amount of the securities, on or prior to 10:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the business day preceding the Maturity Date, and (ii) deliver the aggregate cash amount due with respect to the securities, if any, to the trustee for delivery to the depositary, as holder of the securities, on the Maturity Date.

Additional Information About the Securities

Use of Proceeds and Hedging

The proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used by us for general corporate purposes. We will receive, in aggregate, $1,000 per security issued, because, when we enter into hedging transactions in order to meet our obligations under the securities, our hedging counterparty will reimburse the cost of the agent’s commissions. The costs of the securities borne by you and described on page 2 above comprise the agent’s commissions and the cost of issuing, structuring and hedging the securities.

On or prior to the Pricing Date, we will hedge our anticipated exposure in connection with the securities by entering into hedging transactions with our affiliates and/or third party dealers. We expect our hedging counterparties to take positions in stocks of the Underlying Shares, in futures and/or options contracts on the Underlying Shares or any component stocks of the Share Underlying Index listed on major securities markets, or in any other securities or instruments that they may wish to use in connection with such hedging. Such purchase activity could potentially increase the price of the Underlying Shares on the Pricing Date and therefore could increase the price at or above which the Underlying Shares must close on the Averaging Dates so that investors do not suffer a loss on their initial investment in the securities. In addition, through our affiliates, we are likely to modify our hedge position throughout the term of the securities, including on the Averaging Dates, by purchasing and selling the stocks constituting the Underlying Shares, futures or options contracts on the Underlying Shares or component stocks of the Share Underlying Index 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 securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the Averaging Dates approach. We cannot give any assurance that our hedging activities will not affect the price of the Underlying Shares, and, therefore, adversely affect the value of the securities or the payment you will receive at maturity, if any.

Historical Information

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the iShares ^® China Large-Cap ETF based on the daily Share Closing Prices from January 1, 2014 through April 15, 2019. The Share Closing Price on April 15, 2019 was $44.93. We obtained the Share Closing Prices below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg Financial Markets.

The historical price of the Underlying Shares should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Share Closing Price on any of the Averaging Dates. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Underlying Shares will result in the return of any of your initial investment.

Historical Performance of the iShares ^® China Large-Cap ETF

Information about the Underlying Shares

iShares ^® China Large-Cap ETF; Public Information. The iShares ^®  China Large-Cap ETF is an exchange-traded fund that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the FTSE China 50 Index. The iShares ^®  China Large-Cap ETF is managed by iShares ^® , Inc. (“iShares”), a registered investment company that consists of numerous separate investment portfolios, including the iShares ^®  China Large-Cap ETF. Information provided to or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by iShares pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 can be located by reference to Commission file numbers 333-92935 and 811-09729, respectively, through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information may be obtained from other publicly available sources. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information.

These preliminary terms relate only to the securities offered hereby and do not relate to the Underlying Shares. We have derived all disclosures contained in these preliminary terms regarding iShares from the publicly available sources described in the preceding paragraph. In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to iShares. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that any publicly available information regarding iShares is accurate or complete. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available information described in the preceding paragraph) that would affect the trading price of the Underlying Shares (and therefore the price of the Underlying Shares at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning iShares could affect the value received at maturity with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.

Neither we nor any of our affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the Underlying Shares.

We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with iShares. In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to iShares, and neither we nor any of our affiliates undertakes to disclose any such information to you. In addition, one or more of our affiliates may publish research reports with respect to the Underlying Shares. The statements in the preceding two sentences are not intended to affect the rights of investors in the securities under the securities laws. As a prospective purchaser of the securities, you should undertake an independent investigation of iShares as in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment linked to the Underlying Shares.

iShares ^® is a registered trademark of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”). The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by BTC. BTC makes no representations or warranties to the owners of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in the securities. BTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the operation, marketing, trading or sale of the securities.

The FTSE China 50 Index. The FTSE China 50 Index is a stock index calculated, published and disseminated by FTSE Russell, a company wholly owned by the London Stock Exchange Group Plc (the “LSE”), and is designed to represent the performance of the mainland Chinese market that is available to international investors and includes companies that trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“HKSE”). The FTSE China 50 Index is described in “FTSE China 50 Index” in the accompanying index supplement.

Benefit Plan Investor Considerations

Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), which we refer to as a “plan,” should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in these securities. 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 affiliates, including MS & Co., may each be considered “parties in interest” within the meaning of ERISA or “disqualified persons” within the meaning of the Code with respect to many plans, as well as many individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans (such accounts and plans, together with other plans, accounts and arrangements subject to Section 4975 of the Code, 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 these securities 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 securities 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 these securities. 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 asset managers). In addition, ERISA Section 408(b)(17) and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide an exemption for the purchase and sale of securities and the related lending transactions, provided that neither the issuer of the securities nor any of its affiliates has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or renders any investment advice with respect to the assets of any plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the plan pays no more 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 these securities.

Because we may be considered a party in interest with respect to many plans, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, these securities 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. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any purchaser, including any fiduciary purchasing on behalf of a plan, transferee or holder of these securities will be deemed to have represented, in its corporate and its fiduciary capacity, by its purchase and holding thereof that either (a) it is not a plan or a plan asset entity, is not purchasing such securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any plan, or with any assets of a governmental 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 or disposition of these securities will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or violate any Similar Law.

Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in nonexempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing these securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any plan consult with their counsel regarding the availability of exemptive relief.

The securities are contractual financial instruments. The financial exposure provided by the securities 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 securities. The securities 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 securities.

Each purchaser or holder of any securities acknowledges and agrees that:

under the securities;

Each purchaser and holder of these securities has exclusive responsibility for ensuring that its purchase, holding and disposition of the securities do not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code or any Similar Law. The sale of any of these securities 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. In this regard, neither this discussion nor anything provided in this document is or is intended to be investment advice directed at any potential Plan purchaser or at Plan purchasers generally and such purchasers of these securities should consult and rely on their own counsel and advisers as to whether an investment in these securities is suitable.

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 securities if the account, plan or annuity is for the benefit of an employee of 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 securities by the account, plan or annuity.

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 securities, either directly or indirectly.

Supplemental Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and its affiliates will act as placement agents for the securities and will receive a fee from the Issuer or one of its affiliates that will not exceed $10.00 per $1,000 principal amount of securities, but will forgo any fees for sales to certain fiduciary accounts.

MS & Co. is an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, and it and other affiliates of ours expect to make a profit by selling, structuring and, when applicable, hedging the securities. When MS & Co. prices this offering of securities, it will determine the economic terms of the securities such that for each security the estimated value on the Pricing Date will be no lower than the minimum level described in “Additional Terms Specific To The Securities” 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 securities 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.

Tax Considerations

Prospective investors should note that the discussion under the section called “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus supplement does not apply to the securities issued under this document and is superseded by the following discussion.

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences and certain estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities. This discussion applies only to investors in the securities who:

This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of the holder’s particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules, such as:

If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership holding the securities or a partner in such a partnership, you should consult your tax adviser as to the particular U.S. federal tax consequences of holding and disposing of the securities to you.

As the law applicable to the U.S. federal income taxation of instruments such as the securities is technical and complex, the discussion below necessarily represents only a general summary. The effect of any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws is not discussed, nor are any alternative minimum tax consequences or consequences resulting from the Medicare tax on investment income. Moreover, the discussion below does not address the consequences to taxpayers subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code.

This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof, changes to any of which subsequent to the date hereof may affect the tax consequences described herein. Persons considering the purchase of the securities should consult their tax advisers with regard to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

General

Although there is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Securities due to the lack of governing authority, in the opinion of our counsel, under current law, and based on current market conditions, it is more likely than not that a security will be treated as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, our counsel’s opinion is based on market conditions as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement and is subject to confirmation on the pricing date.

You should consult your tax adviser regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities (including possible alternative treatments of the securities). Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the treatment of each security as described in the previous paragraph.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a U.S. Holder. As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a security that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

Tax Treatment of the Securities

Assuming the treatment of the securities as set forth above is respected, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result.

Tax Treatment Prior to Settlement. A U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize taxable income over the term of the securities prior to settlement, other than pursuant to a sale or exchange as described below.

Tax Basis. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities should equal the amount paid by the U.S. Holder to acquire the securities.

Sale, Exchange or Settlement of the Securities. Upon a sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, a U.S. Holder should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or settlement and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities sold, exchanged or settled. Subject to the discussion below concerning the potential application of the “constructive ownership” rule under Section 1260 of the Code, any gain or loss recognized upon the sale, exchange or settlement of the securities should be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the securities for more than one year at such time, and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise.

Potential Application of the Constructive Ownership Rule. Because the securities are linked to shares of an exchange-traded fund, although the matter is not clear, there is a substantial risk that an investment in the securities will be treated as a “constructive ownership transaction” under Section 1260 of the Code. If this treatment applies, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain of the U.S. Holder in respect of the securities could be recharacterized as ordinary income (the “Recharacterized Gain”), in which case an interest charge will be imposed. The amount of Recharacterized Gain (if any) that would be treated as ordinary income in respect of a Security will equal the excess of (i) any long-term capital gain recognized by the U.S. Holder in respect of a Security over (ii) the “net underlying long-term capital gain” (as defined in Section 1260 of the Code). Under Section 1260 of the Code, the amount of net underlying long-term capital gain will be treated as zero unless otherwise “established by clear and convincing evidence.” Due to the lack of governing authority, our counsel is unable to opine as to whether or how Section 1260 of the Code applies to the securities. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the potential application of the “constructive ownership” rule.

Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in the Securities

Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper tax treatment of the securities, no assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or that a court will uphold, the treatment described above. In particular, the IRS could seek to analyze the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning the securities under Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments (the “Contingent Debt Regulations”). If the IRS were successful in asserting that the Contingent Debt Regulations applied to the securities, the timing and character of income thereon would be significantly affected. Among other things, a U.S. Holder would be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the securities every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of their issuance, adjusted upward or downward to reflect the difference, if any, between the actual and the projected amount of any contingent payments on the securities. Furthermore, any gain realized by a U.S. Holder at maturity or upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s prior accruals of original issue discount and as capital loss thereafter. The risk that financial instruments providing for buffers, triggers or similar downside protection features, such as the securities, would be recharacterized as debt is greater than the risk of recharacterization for comparable financial instruments that do not have such features.

Other alternative federal income tax treatments of the securities are possible, which, if applied, could significantly affect the timing and character of the income or loss with respect to the securities. 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 on whether to require holders of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar 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; 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; and appropriate transition rules and effective dates. While it is not clear whether instruments such as the securities would be viewed as similar to the prepaid forward contracts described in the notice, 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 securities, possibly with retroactive effect. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments and the issues presented by this notice.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Backup withholding may apply in respect of payments on the securities and the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities, unless a U.S. Holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. The amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not an additional tax and may be refunded, or credited against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.  In addition, information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on the securities and the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities, unless the U.S. Holder provides proof of an applicable exemption from the information reporting rules.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a Non-U.S. Holder. As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a Security that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

The term “Non-U.S. Holder” does not include any of the following holders:

Such holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Securities.

Tax Treatment upon Sale, Exchange or Settlement of the Securities

In general. Assuming the treatment of the Securities as set forth above is respected, and subject to the discussions below concerning backup withholding and the possible application of Section 871(m) of the Code , a Non-U.S. Holder of the Securities generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of amounts paid to the Non-U.S. Holder.

Subject to the discussions regarding the possible application of Sections 871(m) of the Code and FATCA, if all or any portion of a Security were recharacterized as a debt instrument, any payment made to a Non-U.S. Holder with respect to the Securities would not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that:

Certification Requirement. The certification requirement referred to in the preceding paragraph will be fulfilled if the beneficial owner of a Security (or a financial institution holding a Security on behalf of the beneficial owner) furnishes to the applicable withholding agent an IRS Form W-8BEN (or other appropriate form) on which the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person.

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. Among the issues addressed in the notice is the degree, if any, to which any income with respect to instruments such as the Securities should be subject to U.S. withholding tax. It is possible that any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of this issue could materially and adversely affect the withholding tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the Securities, possibly on a retroactive basis. Non-U.S. Holders should note that we currently do not intend to withhold on any payment made with respect to the Securities to Non-U.S. Holders (subject to compliance by such holders with the certification requirement described above and to the discussions below regarding Section 871(m) and FATCA). However, in the event of a change of law or any formal or informal guidance by the IRS, the U.S. Treasury Department or Congress, we may decide to withhold on payments made with respect to the Securities to Non-U.S. Holders, and we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. Accordingly, Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Securities, including the possible implications of the notice referred to above.

Section 871(m) Withholding Tax on Dividend Equivalents

Section 871(m) of the Code and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities (each, an “Underlying Security”). Subject to certain exceptions, Section 871(m) generally applies to securities that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more Underlying Securities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations (a “Specified Security”). However, pursuant to an IRS notice, Section 871(m) will not apply to securities issued before January 1, 2021 that do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security. Based on the terms of the securities and current market conditions, we expect that the securities will not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security on the pricing date. However, we will provide an updated determination in the pricing supplement. Assuming that the securities do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security, our counsel is of the opinion that the securities should not be Specified Securities and, therefore, should not be subject to Section 871(m).

Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Section 871(m) is complex and its application may depend on your particular circumstances, including whether you enter into other transactions with respect to an Underlying Security. If Section 871(m) withholding is required, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the securities.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax

Individual Non-U.S. Holders and entities the property of which is potentially includible in such an individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers) should note that, absent an applicable treaty exemption, the securities may be treated as U.S.-situs property subject to U.S. federal estate tax. Prospective

investors that are non-U.S. individuals, or are entities of the type described above, should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment on the Securities at maturity as well as in connection with the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the Securities. A Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding in respect of amounts paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, unless such Non-U.S. Holder complies with certification procedures to establish that it is not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise establishes an exemption. Compliance with the certification procedures described above under “―Tax Treatment upon Sale, Exchange or Settlement of the Securities – Certification Requirement” will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding as well. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the Non-U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

FATCA

Legislation commonly referred to as “FATCA” generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on payments to certain non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries) with respect to certain financial instruments, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements have been satisfied. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the non-U.S. entity’s jurisdiction may modify these requirements. FATCA generally applies to certain financial instruments that are treated as paying U.S.-source interest or other U.S.-source “fixed or determinable annual or periodical” income (“FDAP income”). Withholding (if applicable) applies to payments of U.S.-source FDAP income and to payments of gross proceeds of the disposition (including upon retirement) of certain financial instruments treated as providing for U.S.-source interest or dividends. Under recently proposed regulations (the preamble to which specifies that taxpayers are permitted to rely on them pending finalization), no withholding will apply on payments of gross proceeds. If withholding applies to the securities, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the potential application of FATCA to the securities.

The discussion in the preceding paragraphs, insofar as it purports to describe provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitutes the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

Morgan Stanley Depository Shares Representing 1/1000TH Preferred Series 1 Fixed TO Floating Non (Cum) (NYSE:MSPI)
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Morgan Stanley Depository Shares Representing 1/1000TH Preferred Series 1 Fixed TO Floating Non (Cum) (NYSE:MSPI)
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From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024