Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. 4,348

Registration Statement Nos. 333-275587; 333-275587-01

Dated October 11, 2024

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC Trigger Step Securities

Linked to the Least Performing Underlying among the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust, the S&P 500® Index and the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM due October 20, 2028

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley

Principal at Risk Securities

Investment Description

These Trigger Step Securities (the “Securities”) are unsecured and unsubordinated debt securities issued by Morgan Stanley Finance LLC (“MSFL”), fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley, with returns linked to the performance of the Least Performing Underlying among the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust (the “MDY Shares”), the S&P 500® Index (the “SPX Index”) and the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM (the “INDU Index,” and together with the MDY Shares and the SPX Index, the “Underlyings”). If the Final Level of each of the Underlyings is greater than or equal to its respective Step Barrier, MSFL will pay the Principal Amount at maturity plus a return equal to the greater of (i) the Step Return of at least 36.00% (the actual Step Return will be determined on the Trade Date) and (ii) the Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying. If the Final Level of any of the Underlyings is less than its respective Step Barrier, MSFL will either pay the full Principal Amount at maturity or, if the Final Level of any of the Underlyings is less than its respective Downside Threshold, MSFL will pay significantly less than the Principal Amount at maturity, if anything, resulting in a loss on your principal amount that is proportionate to the full decline in the level of the Underlying with the largest percentage decrease from its Initial Level to its Final Level (the “Least Performing Underlying”). Because the Payment at Maturity of the Securities is based on the Least Performing Underlying among the MDY Shares, the SPX Index and the INDU Index, the fact that the Securities are linked to three Underlyings does not provide any asset diversification benefits and instead means that a decline beyond the relevant Downside Threshold of any of the MDY Shares, the SPX Index or the INDU Index will result in a significant loss on your investment, even if the other Underlyings have appreciated or have not declined as much. The Securities are for investors who seek an equity index-based return and who are willing to risk a loss on their principal, risk exposure to the least performing of three Underlyings and forgo current income in exchange for the Step Return feature and the contingent repayment of principal, which applies only if the Final Level of each Underlying is not less than its respective Downside Threshold, each as applicable at maturity. Investing in the Securities involves significant risks. You will not receive interest or dividend payments during the term of the Securities. You may lose a significant portion or all of your Principal Amount. The contingent repayment of principal applies only if you hold the Securities to maturity.

All payments are subject to our credit risk. If we default on our obligations, you could lose some or all of your investment. These Securities 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.

Features

 

Key Dates*

Enhanced Growth Potential with a Step Return Feature: If the Final Level of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its respective Step Barrier, MSFL will pay the Principal Amount at maturity plus pay a return equal to the greater of (i) the Step Return of at least 36.00% (the actual Step Return will be determined on the Trade Date) and (ii) the Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying. However, if the Final Level of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its respective Downside Threshold, investors will be exposed to the negative Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying at maturity.

Contingent Repayment of Principal at Maturity: If the Final Level of any Underlying is less than its respective Step Barrier but the Final Level of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its respective Downside Threshold, MSFL will pay the Principal Amount at maturity. However, if the Final Level of any Underlying is less than its respective Downside Threshold, MSFL will pay significantly less than the full Principal Amount, if anything, resulting in a loss of principal that is proportionate to the negative Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying. The contingent repayment of principal applies only if you hold the Securities to maturity. Any payment on the Securities, including any repayment of principal, is subject to our creditworthiness.

 

Trade Date

October 17, 2024

 

Settlement Date

October 22, 2024

 

Final Valuation Date**

October 17, 2028

 

Maturity Date**

October 20, 2028

 

 

* Expected.

** Subject to postponement in the event of a Market Disruption Event or for non-Index Business Days and non-Trading Days, as applicable. See “Postponement of Final Valuation Date and Maturity Date” under “Additional Terms of the Securities.”

 

The Securities are significantly riskier than conventional debt INSTRUMENTS. the terms of the securities may not obligate US TO REPAY THE FULL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE SECURITIES. the Securities CAN have downside MARKET risk SIMILAR TO THE LEAST PERFORMING OF THE THREE UNDERLYINGS, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OR ALL OF YOUR INVESTMENT at maturity. This MARKET risk is in addition to the CREDIT risk INHERENT IN PURCHASING OUR DEBT OBLIGATIONS.  You should not PURCHASE the Securities if you do not understand or are not comfortable with the significant risks INVOLVED in INVESTING IN the Securities. THE SECURITIES WILL NOT BE LISTED ON ANY SECURITIES EXCHANGE.

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE RISKS DESCRIBED UNDER ‘‘KEY RISKS’’ BEGINNING ON PAGE 5 OF THIS PRELIMINARY PRICING SUPPLEMENT BEFORE PURCHASING ANY SECURITIES. EVENTS RELATING TO ANY OF THOSE RISKS, OR OTHER RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET VALUE OF, AND THE RETURN ON, YOUR SECURITIES.

Security Offering

We are offering Trigger Step Securities linked to the Least Performing Underlying among the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust, the S&P 500® Index and the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM. The Securities are not subject to a predetermined maximum gain and, accordingly, any return at maturity will be determined by the performance of the Least Performing Underlying. The Securities are offered at a minimum investment of 100 Securities at the Price to Public listed below. The indicative Step Return for the Securities is listed below. The actual Step Return, Initial Levels, Step Barriers and Downside Thresholds for the Underlyings will be determined on the Trade Date.

Underlyings

Step Return

Initial Level

Step Barrier

Downside Threshold

CUSIP

ISIN

SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust

At least 36.00%

 

100% of the Initial Level

75% of the Initial Level

61776V170

US61776V1706

S&P 500® Index

 

100% of the Initial Level

75% of the Initial Level

Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM

 

100% of the Initial Level

75% of the Initial Level

See “Additional Information about Morgan Stanley, MSFL and the Securities” on page 2. The Securities will have the terms set forth in the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement and index supplement and this preliminary pricing supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these Securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this preliminary pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus supplement, index supplement and prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. 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.

Estimated value on the Trade Date

Approximately $9.470 per Security, or within $0.30 of that estimate. See “Additional Information about Morgan Stanley, MSFL and the Securities” on page 2.

 

Price to Public

Underwriting Discount(1)

Proceeds to Us(2)

Per Security

$10.00

$0.30

$9.70

Total

$

$

$

(1) UBS Financial Services Inc., acting as dealer, will receive from Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, the agent, a fixed sales commission of $0.30 for each Security it sells. For more information, please see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” on page 32 of this preliminary pricing supplement.

(2) See “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page 32.

The agent for this offering, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, is our affiliate and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” on page 32 of this preliminary pricing supplement.

Morgan Stanley UBS Financial Services Inc.

 

 

Additional Information about Morgan Stanley, MSFL and the Securities

Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by a prospectus supplement and an index supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. 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. When you read the accompanying prospectus supplement and index supplement, please note that all references in such supplements to the prospectus dated November 16, 2023, or to any sections therein, should refer instead to the accompanying prospectus dated April 12, 2024 or to the corresponding sections of such prospectus, as applicable. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at.www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Morgan Stanley, MSFL, any underwriter or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus, the prospectus supplement and the index supplement if you so request by calling toll-free 1-(800)-584-6837.

You may access the accompanying prospectus supplement, index supplement and prospectus on the SEC website at.www.sec.gov as follows:

Prospectus supplement dated November 16, 2023:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/895421/000095010323016325/dp202714_4242-seriesa.htm

Index supplement dated November 16, 2023:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/895421/000095010323016332/dp202718_424b2-isn2023.htm

Prospectus dated April 12, 2024:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/895421/000095010324005205/dp209505_424b2-base.htm

References to “MSFL” refer to only MSFL, references to “Morgan Stanley” refer to only Morgan Stanley and references to “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MSFL and Morgan Stanley collectively. In this document, the “Securities” refers to the Trigger Step Securities that are offered hereby. Also, references to the accompanying “prospectus,” “prospectus supplement” and “index supplement” mean the prospectus filed by MSFL and Morgan Stanley dated April 12, 2024, the prospectus supplement filed by MSFL and Morgan Stanley dated November 16, 2023 and the index supplement filed by MSFL and Morgan Stanley dated November 16, 2023, respectively.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this preliminary pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus supplement, index supplement and prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these Securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this preliminary pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus supplement, index supplement and prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this document.

The Issue Price of each Security is $10. 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 Trade Date will be less than $10. We estimate that the value of each Security on the Trade Date will be approximately $9.470, or within $0.30 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the Securities 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 Securities on the Trade Date, we take into account that the Securities comprise both a debt component and a performance-based component linked to the Underlyings. The estimated value of the Securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the Underlyings, instruments based on the Underlyings, 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 Step Return, the Step Barriers and the Downside Thresholds, 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 Trade 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 Underlyings, 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 Securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 10 months following the Settlement 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 Underlyings, 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. currently intends, 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.

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Investor Suitability

The Securities may be suitable for you if:

You fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the Securities, including the risk of loss of your entire initial investment.

You can tolerate a loss of all or a substantial portion of your Principal Amount and are willing to make an investment that may have the same downside market risk as the Least Performing Underlying.

You understand that the linkage to three Underlyings does not provide any portfolio diversification benefits and instead means that a decline beyond the relevant Downside Threshold of any Underlying will result in a significant loss on your investment, even if the other Underlyings appreciate.

You are willing to hold the Securities to maturity, as set forth on the cover of this preliminary pricing supplement, and accept that there may be little or no secondary market for the Securities.

You understand and accept the risks associated with the Underlyings.

You believe each Underlying will appreciate over the term of the Securities and you would be willing to invest in the Securities if the Step Return was set to the minimum Step Return indicated on the cover hereof (the actual Step Return will be set on the Trade Date).

You can tolerate fluctuations of the price of the Securities prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside fluctuations in the levels of the Underlyings.

You do not seek current income from your investment and are willing to forgo dividends paid on the MDY Shares or the stocks included in the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index.

You are willing to assume our credit risk, and understand that if we default on our obligations you may not receive any amounts due to you including any repayment of principal.

The Securities may not be suitable for you if:

You do not fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the Securities, including the risk of loss of your entire initial investment.

You cannot tolerate a loss of all or a substantial portion of your Principal Amount, and you are not willing to make an investment that may have the same downside market risk as the Least Performing Underlying.

You require an investment designed to provide a full return of principal at maturity.

You are not comfortable with an investment linked to three Underlyings such that a decline beyond the relevant Downside Threshold of any Underlying will result in a significant loss on your investment, even if the other Underlyings appreciate.

You are unable or unwilling to hold the Securities to maturity, as set forth on the cover of this preliminary pricing supplement, or you seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.

You do not understand and accept the risks associated with the Underlyings.

You believe that the Final Level of one or more Underlyings will decline during the term of the Securities and is likely to close below its respective Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date.

You would not be willing to invest in the Securities if the Step Return was set to the minimum Step Return indicated on the cover hereof (the actual Step Return will be set on the Trade Date).

You prefer the lower risk, and therefore accept the potentially lower returns, of conventional debt securities with comparable maturities issued by us or another issuer with a similar credit rating.

You seek current income from your investment or prefer to receive the dividends paid on the MDY Shares or the stocks included in the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index.

You are not willing or are unable to assume the credit risk associated with us, for any payment on the Securities, including any repayment of principal.

 

The investor suitability considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the Securities are a suitable investment for you will depend on your individual circumstances, and you should reach an investment decision only after you and your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors have carefully considered the suitability of an investment in the Securities in light of your particular circumstances. You should also review “Key Risks” on page 5 of this preliminary pricing supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of the accompanying prospectus for risks related to an investment in the Securities. For additional information about the Underlyings, see the information set forth under “SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust” on page 19, “S&P 500® Index” on page 21 and “Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM” on page 23.

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Terms

 

Investment Timeline

Issuer

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

 

The Closing Level of each Underlying (the respective Initial Level) is observed and the Downside Thresholds are determined and the Step Return is set.

 

 

 

The Final Level and Underlying Return of each Underlying are determined on the Final Valuation Date.

 

If the Final Level of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its respective Step Barrier, MSFL will pay you a cash payment per Security equal to:

 

$10 + [$10 × (the greater of (i) the Step Return and (ii) the Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying)]

 

If the Final Level of any Underlying is less than its respective Step Barrier and the Final Level of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its respective Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date, MSFL will pay you a cash payment of $10 per $10 Security.

 

If the Final Level of any Underlying is less than its respective Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date, MSFL will pay you a cash payment at maturity equal to:

 

$10 + ($10 × Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying)

 

Under these circumstances, you will lose a significant portion, and could lose all, of your Principal Amount.

Guarantor

Morgan Stanley

Issue Price (per Security)

$10.00 per Security

Principal Amount

$10.00 per Security

Term

Approximately 4 years

Underlyings

The SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust (the “MDY Shares”), the S&P 500® Index (the “SPX Index”) and the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM (the “INDU Index”)

Downside Threshold

With respect to each Underlying, 75% of the Initial Level of such Underlying

Step Barrier

With respect to each Underlying, 100% of the Initial Level of such Underlying

Payment at Maturity (per Security)

If the Final Level of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its respective Step Barrier, MSFL will pay you an amount calculated as follows:

$10 + [$10 × (the greater of (i) the Step Return and (ii) the Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying)]

If the Final Level of any Underlying is less than its respective Step Barrier and the Final Level of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its respective Downside Threshold, MSFL will pay you an amount calculated as follows:

$10 per Security

If the Final Level of any Underlying is less than its respective Downside Threshold, MSFL will pay you an amount calculated as follows:

$10 + ($10 × Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying)

In this case, you could lose up to all of your Principal Amount in an amount proportionate to the negative Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying.

Underlying Return

 

With respect to each Underlying,

Final Level – Initial Level

Initial Level

Least Performing Underlying

The Underlying with the least Underlying Return.

Step Return

At least 36.00%. The actual Step Return will be determined on the Trade Date.

Initial Level

With respect to each Underlying, the Closing Level of such Underlying on the Trade Date.

Final Level

With respect to each Underlying, the Closing Level of such Underlying on the Final Valuation Date.

Adjustment Factor

With respect to the MDY Shares, 1.0, subject to adjustment in the event of certain corporate events affecting the MDY Shares.

Trade Date

October 17, 2024

Settlement Date

October 22, 2024

Final Valuation Date

October 17, 2028*

Maturity Date

October 20, 2028*

CUSIP / ISIN

61776V170 / US61776V1706

Calculation Agent

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

*Subject to postponement in the event of a Market Disruption Event or for

non-Index Business Days and non-Trading Days, as applicable. See “Postponement of Final Valuation Date and Maturity

Date” under “Additional Terms of the Securities.”

INVESTING IN THE SECURITIES INVOLVES SIGNIFICANT RISKS. YOU MAY LOSE YOUR ENTIRE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT. ANY PAYMENT ON THE SECURITIES IS SUBJECT TO OUR CREDITWORTHINESS. IF WE WERE TO DEFAULT ON OUR PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS, YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE ANY AMOUNTS OWED TO YOU UNDER THE SECURITIES AND YOU COULD LOSE YOUR ENTIRE INVESTMENT.

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Key Risks

An investment in the Securities involves significant risks. The material risks that apply to the Securities are summarized here, but we urge you to also read the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying prospectus. You should also consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the Securities.

Risks Relating to an Investment in the Securities

The Securities do not guarantee any return of principal – The terms of the Securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that MSFL is not necessarily obligated to repay any of the Principal Amount at maturity. If the Final Level of any Underlying is less than its respective Downside Threshold (which is 75% of its respective Initial Level), you will be exposed to the full negative Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying and the payout owed at maturity by MSFL will be an amount in cash that is at least 25% less than the $10 Principal Amount of each Security, resulting in a loss proportionate to the decrease in the value of the Least Performing Underlying from the Initial Level to the Final Level. There is no minimum payment at maturity on the Securities, and, accordingly, you could lose all of your Principal Amount in the Securities.

You may incur a loss on your investment if you sell your Securities prior to maturity – The Downside Thresholds are observed on the Final Valuation Date and the contingent repayment of principal applies only at maturity. If you are able to sell your Securities in the secondary market prior to maturity, you may have to sell them at a loss relative to your initial investment even if the Closing Levels of the Underlyings are above their respective Downside Thresholds at that time.

The Step Return applies only if you hold the Securities to maturity – You should be willing to hold your Securities to maturity. If you are able to sell your Securities prior to maturity in the secondary market, the price you receive will likely not reflect the full economic value of the Step Return or the Securities themselves, and the return you realize may be less than the Least Performing Underlying's return even if such return is positive. You can receive the full benefit of the Step Return from MSFL only if you hold your Securities to maturity.

The Securities are subject to our credit risk, and any actual or anticipated changes to our credit ratings or our credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the Securities – You are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the Securities at maturity, if any, and therefore you are subject to our credit risk. If we default on our obligations under the Securities, your investment would be at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment. As a result, the market value of the Securities prior to maturity will be affected by changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness. Any actual or anticipated decline in our credit ratings or increase in our credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect the market value of the Securities.

As a finance subsidiary, MSFL has no independent operations and will have no independent assets – As a finance subsidiary, MSFL has no independent operations beyond the issuance and administration of its securities and will have no independent assets available for distributions to holders of MSFL securities if they make claims in respect of such securities in a bankruptcy, resolution or similar proceeding. Accordingly, any recoveries by such holders will be limited to those available under the related guarantee by Morgan Stanley and that guarantee will rank pari passu with all other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of Morgan Stanley. Holders will have recourse only to a single claim against Morgan Stanley and its assets under the guarantee. Holders of securities issued by MSFL should accordingly assume that in any such proceedings they would not have any priority over and should be treated pari passu with the claims of other unsecured, unsubordinated creditors of Morgan Stanley, including holders of Morgan Stanley-issued securities.

The Securities do not pay interest MSFL will not pay any interest with respect to the Securities over the term of the Securities.

The market price of the Securities may be influenced by many unpredictable factorsSeveral factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence the value of the Securities in the secondary market and the price at which MS & Co. may be willing to purchase or sell the Securities in the secondary market (if at all), including:

othe values of the Underlyings at any time,

othe volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in value) of each Underlying and of the stocks included in the SPX Index, the INDU Index and the Share Underlying Index,

odividend rates on the securities included in the SPX Index, the INDU Index and the Share Underlying Index,

ointerest and yield rates in the market,

ogeopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the Underlyings or the constituent stocks of the Share Underlying Index or stock markets generally and which may affect the Final Levels,

othe occurrence of certain events affecting the MDY Shares that may or may not require an adjustment to the Adjustment Factor,

othe time remaining until the Securities mature, and

oany actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads.

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Some or all of these factors will influence the terms of the Securities at the time of issuance and the price that you will receive if you are able to sell your Securities prior to maturity, as the Securities are comprised of both a debt component and a performance-based component linked to the Underlyings, and these are the types of factors that also generally affect the values of debt securities and derivatives linked to the Underlyings. Generally, the longer the time remaining to maturity, the more the market price of the Securities will be affected by the other factors described above. For example, you may have to sell your Securities at a substantial discount from the principal amount of $10 per Security if the value of any Underlying at the time of sale is at, below or moderately above its respective Initial Level, and especially if it is near or below its respective Downside Threshold, or if market interest rates rise. You cannot predict the future performance of the Underlyings based on their historical performance.

The amount payable on the Securities is not linked to the levels of the Underlyings at any time other than the Final Valuation DateThe Final Level of each Underlying will be based on the Closing Level of such Underlying on the Final Valuation Date, subject to postponement for non-Index Business Days and certain Market Disruption Events. Even if all three Underlyings appreciate prior to the Final Valuation Date but the level of any Underlying drops by the Final Valuation Date, the Payment at Maturity may be significantly less than it would have been had the Payment at Maturity been linked to the levels of the Underlyings prior to such drop. Although the actual levels of the Underlyings on the stated Maturity Date or at other times during the term of the Securities may be higher than their respective Final Levels, the Payment at Maturity will be based solely on the Closing Levels of the Underlyings on the Final Valuation Date as compared to their Initial Levels.

Investing in the Securities is not equivalent to investing in the Underlyings or the stocks composing the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index – Investing in the Securities is not equivalent to investing in any Underlying or the stocks that constitute the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index. Investors in the Securities will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the stocks that constitute the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index. Additionally, the SPX Index and the INDU Index are not “total return” indices, which, in addition to reflecting the market prices of the stocks that constitute such Underlyings, would also reflect dividends paid on such stocks. The return on the Securities will not include such a total return feature.

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 Securities in the Issue Price reduce the economic terms of the Securities, cause the estimated value of the Securities to be less than the Issue Price and will adversely affect secondary market pricesAssuming 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 Securities in secondary market transactions will likely be significantly lower than the Issue Price, because secondary market prices will exclude the issuing, selling, structuring and hedging-related costs that are included in the 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 Securities in the 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 10 months following the Settlement 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 Underlyings, 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 Securities 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 priceThese 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 Securities than those generated by others, including other dealers in the market, if they attempted to value the Securities. 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 Securities in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your Securities at any time after the date of this preliminary pricing supplement 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 of the Securities may be influenced by many unpredictable factors” above.

The Securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and secondary trading may be limitedThe Securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the Securities. MS & Co. currently intends, 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. 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 Securities, 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

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time remaining to maturity and the likelihood that it will be able to resell the Securities. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Securities easily. Since other broker-dealers may not participate significantly in the secondary market for the Securities, the price at which you may be able to trade your Securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which MS & Co. is willing to transact. If, at any time, MS & Co. were to cease making a market in the Securities, it is likely that there would be no secondary market for the Securities. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your Securities to maturity.

Hedging and trading activity by our affiliates could potentially adversely affect the value of the Securities – One or more of our affiliates and/or third-party dealers expect to carry out hedging activities related to the Securities, including trading in the Underlyings or the constituent stocks of the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index, in futures or options contracts on the Underlyings or the constituent stocks of the SPX Index, the INDU Index and Share Underlying Index, as well as in other instruments related to the Underlyings. 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 Final Valuation Date approaches. MS & Co. and some of our other affiliates also trade the Underlyings or the constituent stocks of the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index, in futures or options contracts on the Underlyings or the constituent stocks of the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index, as well as in other instruments related to the Underlyings, 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 Level of any Underlying, and, therefore, could increase the Downside Threshold of such Underlying, which is the level at or above which such Underlying must close on the Final Valuation Date so that investors do not suffer a significant loss on their initial investment in the Securities (depending also on the performance of the other Underlyings). Additionally, such hedging or trading activities during the term of the Securities, including on the Final Valuation Date, could adversely affect the Closing Level of any Underlying on the Final Valuation Date, and, accordingly, the amount of cash payable at maturity, if any (depending also on the performance of the other Underlyings).

Potential conflict of interest – As Calculation Agent, MS & Co. will determine the Initial Levels, the Step Return, the Downside Thresholds, the Final Levels and whether any Market Disruption Event has occurred, and will calculate the amount payable 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, any adjustment to the Adjustment Factor and the selection of a Successor Index or calculation of any Final Level in the event of a discontinuance of the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index, or a Market Disruption Event. 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—Postponement of Final Valuation Date and Maturity Date,” “—Discontinuance of the SPX Index or the INDU Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation,” “—Discontinuance of the MDY Shares and/or the Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” and “—Calculation Agent and Calculations” below. In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the Securities on the Trade Date.

Potentially inconsistent research, opinions or recommendations by Morgan Stanley, UBS or our or their respective affiliatesMorgan Stanley, UBS and our or their respective affiliates may publish research from time to time on financial markets and other matters that may influence the value of the Securities, or express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the Securities. Any research, opinions or recommendations expressed by Morgan Stanley, UBS or our or their respective affiliates may not be consistent with each other and may be modified from time to time without notice. Investors should make their own independent investigation of the merits of investing in the Securities and the Underlyings to which the Securities are linked.

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Securities are uncertain – Please note that the discussions in this preliminary pricing supplement concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Securities supersede the discussions contained in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

Subject to the discussion under “What Are the Tax Consequences of the Securities” in this preliminary 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, each Security should be treated as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, because our counsel’s opinion is based in part on market conditions as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, it is subject to confirmation on the Trade Date.

Because the Securities are linked 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 (as defined below) in respect of the Securities could be recharacterized as ordinary income (in which case an interest charge would be imposed). As a result of certain features of the Securities, including the fact that the Securities are linked to indices in addition to an exchange-traded fund, it is unclear how to calculate the amount of gain that would be recharacterized if an investment in the Securities were treated as a constructive ownership transaction. U.S. Holders 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 preliminary pricing supplement.

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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. For example, under one possible treatment 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 preliminary 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, as discussed above. 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 “What Are the Tax Consequences of the Securities” in this preliminary 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.

Risks Relating to the Underlyings

You are exposed to the price risk of all three Underlyings Your return on the Securities is not linked to a basket consisting of the Underlyings. Rather, it will be based upon the independent performance of each Underlying. Unlike an instrument with a return linked to a basket of underlying assets, in which risk is mitigated and diversified among all the components of the basket, you will be exposed to the risks related to each of the Underlyings. Poor performance by any Underlying over the term of the Securities will negatively affect your return and will not be offset or mitigated by any positive performance by the other Underlyings. If any Underlying declines to below its respective Downside Threshold as of the Final Valuation Date, you will be exposed to the negative performance of the Least Performing Underlying at maturity, even if the other Underlyings appreciate or do not decline as much, and you will lose a significant portion or all of your investment. Accordingly, your investment is subject to the price risk of all three Underlyings. Additionally, movements in the values of the Underlyings may be correlated or uncorrelated at different times during the term of the Securities, and such correlation (or lack thereof) could have an adverse effect on your return on the Securities. For example, the likelihood that one of the Underlyings will close below its Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date will increase when the movements in the values of the Underlyings are uncorrelated. This results in a greater potential for a significant loss of principal at maturity. If the performance of the Underlyings is not correlated or is negatively correlated, the risk of incurring a significant loss of principal at maturity is greater. In addition, correlation generally decreases for each additional Underlying to which the Securities are linked, resulting in a greater potential for a significant loss of principal at maturity.

Because the Securities are linked to the performance of the least performing among the MDY Shares, the SPX Index and the INDU Index, you are exposed to greater risk of sustaining a significant loss on your investment than if the Securities were linked to just the MDY Shares, just the SPX Index or just the INDU Index – The risk that you will suffer a significant loss on your investment is greater if you invest in the Securities as opposed to substantially similar securities that are linked to just the performance of one Underlying. With three Underlyings, it is more likely that one or more Underlyings will decline to below their respective Downside Thresholds as of the Final Valuation Date than if the Securities were linked to only one Underlying. Therefore it is more likely that you will suffer a significant loss on your investment.

The probability that the Final Level of any Underlying will be less than its respective Downside Threshold will depend on the volatility of such Underlying “Volatility” refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the levels of the Underlyings. Higher expected volatility with respect to the Underlyings as of the Trade Date generally indicates a greater chance as of that date that the Final Level of one or more Underlyings will be less than their respective Downside Thresholds, which would result in a loss of a significant portion or all of your investment at maturity. However, the volatility of the Underlyings can change significantly over the term of the Securities. The level of any Underlying could fall sharply, resulting in a significant loss of principal. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of all three Underlyings and the potential loss of a significant portion or all of your investment at maturity.

The Securities are linked to the MDY Shares and are subject to the risks associated with mid-capitalization companies. The MDY Shares are composed of equity securities issued by companies that are considered mid-capitalization

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companies. These equity securities often have greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than the equity securities of large-capitalization companies, and are more vulnerable to adverse business and economic developments than those of large capitalization companies. In addition, mid-capitalization companies are typically less established and less stable financially than large-capitalization companies. These companies may depend on a small number of key personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of personnel. Such companies tend to have smaller revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources and less competitive strengths than large-capitalization companies and are more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products. Therefore, the MDY Shares may be more volatile than it would be if they were composed of equity securities issued by large-capitalization companies.

Adjustments to the MDY Shares or the Share Underlying Index could adversely affect the value of the Securities. The investment adviser to the MDY Shares (the "Investment Adviser") seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Share Underlying Index. Pursuant to its investment strategies or otherwise, the Investment Adviser may add, delete or substitute the stocks composing the Share Underlying Index. Any of these actions could adversely affect the price of the MDY Shares and, consequently, the value of the Securities. The Share Underlying Index Publisher may add, delete or substitute the stocks constituting the Share Underlying Index or make other methodological changes that could change the level of the Share Underlying Index. The Share Underlying Index Publisher may discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of the Share Underlying Index 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 Share Underlying Index and is permitted to consider indices that are calculated and published by the calculation agent or any of its affiliates. Any of these actions could adversely affect the Closing Level of the MDY Shares and, consequently, the value of the Securities.

The performance and market price of the MDY Shares, particularly during periods of market volatility, 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 MDY Shares. The MDY Shares do not fully replicate the Share Underlying Index and may hold securities that are different than those included in the Share Underlying Index. In addition, the performance of the MDY Shares will reflect additional transaction costs and fees that are not included in the calculation of the Share Underlying Index. All of these factors may lead to a lack of correlation between the performance of the MDY Shares and the Share Underlying Index. In addition, corporate actions (such as mergers and spin-offs) with respect to the equity securities underlying the MDY Shares may impact the variance between the performance of the MDY Shares and the Share Underlying Index. Finally, because the shares of the MDY Shares are traded on an exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market price of one share of the MDY Shares may differ from the net asset value per share of the MDY Shares.

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

For all of the foregoing reasons, the performance of the MDY Shares 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 MDY Shares. Any of these events could materially and adversely affect the Closing Level of the MDY Shares and, therefore, the value of the Securities. Additionally, if market volatility or these events were to occur on the Final Valuation Date, 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 may affect the payment on the Securities. If the Calculation Agent determines that no Market Disruption Event has taken place, the Payment at Maturity would be based on the published Closing Level per share of the MDY Shares on the Final Valuation Date, even if the MDY 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 MDY Shares.

The adjustments to the Adjustment Factor the Calculation Agent is required to make do not cover every corporate event that can affect the MDY Shares. MS & Co., as Calculation Agent, will adjust the Adjustment Factor for certain events affecting the MDY Shares, including stock splits and reverse stock splits. However, the Calculation Agent will not make an adjustment for every event that can affect the MDY Shares. If an event occurs that does not require the Calculation Agent to adjust the Adjustment Factor, the market price of the Securities may be materially and adversely affected. The determination by the Calculation Agent to adjust, or not to adjust, the Adjustment Factor may materially and adversely affect the market price of the Securities.

Adjustments to the SPX Index or the INDU Index could adversely affect the value of the SecuritiesThe Underlying Publisher of the SPX Index and the INDU Index is responsible for calculating and maintaining such Underlying. An Underlying Publisher may add, delete or substitute the stocks constituting an Underlying or make other methodological changes required

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by certain corporate events relating to the stocks constituting such Underlying, such as stock dividends, stock splits, spin-offs, rights offerings and extraordinary dividends, that could change the value of such Underlying. An Underlying Publisher may discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of an Underlying 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 Underlying, and is permitted to consider indices that are calculated and published by the Calculation Agent or any of its affiliates. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of the SPX Index or the INDU Index and, consequently, the value of the Securities.

Governmental regulatory actions could result in material changes to the composition of the Underlyings and could negatively affect your return on the Securities. Governmental regulatory actions, including but not limited to sanctions-related actions by the U.S. or foreign governments, could make it necessary or advisable for there to be material changes to the composition of the Underlyings, depending on the nature of such governmental regulatory actions and the Underlying constituent stocks that are affected. If any governmental regulatory action results in the removal of Underlying constituent stocks that have (or historically have had) significant weights within the applicable Underlying, such removal, or even any uncertainty relating to a possible removal, could have a material and negative effect on the level of the applicable Underlying and, therefore, your return on the Securities.

 

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Scenario Analysis and Examples at Maturity

These examples are based on hypothetical terms. The actual terms will be determined on the Trade Date.

The below scenario analysis and examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are hypothetical. They do not purport to be representative of every possible scenario concerning increases or decreases in the levels of the Underlyings relative to their respective Initial Levels. We cannot predict the Final Level of any Underlying on the Final Valuation Date. You should not take the scenario analysis and these examples as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of the Underlyings. The numbers appearing in the examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis. The following scenario analysis and examples illustrate the payment at maturity for a $10.00 security on a hypothetical offering of the Securities, based on the following terms*:

Investment term:  Approximately 4 years

Hypothetical Initial Levels: 

oMDY Shares:                               $480.00

oSPX Index:                                    5,000

oINDU Index:                                 30,000

Hypothetical Downside Thresholds:

oMDY Shares:                               $360.00 (75% of the hypothetical Initial Level)

oSPX Index:                                   3,750 (75% of the hypothetical Initial Level)

oINDU Index:                                 22,500 (75% of the hypothetical Initial Level)

Hypothetical Step Barriers: 

oMDY Shares:                               $480.00, which is 100% of the hypothetical Initial Level

oSPX Index:                                   5,000, which is 100% of the hypothetical Initial Level

oINDU Index:                                30,000, which is 100% of the hypothetical Initial Level

Hypothetical Step Return: 36.00%

* The actual Initial Levels, Downside Thresholds, Step Barriers and Step Return for the Securities will be determined on the Trade Date.

Example 1All three Underlyings appreciate over the term of the Securities, and the level of the Least Performing Underlying increases from an Initial Level of $480.00 to a Final Level of $936.00. The Final Level of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to the Step Barrier and the Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than the hypothetical Step Return of 36.00%:

Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying = ($936.00 – $480.00) / $480.00 = 95.00%

Payment at Maturity = $10 + [$10 × the greater of (i) the Step Return and (ii) the Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying]

= $10 + [$10 × the greater of (i) 36.00% and (ii) 95.00%] = $19.50

Because the Final Level of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to the Step Barrier and the Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than the hypothetical Step Return of 36.00%, the Payment at Maturity is equal to $19.50 per $10.00 Principal Amount of Securities, resulting in a total return on the Securities of 95.00%.

Example 2All three Underlyings appreciate over the term of the Securities, and the level of the Least Performing Underlying increases from an Initial Level of 5,000 to a Final Level of 5,750. The Final Level of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to the Step Barrier and the Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the hypothetical Step Return of 36.00%:

Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying = (5,750 – 5,000) / 5,000 = 15.00%

Payment at Maturity = $10 + [$10 × the greater of (i) the Step Return and (ii) the Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying]

= $10 + [$10 × the greater of (i) 36.00% and (ii) 15.00%] = $13.60

Because the Final Level of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to the Step Barrier but the Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying is less than the hypothetical Step Return of 36.00%, the Payment at Maturity is equal to $13.60 per $10.00 Principal Amount of Securities, resulting in a total return on the Securities of 36.00%.

Example 3The level of the Least Performing Underlying decreases from an Initial Level of 30,000 to a Final Level of 25,500. The Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying is negative and expressed as a formula:

Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying = (25,500 – 30,000) / 30,000 = -15.00%

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Payment at Maturity = $10.00

Because the Final Level of the Least Performing Underlying is less than or equal to the Step Barrier but greater than or equal to its Downside Threshold, the Payment at Maturity is equal to $10.00 per $10.00 Principal Amount of Securities, resulting in a zero percent return on the Securities.

Example 4The level of the Least Performing Underlying decreases from an Initial Level of $480.00 to a Final Level of $288.00. The Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying is negative and expressed as a formula:

Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying = ($288.00 – $480.00) / $480.00 = -40.00%

Payment at Maturity = $10 + ($10 × -40.00%) = $6.00

Because the Final Level of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date, the Securities will be fully exposed to any decline in the level of the Least Performing Underlying as of the Final Valuation Date. Therefore, the Payment at Maturity is equal to $6.00 per $10.00 Principal Amount of Securities, even if the other Underlyings have appreciated or have not declined as much, resulting in a total loss on the Securities of 40.00%.

If the Final Level of any Underlying is below its respective Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date, the Securities will be fully exposed to any decline in the Least Performing Underlying, and you will lose more than 25%, and possibly all, of your Principal Amount at maturity.

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Scenario Analysis – Hypothetical Payment at Maturity for each $10.00 Principal Amount of Securities.

Performance of the Least Performing Underlying*

Performance of the Securities

Final Level of the Least Performing Underlying

Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying

Payment at Maturity

Return on Securities Purchased at $10.00 (1)

200

100.00%

$20.00

100.00%

190

90.00%

$19.00

90.00%

180

80.00%

$18.00

80.00%

170

70.00%

$17.00

70.00%

160

60.00%

$16.00

60.00%

150

50.00%

$15.00

50.00%

140

40.00%

$14.00

40.00%

136

36.00%

$13.60

36.00%

130

30.00%

$13.60

36.00%

120

20.00%

$13.60

36.00%

110

10.00%

$13.60

36.00%

100

0.00%

$13.60

36.00%

90

-10.00%

$10.00

0.00%

80

-20.00%

$10.00

0.00%

75

-25.00%

$10.00

0.00%

74

-26.00%

$7.40

-26.00%

70

-30.00%

$7.00

-30.00%

60

-40.00%

$6.00

-40.00%

50

-50.00%

$5.00

-50.00%

40

-60.00%

$4.00

-60.00%

30

-70.00%

$3.00

-70.00%

20

-80.00%

$2.00

-80.00%

10

-90.00%

$1.00

-90.00%

0

-100.00%

$0.00

-100.00%

* The columns above reflect only the performance of the Least Performing Underlying. The Underlyings exclude cash dividend payments on stocks included in the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index.

(1) The “Return on Securities” is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the Payment at Maturity per $10 Principal Amount Security to the purchase price of $10 per Security.

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What are the tax consequences of the Securities?

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 preliminary pricing supplement and is superseded by the following discussion.

The following summary is a general discussion of the principal 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:

purchase the Securities in the original offering; and

hold the Securities as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 

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:

certain financial institutions;

insurance companies;

dealers and certain traders in securities or commodities;

investors holding the Securities as part of a “straddle,” wash sale, conversion transaction, integrated transaction or constructive sale transaction;

U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

regulated investment companies;

real estate investment trusts; or

tax-exempt entities, including “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs” as defined in Section 408 or 408A of the Code, respectively.

 

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.

In addition, we will not attempt to ascertain whether any issuer of any shares to which a Security relates (such shares hereafter referred to as “Underlying Shares”) is treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code or as a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. If any issuer of Underlying Shares were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply, to a U.S. Holder in the case of a PFIC and to a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined below) in the case of a USRPHC, upon the sale, exchange or settlement of the Securities. You should refer to information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other governmental authorities by the issuers of the Underlying Shares and consult your tax adviser regarding the possible consequences to you if any issuer is or becomes a PFIC or USRPHC.

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. Moreover, 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.

This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, 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, each Security should be treated as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, because our counsel’s opinion is based in part on market conditions as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, it is subject to confirmation on the Trade Date.

Due to the absence of statutory, judicial or administrative authorities that directly address the treatment of the Securities or instruments that are similar to the Securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no assurance can be

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given that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or a court will agree with the tax treatment described herein. Accordingly, 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 the Securities 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:

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or

an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

 

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 above regarding the possible application of Section 1297 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.” As a result of the terms of the Securities, including the fact that the Securities are linked to indices in addition to an exchange-traded fund, it is unclear how to calculate the amount of Recharacterized Gain if an investment in the Securities were treated as a constructive ownership transaction. 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 the contingent payment 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 generally 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.

15

 

 

Other alternative federal income tax treatments of the Securities are also 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 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; 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. 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 the payment on the Securities at maturity 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 may be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment 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:

an individual who is classified as a nonresident alien;

a foreign corporation; or

a foreign estate or trust.

 

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

a holder who is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and who is not otherwise a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

certain former citizens or residents of the United States; or

a holder for whom income or gain in respect of the Securities is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

 

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 and the discussion above concerning the possible application of Section 897 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) and 897 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:

the Non-U.S. Holder does not own, directly or by attribution, ten percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of Morgan Stanley stock entitled to vote;

the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation related, directly or indirectly, to Morgan Stanley through stock ownership;

the Non-U.S. Holder is not a bank receiving interest under Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, and

the certification requirement described below has been fulfilled with respect to the beneficial owner.

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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 regarding Sections 871(m) and 897 of the Code 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, 2027 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 Trade Date. However, we will provide an updated determination in the final 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 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

17

 

 

as paying U.S.-source interest or other U.S.-source “fixed or determinable annual or periodical” income (“FDAP income”). If the Securities were recharacterized as debt instruments, FATCA would apply to any payment of amounts treated as interest and to payments of gross proceeds of the disposition (including upon retirement) of the Securities. However, under 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 (other than amounts treated as FDAP income). If withholding were to apply to the Securities, we would 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 under “What Are the Tax Consequences of the Securities,” 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 income tax consequences of an investment in the Securities.

18

 

 

SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust

The SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an exchange-traded fund that seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P MidCap 400® Index. The S&P MidCap 400® Index was developed by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC as a performance benchmark for the medium capitalization segment of the U.S. equities markets. PDR Services, LLC acts as the sponsor and State Street Global Advisors (“SSGA”) acts as the marketing agent for the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust. Information provided to or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by the Trust pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 can be located by reference to Commission file numbers 033-89088 and 811-08972, respectively, through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information may be obtained from other publicly available sources. Neither the issuer nor the agent makes any representation that any such publicly available information regarding the MDY Shares is accurate or complete.

The S&P MidCap 400® Index is published by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC and is intended to provide a benchmark for performance measurement of the medium-capitalization segment of the U.S. equity markets by tracking the stock price movement of 400 companies with mid-sized market capitalizations. See “S&P MidCap 400® Index” in the accompanying index supplement.

We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with the Trust. In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to the Trust, 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 MDY 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 the Trust as in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment linked to the MDY Shares.

“Standard & Poor’s®,” “S&P®,” “S&P 400®,” “Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400® Index” and “S&P MidCap Index” are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P®”), an affiliate of S&P® Global Inc. The Securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by S&P®, S&P® Global Inc. or SSGA. S&P®, S&P® Global Inc. and the Trust make no representations or warranties to the owners of the Securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in the Securities. S&P®, S&P® Global Inc. and the Trust have no obligation or liability in connection with the operation, marketing, trading or sale of the Securities.

Historical Information

The following table sets forth the published high and low Closing Levels, as well as the end-of-quarter Closing Levels, of the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2019 through October 10, 2024. The Closing Level of the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust on October 10, 2024 was $566.49. We obtained the information in the table below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical Closing Levels of the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Closing Level of the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust on the Final Valuation Date.

 

Quarter Begin

Quarter End

Quarterly High ($)

Quarterly Low ($)

Quarterly Close ($)

1/1/2019

3/31/2019

352.26

296.63

345.40

4/1/2019

6/30/2019

361.02

330.13

354.59

7/1/2019

9/30/2019

362.01

334.13

352.47

10/1/2019

12/31/2019

376.09

338.73

375.38

1/1/2020

3/31/2020

384.02

220.85

262.88

4/1/2020

6/30/2020

355.21

243.09

324.49

7/1/2020

9/30/2020

358.67

318.46

338.83

10/1/2020

12/31/2020

421.75

343.51

419.92

1/1/2021

3/31/2021

489.29

413.34

476.05

4/1/2021

6/30/2021

504.81

475.11

491.01

7/1/2021

9/30/2021

506.04

468.36

480.88

10/1/2021

12/31/2021

531.03

485.70

517.68

1/1/2022

3/31/2022

521.70

459.24

490.45

4/1/2022

6/30/2022

493.76

402.57

413.49

7/1/2022

9/30/2022

481.07

401.58

401.66

10/1/2022

12/31/2022

470.48

409.49

442.79

1/1/2023

3/31/2023

497.12

433.10

458.41

4/1/2023

6/30/2023

478.91

439.95

478.91

7/1/2023

9/30/2023

498.33

450.89

456.64

10/1/2023

12/31/2023

512.60

425.08

507.38

1/1/2024

3/31/2024

556.40

491.35

556.40

4/1/2024

6/30/2024

556.17

516.55

535.08

7/1/2024

9/30/2024

572.06

523.84

569.66

10/1/2024

10/10/2024*

569.39

563.98

566.49

* Available information for the indicated period includes data for less than the entire calendar quarter, and, accordingly, the “Quarterly High,” “Quarterly Low” and “Quarterly Close” data indicated are for this shortened period only.

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The graph below illustrates the performance of the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust from January 1, 2008 through October 10, 2024, based on information from Bloomberg. Past performance of the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust is not indicative of the future performance of the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust.

20

 

 

S&P 500® Index

The S&P 500® Index, which is calculated, maintained and published by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P®”), is intended to provide a benchmark for performance measurement of the large capitalization segment of the U.S. equity markets by tracking the stock price movement of 500 companies with large market capitalizations. Component stocks of the S&P 500® Index are required to have a total company level market capitalization that reflects approximately the 85th percentile of the S&P® Total Market Index. The S&P 500® Index measures the relative performance of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time as compared to the performance of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. For additional information about the S&P 500® Index, see the information set forth under “S&P® U.S. Indices—S&P 500® Index” in the accompanying index supplement.

“Standard & Poor’s®,” “S&P®,” “S&P 500®,” “Standard & Poor’s 500” and “500” are trademarks of Standard and Poor’s Financial Services LLC. For more information, see “S&P® U.S. Indices” in the accompanying index supplement.

Historical Information

The following table sets forth the published high and low Closing Levels, as well as the end-of-quarter Closing Levels, of the S&P 500® Index for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2019 through October 10, 2024. The Closing Level of the S&P 500® Index on October 10, 2024 was 5,780.05. We obtained the information in the table below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical Closing Levels of the S&P 500® Index should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Closing Level of the S&P 500® Index on the Final Valuation Date.

 

Quarter Begin

Quarter End

Quarterly High

Quarterly Low

Quarterly Close

1/1/2019

3/31/2019

2,854.88

2,447.89

2,834.40

4/1/2019

6/30/2019

2,954.18

2,744.45

2,941.76

7/1/2019

9/30/2019

3,025.86

2,840.60

2,976.74

10/1/2019

12/31/2019

3,240.02

2,887.61

3,230.78

1/1/2020

3/31/2020

3,386.15

2,237.40

2,584.59

4/1/2020

6/30/2020

3,232.39

2,470.50

3,100.29

7/1/2020

9/30/2020

3,580.84

3,115.86

3,363.00

10/1/2020

12/31/2020

3,756.07

3,269.96

3,756.07

1/1/2021

3/31/2021

3,974.54

3,700.65

3,972.89

4/1/2021

6/30/2021

4,297.50

4,019.87

4,297.50

7/1/2021

9/30/2021

4,536.95

4,258.49

4,307.54

10/1/2021

12/31/2021

4,793.06

4,300.46

4,766.18

1/1/2022

3/31/2022

4,796.56

4,170.70

4,530.41

4/1/2022

6/30/2022

4,582.64

3,666.77

3,785.38

7/1/2022

9/30/2022

4,305.20

3,585.62

3,585.62

10/1/2022

12/31/2022

4,080.11

3,577.03

3,839.50

1/1/2023

3/31/2023

4,179.76

3,808.10

4,109.31

4/1/2023

6/30/2023

4,450.38

4,055.99

4,450.38

7/1/2023

9/30/2023

4,588.96

4,273.53

4,288.05

10/1/2023

12/31/2023

4,783.35

4,117.37

4,769.83

1/1/2024

3/31/2024

5,254.35

4,688.68

5,254.35

4/1/2024

6/30/2024

5,487.03

4,967.23

5,460.48

7/1/2024

9/30/2024

5,762.48

5,186.33

5,762.48

10/1/2024

10/10/2024*

5,792.04

5,695.94

5,780.05

 

* Available information for the indicated period includes data for less than the entire calendar quarter, and, accordingly, the “Quarterly High,” “Quarterly Low” and “Quarterly Close” data indicated are for this shortened period only.

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The graph below illustrates the performance of the S&P 500® Index from January 1, 2008 through October 10, 2024, based on information from Bloomberg. Past performance of the S&P 500® Index is not indicative of the future performance of the S&P 500® Index.

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The Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM

The Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM is a price-weighted index composed of 30 common stocks that is published by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC, the marketing name and a licensed trademark of CME Group Inc., as representative of the broad market of U.S. industry. For additional information about the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM, see the information set forth under “Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM” in the accompanying index supplement.

“Dow Jones,” “Dow Jones Industrial Average,” “Dow Jones Indexes” and “DJIA” are service marks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. For more information, see “Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM” in the accompanying index supplement.

Historical Information

The following table sets forth the published high and low Closing Levels, as well as the end-of-quarter Closing Levels, of the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2019 through October 10, 2024. The Closing Level of the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM on October 10, 2024 was 42,454.12. We obtained the information in the table below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical Closing Levels of the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Closing Level of the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM on the Final Valuation Date.

 

Quarter Begin

Quarter End

Quarterly High

Quarterly Low

Quarterly Close

1/1/2019

3/31/2019

26,091.95

22,686.22

25,928.68

4/1/2019

6/30/2019

26,753.17

24,815.04

26,599.96

7/1/2019

9/30/2019

27,359.16

25,479.42

26,916.83

10/1/2019

12/31/2019

28,645.26

26,078.62

28,538.44

1/1/2020

3/31/2020

29,551.42

18,591.93

21,917.16

4/1/2020

6/30/2020

27,572.44

20,943.51

25,812.88

7/1/2020

9/30/2020

29,100.50

25,706.09

27,781.70

10/1/2020

12/31/2020

30,606.48

26,501.60

30,606.48

1/1/2021

3/31/2021

33,171.37

29,982.62

32,981.55

4/1/2021

6/30/2021

34,777.76

33,153.21

34,502.51

7/1/2021

9/30/2021

35,625.40

33,843.92

33,843.92

10/1/2021

12/31/2021

36,488.63

34,002.92

36,338.30

1/1/2022

3/31/2022

36,799.65

32,632.64

34,678.35

4/1/2022

6/30/2022

35,160.79

29,888.78

30,775.43

7/1/2022

9/30/2022

34,152.01

28,725.51

28,725.51

10/1/2022

12/31/2022

34,589.77

29,202.88

33,147.25

1/1/2023

3/31/2023

34,302.61

31,819.14

33,274.15

4/1/2023

6/30/2023

34,408.06

32,764.65

34,407.60

7/1/2023

9/30/2023

35,630.68

33,507.50

33,507.50

10/1/2023

12/31/2023

37,710.10

32,417.59

37,689.54

1/1/2024

3/31/2024

39,807.37

37,266.67

39,807.37

4/1/2024

6/30/2024

40,003.59

37,735.11

39,118.86

7/1/2024

9/30/2024

42,330.15

38,703.27

42,330.15

10/1/2024

10/10/2024*

42,512.00

41,954.24

42,454.12

 

* Available information for the indicated period includes data for less than the entire calendar quarter, and, accordingly, the “Quarterly High,” “Quarterly Low” and “Quarterly Close” data indicated are for this shortened period only.

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The graph below illustrates the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM from January 1, 2008 through October 10, 2024, based on information from Bloomberg. Past performance of the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM is not indicative of the future performance of the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM.

 

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Correlation of the Underlyings

The graph below illustrates the daily performance of the SPDR® S&P MidCap 400® ETF Trust, the S&P 500® Index and the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM from January 1, 2008 through October 10, 2024. For comparison purposes, each Underlying has been “normalized” to have a closing value of 100 on January 1, 2008 by dividing the Closing Level of that Underlying on each Index Business Day or Trading Day, as applicable, by the Closing Level of that Underlying on January 1, 2008 and multiplying by 100. We obtained the Closing Levels used to determine the normalized Closing Levels set forth below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.

A closer relationship between the daily returns of two or more underlying assets over a given period indicates that such underlying assets have been more positively correlated. Lower (or more-negative) correlation among two or more underlying assets over a given period may indicate that it is less likely that those underlying assets will subsequently move in the same direction.  Therefore, lower correlation among the Underlyings may indicate a greater potential for one of the Underlyings to close below its respective Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date because there may be a greater likelihood that at least one of the Underlyings will decrease in value significantly. However, even if the Underlyings have a higher positive correlation, one or more of the Underlyings may close below their respective Downside Threshold(s) on the Final Valuation Date, as the Underlyings may all decrease in value.  Moreover, the actual correlation among the Underlyings may differ, perhaps significantly, from their historical correlation. A higher Upside Gearing is generally associated with lower correlation among the Underlyings, which may indicate a greater potential for a significant loss on your investment at maturity. See “Key Risks — You are exposed to the price risk of all three Underlyings,” “—Because the Securities are linked to the performance of the least performing among the MDY Shares, the SPX Index and the INDU Index, you are exposed to greater risk of sustaining a significant loss on your investment than if the Securities were linked to just the MDY Shares, just the SPX Index or just the INDU Index” and “—The probability that the Final Level of any Underlying will be less than its respective Downside Threshold will depend on the volatility of such Underlying” herein.

Past performance and correlation of the Underlyings are not indicative of the future performance or correlation of the Underlyings.

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Additional Terms of the Securities

If the terms discussed in this preliminary pricing supplement differ from those discussed in the prospectus supplement, index supplement or prospectus, the terms contained in this preliminary pricing supplement will control.

Some Definitions

We have defined some of the terms that we use frequently in this preliminary pricing supplement below:

“Underlying Publisher” means, with respect to each of the SPX Index and the INDU Index, S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC, or any successor thereto.

“Share Underlying Index” means the S&P MidCap 400® Index , which is the index that the MDY Shares generally seek to track.

“Share Underlying Index Publisher” means S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC, or any successor thereto.

“Index Business Day” means a day, for the SPX Index and the INDU Index, as determined by the Calculation Agent, on which trading is generally conducted on each of the Relevant Exchange(s) for such Underlying, other than a day on which trading on such exchange(s) is scheduled to close prior to the time of the posting of its regular final weekday closing level.

“Trading Day” means a day, for the MDY Shares, as determined by the Calculation Agent, on which trading is generally conducted the New York Stock Exchange LLC, 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.

“Closing Level,” with respect to the SPX Index or the INDU Index, on any Index Business Day means the closing value of such Underlying, or any relevant Successor Index (as defined under “—Discontinuance of the SPX Index or the INDU Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” below) published at the regular weekday close of trading on that Index Business Day by the relevant Underlying Publisher. “Closing Level” with respect to the MDY Shares, subject to the provisions set out under “Discontinuance of the MDY Shares and/or the Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” below, for one share of the MDY Shares (or one unit of any other security for which a Closing Level must be determined) on any Trading Day means:

oif the MDY 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 MDY Shares (or any such other security) are listed,

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

oif the MDY 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 MDY 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 such exchange, or by Nasdaq, as applicable, is not available pursuant to the preceding sentence, then the Closing Level for one share of the MDY Shares (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 (as defined below) occurs with respect to the MDY Shares (or any such other security) or the last reported sale price or the official closing price published by Nasdaq, as applicable, for such Underlying Shares (or any such other security) is not available pursuant to either of the two preceding sentences, then the Closing Level for any Trading Day will be the mean, as determined by the Calculation Agent, of the bid prices for the MDY 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 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“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 Closing Level 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. This definition of “Closing Level” is subject to the provisions under “—Discontinuance of the MDY Shares and/or the Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” below.

“Market Disruption Event” means:

With respect to the MDY Shares,

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(i) the occurrence or existence of any of:

(a)a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading of the MDY Shares on the primary market for the MDY 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 MDY Shares as a result of which the reported trading prices for the MDY 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 MDY Shares, if available, during the one-half hour period preceding the close of the principal trading session in the applicable market, in each case as determined by the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion; or

(b)a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading of stocks then constituting 20 percent or more of the value of the Share Underlying Index for the MDY Shares on the Relevant Exchange(s) 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(s), in each case as determined by the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion; 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 MDY 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 level of the Share Underlying Index will be based on a comparison of (x) the portion of the level of the Share Underlying Index attributable to that security relative to (y) the overall level of the Share Underlying Index, in each case immediately before that suspension or limitation.

For the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred with respect to the MDY Shares: (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 MDY Shares or in the futures or options contract related to the Share Underlying Index or the MDY Shares will not constitute a Market Disruption Event, (3) a suspension of trading in futures or options contracts on the Share Underlying Index or the MDY 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 MDY 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 MDY Shares are traded will not include any time when such securities market is itself closed for trading under ordinary circumstances. Regarding any permanent discontinuance of trading in the MDY Shares, see “Discontinuance of the MDY Shares and/or the Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” below.

With respect to the SPX Index and the INDU Index,

(i) the occurrence or existence of any of:

(a) a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading of securities then constituting 20 percent or more of the value of such Underlying (or a Successor Index) on the Relevant Exchange(s) 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(s), 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 of the value of such Underlying (or a Successor Index) during the last one-half hour preceding the close of the principal trading session on such Relevant Exchange(s) are materially inaccurate, or

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(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 such Underlying (or a 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 Securities.

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

For the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists at any time with respect to the SPX Index or the INDU Index: (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 such Underlying 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 such Underlying 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 such Underlying are traded will not include any time when such securities market is itself closed for trading under ordinary circumstances.

“Relevant Exchange” means, with respect to the SPX Index, the INDU Index and the Share Underlying Index, or the respective Successor Indices, the primary exchange(s) or market(s) of trading for (i) any security then included in such index, or any Successor Index, and (ii) any futures or options contracts related to such index or to any security then included in such index.

Postponement of Final Valuation Date and Maturity Date

If the scheduled Final Valuation Date is not an Index Business Day or Trading Day, as applicable, with respect to any Underlying or if a Market Disruption Event with respect to any Underlying occurs on such date, the Closing Level for such Underlying for such date will be determined on the immediately succeeding Index Business Day or Trading Day, as applicable, on which no Market Disruption Event shall have occurred with respect to such Underlying; provided that the Closing Level of that affected Underlying with respect to the Final Valuation Date will not be determined on a date later than the fifth scheduled Index Business Day or Trading Day, as applicable, after the scheduled Final Valuation Date, and if such date is not an Index Business Day or Trading Day, as applicable, or if there is a Market Disruption Event with respect to such Underlying on such date, the Calculation Agent will (i) if the affected Underlying is the SPX Index or the INDU Index, determine the Closing Level of such Underlying on such date in accordance with the formula for calculating such Underlying last in effect prior to the commencement of the Market Disruption Event (or prior to the non-Index Business Day), without rebalancing or substitution, 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, limitation or non-Index Business Day) on such date of each security most recently constituting such Underlying, and (ii) if the affected Underlying is the MDY Shares, determine the closing price of the MDY Shares on such fifth Trading Day based on the mean, as determined by the Calculation Agent, of the bid prices for the MDY Shares for such date 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. 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 Closing Level of the MDY Shares 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.

If the Final Valuation Date with respect to any Underlying is postponed so that it falls less than two business days prior to the scheduled Maturity Date, the Maturity Date will be the second business day following the Final Valuation Date, as postponed.

Antidilution Adjustments

If the MDY 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 prior Adjustment Factor and the number of shares issued in such stock split or reverse stock split with respect to one share of the MDY Shares. No such adjustment to the Adjustment Factor will be required unless such adjustment would require a change of at least 0.1% in the amount being adjusted as then in effect. Any number so adjusted will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths being rounded upward.

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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:

 

othe lowest amount that a Qualified Financial Institution would charge to effect this assumption or undertaking, plus

othe reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the holders of the Securities in preparing any documentation necessary for this assumption or undertaking.

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:

 

ono quotation of the kind referred to above is obtained, or

oevery quotation of that kind obtained is objected to within five business days after the due date as described above.

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 Valuation 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:

 

oA-2 or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or any successor, or any other comparable rating then used by that rating agency, or

oP-2 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service or any successor, or any other comparable rating then used by that rating agency.

Discontinuance of the SPX Index or the INDU Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation

If an Underlying Publisher discontinues publication of the relevant Underlying and such Underlying Publisher 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 such discontinued Underlying (such index being referred to herein as a “Successor Index”), then any subsequent Closing Level of the affected Underlying will be determined by reference to the published value of such Successor Index at the regular weekday close of trading on any Index Business Day that such Closing Level is to be determined, and, to the extent the Closing Level of the Successor Index differs from the Closing Level of the relevant Underlying at the time of such substitution, proportionate adjustments will be made by the Calculation Agent to the relevant Initial Level, Downside Threshold and Step Barrier.

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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 the Depositary, 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 such Securities, in accordance with the standard rules and procedures of the Depositary and its direct and indirect participants.

If an Underlying Publisher discontinues publication of the relevant Underlying prior to, and such discontinuance is continuing on, the Final Valuation Date and the Calculation Agent determines, in its sole discretion, that no Successor Index is available at such time, then the Calculation Agent will determine the Closing Level of such Underlying for such date. The Closing Level of such Underlying will be computed by the Calculation Agent in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating such Underlying 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 the Final Valuation Date of each security most recently constituting such Underlying without any rebalancing or substitution of such securities following such discontinuance. Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, discontinuance of the publication of any Underlying may adversely affect the value of the Securities.

If at any time the method of calculating an Underlying or Successor Index, or the value thereof, is changed in a material respect, or if an Underlying or Successor Index is in any other way modified so that such index does not, in the opinion of the Calculation Agent, fairly represent the value of such index had such changes or modifications not been made, then, from and after such time, the Calculation Agent will, at the close of business in New York City on each date on which the Closing Level of such Underlying is to be determined, make such calculations and adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the Calculation Agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a value of a stock index comparable to such Underlying or such Successor Index, as the case may be, as if such changes or modifications had not been made, and the Calculation Agent will calculate the Closing Level of such Underlying with reference to such Underlying or such Successor Index, as adjusted. Accordingly, if the method of calculating an Underlying or Successor Index is modified so that the value of such index is a fraction of what it would have been if it had not been modified (e.g., due to a split in the index), then the Calculation Agent will adjust such index in order to arrive at a value of such Underlying or such Successor Index as if it had not been modified (e.g., as if such split had not occurred).

Discontinuance of the MDY Shares and/or the Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation

If trading in the MDY Shares on every applicable national securities exchange, on the OTC Bulletin Board and in the over-the-counter market is permanently discontinued or the MDY Shares are liquidated or otherwise terminated (a “Discontinuance or Liquidation Event”), the Closing Level of the MDY Shares on any Trading Day 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) and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Closing Level of the MDY Shares 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 a Closing Level for the MDY Shares was available.

If, subsequent to a Discontinuance or Liquidation Event, the Share Underlying Index Publisher discontinues publication of the Share Underlying Index and the Share Underlying Index Publisher or another entity (including MS & Co.) publishes a successor or substitute index that MS & Co., as 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 Closing Level for the MDY Shares 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 value of the Successor Index differs from the 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 the Depositary, 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 such Securities, in accordance with the standard rules and procedures of the Depositary 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, the Final Valuation Date, and the Calculation Agent determines, in its sole discretion, that no Successor Index is available at such time, then the Calculation Agent will determine the Closing Level for the MDY Shares for such date. Such Closing Level will be computed by the Calculation Agent in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating such Share Underlying Index last in effect prior to such discontinuance, using the Closing Level (or, if trading in the relevant securities has been materially suspended or materially limited, its good faith estimate of the Closing Level 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 constituting 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.

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Trustee

The “Trustee” for each offering of notes issued under our Senior Debt Indenture, including the Securities, will be The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation.

Agent

The “agent” is MS & Co.

Calculation Agent and Calculations

The “Calculation Agent” for the Securities will be MS & Co. As Calculation Agent, MS & Co. will determine, among other things, the Initial Levels, the Downside Thresholds, the Step Barriers, the Step Return, the Final Levels, the Underlying Returns and the Payment at Maturity.

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 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 per Security 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 number of Securities 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 owner of the Securities, including with respect to certain determinations and judgments that the Calculation Agent must make in determining the Final Level or whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred. See “—Discontinuance of the SPX Index or the INDU Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation,” “—Discontinuance of the MDY Shares and/or the Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” and the definition of Market Disruption Event. MS & Co. is obligated to carry out its duties and functions as Calculation Agent in good faith and using its reasonable judgment.

Issuer Notice to Registered Security Holders, the Trustee and the Depositary

In the event that the Maturity Date of the Securities is postponed due to a postponement of the Final Valuation 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 Final Valuation Date as postponed.

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.

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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, $10 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. See also “Use of Proceeds” in the accompanying prospectus.

On or prior to the Trade 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 the Underlyings or the constituent stocks of the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index, in futures or options contracts on the Underlyings or the constituent stocks of the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index, as well as in other instruments related to the Underlyings that they may wish to use in connection with such hedging. Such purchase activity could increase the Initial Level of any of the Underlyings, and, therefore, could increase the Downside Threshold of any of the Underlyings, which is the level at or above which such Underlying must close on the Final Valuation Date so that you do not suffer a significant loss on your initial investment in the Securities (depending also on the performance of the other Underlyings). In addition, through our affiliates, we are likely to modify our hedge position throughout the term of the Securities, including on the Final Valuation Date, by purchasing and selling the Underlyings or the constituent stocks of the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index, futures or options contracts on the Underlyings or the constituent stocks of the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index, as well as other instruments related to the Underlyings that we may wish to use in connection with such hedging activities, including by purchasing or selling any such securities or instruments on the Final Valuation Date. 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 Final Valuation Date approaches. We cannot give any assurance that our hedging activities will not affect the level of any of the Underlyings, and, therefore, adversely affect the value of the Securities or the amount payable at maturity, if any (depending also on the performance of the other Underlyings).

Supplemental Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest

MS & Co. will act as the agent for this offering. We will agree to sell to MS & Co., and MS & Co. will agree to purchase, all of the Securities at the issue price less the underwriting discount indicated on the cover of this document. UBS Financial Services Inc., acting as dealer, will receive from MS & Co. a fixed sales commission of $0.30 for each Security it sells.

MS & Co. is our affiliate 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, including the level of the Step Return, such that for each Security the estimated value on the Trade Date will be no lower than the minimum level described in “Additional Information about Morgan Stanley, MSFL and the Securities” on page 2.

MS & Co. will conduct this offering in compliance with the requirements of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“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.

In order to facilitate the offering of the Securities, the agent may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Securities. Specifically, the agent may sell more Securities than it is obligated to purchase in connection with the offering, creating a naked short position in the Securities, for its own account. The agent must close out any naked short position by purchasing the Securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the agent is concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. As an additional means of facilitating the offering, the agent may bid for, and purchase, the Securities or the constituent stocks of the SPX Index, the INDU Index or the Share Underlying Index in the open market to stabilize the price of the Securities. Any of these activities may raise or maintain the market price of the Securities above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the Securities. The agent is not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time. An affiliate of the agent has entered into a hedging transaction with us in connection with this offering of Securities. See “—Use of Proceeds and Hedging” above.

Form of Securities

The Securities will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global securities which will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and will be registered in the name of a nominee of the Depositary. The Depositary’s nominee will be the only registered holder of the Securities. Your beneficial interest in the Securities will be evidenced solely by entries on the books of the securities intermediary acting on your behalf as a direct or indirect participant in the Depositary. In this preliminary pricing supplement, all references to payments or notices to you will mean payments or notices to the Depositary, as the registered holder of the Securities, for distribution to participants in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures. For more information

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regarding the Depositary and book entry notes, please read “Form of Securities—The Depositary” and “Securities Offered on a Global Basis Through the Depositary” in the accompanying prospectus.

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