MSTLW Morgan Stanley (PK)

October 2024

Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. 4,337

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

Dated October 11, 2024

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Structured Investments

Opportunities in U.S. Equities

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley

Principal at Risk Securities

The Buffered PLUS offered are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley Finance LLC (“MSFL”) and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley. The Buffered PLUS will pay no interest, provide a minimum payment at maturity of only 10% of the stated principal amount and have the terms described in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS, index supplement and prospectus, as supplemented or modified by this document. At maturity, if the underlying index has appreciated in value, investors will receive the stated principal amount of their investment plus leveraged upside performance of the underlying index. If the underlying index has depreciated in value, but the underlying index has not declined beyond 90% of the initial index value, which we refer to as the downside threshold value, investors will lose 1% for every 1% decline beyond the initial index value. Therefore, the buffer amount will not apply to the first 10% of depreciation of the underlying index, to which investors will be fully exposed. If the underlying index has depreciated in value below the downside threshold value, but the underlying index has not declined beyond the downside threshold value by more than the specified buffer amount, investors will receive a payment at maturity of $900 per stated principal amount and will therefore lose 10% of their investment. However, if the underlying index has declined beyond the downside threshold value by more than the buffer amount, investors will lose 10% of their investment plus an additional 1% for every 1% decline beyond 80% of the initial index value, subject to the minimum payment at maturity of 10% of the stated principal amount. Investors may lose up to 90% of the stated principal amount of the Buffered PLUS. These long-dated Buffered PLUS are for investors who seek an equity index-based return and who are willing to risk their principal and forgo current income in exchange for the leverage and buffer features that in each case apply to a limited range of performance of the underlying index. The Buffered PLUS are notes issued as part of MSFL’s Series A Global Medium-Term Notes program.

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

Summary Terms
Issuer:		Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Guarantor:		Morgan Stanley
Maturity date:		October 22, 2029
Underlying index:		S&P 500® Index
Aggregate principal amount:		$
Payment at maturity per Buffered PLUS:		If the final index value is greater than the initial index value: $1,000 + leveraged upside payment If the final index value is less than or equal to the initial index value but greater than the downside threshold value: $1,000 × index performance factor Under these circumstances, investors will lose some, and up to 10%, of their investment. If the final index value is less than or equal to the downside threshold value but has decreased from the downside threshold value by an amount less than or equal to the buffer amount of 10%: $900 Under these circumstances, investors will lose 10% of their investment. If the final index value is less than the downside threshold value and has decreased from the downside threshold value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%: ($1,000 × the index performance factor) + $100 Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than $900 per stated principal amount. However, under no circumstances will the Buffered PLUS pay less than $100 per Buffered PLUS at maturity.
Leveraged upside payment:		$1,000 × leverage factor × index percent increase
Index percent increase:		(final index value – initial index value) / initial index value
Initial index value:		5,780.05, which is the index closing value on October 10, 2024
Downside threshold value:		5,202.045, which is 90% of the initial index value
Final index value:		The index closing value on the valuation date
Valuation date:		October 17, 2029, subject to postponement for non-index business days and certain market disruption events
Leverage factor:		114.25%
Buffer amount:		10%, applicable as described herein
Minimum payment at maturity:		$100 per Buffered PLUS (10% of the stated principal amount)
Index performance factor:		Final index value divided by the initial index value
Stated principal amount:		$1,000 per Buffered PLUS
Issue price:		$1,000 per Buffered PLUS (see “Commissions and issue price” below)
Pricing date:		October 17, 2024
Original issue date:		October 22, 2024 (3 business days after the pricing date)
CUSIP:		61776WFB4
ISIN:		US61776WFB46
Listing:		The Buffered PLUS will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Agent:		Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS & Co.”), an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. See “Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest.”
Estimated value on the pricing date:		Approximately $983.90 per Buffered PLUS, or within $40.00 of that estimate. See “Investment Summary” beginning on page 2.
Commissions and issue price:	Price to public(1)		Agent’s commissions and fees(2)	Proceeds to us(3)
Per Buffered PLUS	$1,000		$	$
Total	$		$	$

(1)The Buffered PLUS will be sold only to investors purchasing the Buffered PLUS in fee-based advisory accounts.

(2)MS & Co. expects to sell all of the Buffered PLUS that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated dealer at a price of $ per Buffered PLUS, for further sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts at the price to public of $1,000 per Buffered PLUS. MS & Co. will not receive a sales commission with respect to the Buffered PLUS. See “Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest.” For additional information, see “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS.

(3)See “Use of proceeds and hedging” on page 14.

The Buffered PLUS involve risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this document or the accompanying product supplement, index supplement and prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The Buffered PLUS 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.

You should read this document together with the related product supplement, index supplement and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below. When you read the accompanying product 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. Please also see “Additional Terms of the Buffered PLUS” and “Additional Information About the Buffered PLUS” at the end of this document.

As used in this document, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Morgan Stanley or MSFL, or Morgan Stanley and MSFL collectively, as the context requires.

 Product Supplement for PLUS dated November 16, 2023  Index Supplement dated November 16, 2023

Prospectus dated April 12, 2024

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Investment Summary

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

The Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029 (the "Buffered PLUS") can be used:

￭As an alternative to direct exposure to the underlying index that enhances returns for any potential positive performance of the underlying index

￭To enhance returns and potentially outperform the underlying index in a bullish scenario, with no limitation on the appreciation potential

￭To achieve similar levels of upside exposure to the underlying index as a direct investment, while using fewer dollars by taking advantage of the leverage factor

￭To obtain a buffer within a specified range of negative performance of the underlying index, although the Buffered PLUS will be exposed to the first 10% of depreciation of the underlying index from the initial index value to the final index value

 

Maturity:	5 years
Leverage factor:	114.25%
Maximum payment at maturity:	None
Buffer amount:	10%, applicable as described herein. The buffer amount will not apply to the first 10% of depreciation of the underlying index, to which investors will be fully exposed.
Minimum payment at maturity:	$100 per Buffered PLUS (10% of the stated principal amount). Investors may lose up to 90% of the stated principal amount of the Buffered PLUS.
Coupon:	None

The original issue price of each Buffered PLUS is $1,000. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the Buffered PLUS, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the Buffered PLUS on the pricing date will be less than $1,000. We estimate that the value of each Buffered PLUS on the pricing date will be approximately $983.90, or within $40.00 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the Buffered PLUS as determined on the pricing date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.

What goes into the estimated value on the pricing date?

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

In determining the economic terms of the Buffered PLUS, including the leverage factor, the buffer amount and the minimum payment at maturity, 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 Buffered PLUS would be more favorable to you.

What is the relationship between the estimated value on the pricing date and the secondary market price of the Buffered PLUS?

The price at which MS & Co. purchases the Buffered PLUS in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying index, may vary from, and be lower than, the estimated value on the pricing date, because the

October 2024 Page 2 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

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 Buffered PLUS are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the Buffered PLUS in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying index, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value. We expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.

MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the Buffered PLUS, and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time.

 

October 2024 Page 3 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Key Investment Rationale

The Buffered PLUS offer leveraged upside exposure to the underlying index, while providing limited protection against negative performance of the underlying index. At maturity, if the underlying index has appreciated, investors will receive the stated principal amount of their investment plus leveraged upside performance of the underlying index. If the underlying index has depreciated in value, but the underlying index has not declined beyond the downside threshold value, investors will lose 1% for every 1% decline beyond the initial index value. Therefore, the buffer amount will not apply to the first 10% of depreciation of the underlying index, to which investors will be fully exposed. If the underlying index has depreciated in value below the downside threshold value, but the underlying index has not declined beyond the downside threshold value by more than the specified buffer amount, investors will receive a payment at maturity of $900 per stated principal amount and will therefore lose 10% of their investment. However, if the underlying index has declined beyond the downside threshold value by more than the buffer amount, the investor will lose 10% of their investment plus an additional 1% for every 1% decline beyond 80% of the initial index value, subject to the minimum payment at maturity. Investors may lose up to 90% of the stated principal amount of the Buffered PLUS.

Leveraged Performance	The Buffered PLUS offer investors an opportunity to capture enhanced returns for any positive performance relative to a direct investment in the underlying index.
Upside Scenario	The underlying index increases in value, and, at maturity, the Buffered PLUS redeem for the stated principal amount of $1,000 plus 114.25% of the index percent increase.
Downside Scenario 1	The underlying index declines in value, but does not decline beyond the downside threshold value, and, at maturity, the Buffered PLUS redeem for less than the stated principal amount by an amount that is proportionate to the percentage decrease of the underlying index from the initial index value. In this scenario, you will be fully exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to the first 10% decline in the value of the underlying index (as measured from the initial index value to the final index closing value). Therefore, the buffer amount will not apply to the first 10% of depreciation of the underlying index, to which investors will be fully exposed.
Downside Scenario 2	The underlying index declines in value below the downside threshold value, but does not decline beyond the downside threshold value by more than the buffer amount, and, at maturity, the Buffered PLUS redeem for $900, or 90% of the stated principal amount. Under these circumstances, investors will lose 10% of their investment.
Downside Scenario 3	The underlying index declines in value below the downside threshold value by more than 10%, and, at maturity, the Buffered PLUS redeem for less than the stated principal amount by an amount that is proportionate to the percentage decrease of the underlying index from the initial index value, plus the buffer amount of 10%. (Example: if the underlying index decreases in value by 50%, the Buffered PLUS will redeem for $600, or 60% of the stated principal amount.) The minimum payment at maturity is $100 per Buffered PLUS.

 

October 2024 Page 4 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

How the Buffered PLUS Work

Payoff Diagram 

The payoff diagram below illustrates the payment at maturity on the Buffered PLUS based on the following terms:

Stated principal amount:	$1,000 per Buffered PLUS
Leverage factor:	114.25%
Buffer amount:	10%, applicable as described herein. The buffer amount will not apply to the first 10% of depreciation of the underlying index, to which investors will be fully exposed.
Maximum payment at maturity:	None
Minimum payment at maturity:	$100 per Buffered PLUS
Buffered PLUS Payoff Diagram

How it works

￭Upside Scenario. If the final index value is greater than the initial index value, investors will receive the $1,000 stated principal amount plus 114.25% of the appreciation of the underlying index over the term of the Buffered PLUS.

￭If the underlying index appreciates 2%, the investor would receive a 2.285% return, or $1,022.85 per Buffered PLUS.

￭Downside Scenario 1. If the final index value is less than or equal to the initial index value but greater than the downside threshold value, investors will receive an amount that is less than the stated principal amount by an amount that is proportionate to the percentage decrease of the value of the underlying index from the initial index value. Therefore, the buffer amount will not apply to the first 10% of depreciation of the underlying index, to which investors will be fully exposed.

￭For example, if the underlying index depreciates 5%, investors would lose 5% of their principal and receive only $950 per security at maturity, or 95% of the stated principal amount.

￭Downside Scenario 2. If the final index value is less than or equal to the downside threshold value but has decreased from the downside threshold value by an amount less than or equal to the buffer amount of 10%, investors will receive $900 per Buffered PLUS at maturity, or 90% of the stated principal amount. Under these circumstances, investors will lose 10% of their investment.

￭If the underlying index depreciates 15%, investors will receive $900, or 90% of the stated principal amount.

October 2024 Page 5 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

￭Downside Scenario 3. If the final index value is less than the downside threshold value and has decreased from the downside threshold value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%, investors will receive an amount that is less than the stated principal amount by an amount that is proportionate to the percentage decrease of the value of the underlying index from the initial index value, plus the buffer amount of 10%. The minimum payment at maturity is $100 per Buffered PLUS.

￭For example, if the underlying index depreciates 50%, investors would lose 40% of their principal and receive only $600 per Buffered PLUS at maturity, or 60% of the stated principal amount.

October 2024 Page 6 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Risk Factors

This section describes the material risks relating to the Buffered PLUS. For further discussion of these and other risks, you should read the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS, index supplement and prospectus. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers in connection with your investment in the Buffered PLUS.

Risks Relating to an Investment in the Buffered PLUS

￭The Buffered PLUS do not pay interest and provide a minimum payment at maturity of only 10% of your principal. The terms of the Buffered PLUS differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that the Buffered PLUS do not pay interest, and provide a minimum payment at maturity of only 10% of the stated principal amount of the Buffered PLUS, subject to our credit risk. If the final index value is less than the downside threshold value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%, you will receive for each Buffered PLUS that you hold a payment at maturity that is less than the stated principal amount of each Buffered PLUS by an amount proportionate to the decline in the closing value of the underlying index from the initial index value, plus $100 per Buffered PLUS. Accordingly, investors may lose up to 90% of the stated principal amount of the Buffered PLUS.

￭The Buffered PLUS will be exposed to the first 10% of depreciation of the underlying index from the initial index value to the final index value. Although the Buffered PLUS provide a buffer amount of 10%, the buffer amount applies only if and to the extent the final index value is less than the downside threshold value. Accordingly, the Buffered PLUS will be exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to the first 10% of depreciation from the initial index value to the final index value. Therefore, the buffer amount will not apply to the first 10% of depreciation of the underlying index, to which investors will be fully exposed.

￭The market price of the Buffered PLUS will be influenced by many unpredictable factors. Several factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence the value of the Buffered PLUS in the secondary market and the price at which MS & Co. may be willing to purchase or sell the Buffered PLUS in the secondary market, including the value, volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in value) and dividend yield of the underlying index, interest and yield rates in the market, time remaining until the Buffered PLUS mature, geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the underlying index or equities markets generally and which may affect the final index value of the underlying index and any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads. Generally, the longer the time remaining to maturity, the more the market price of the Buffered PLUS will be affected by the other factors described above. The value of the underlying index may be, and has recently been, volatile, and we can give you no assurance that the volatility will lessen. See “S&P 500® Index Overview” below. You may receive less, and possibly significantly less, than the stated principal amount per Buffered PLUS if you try to sell your Buffered PLUS prior to maturity.

￭The Buffered PLUS are subject to our credit risk, and any actual or anticipated changes to our credit ratings or credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the Buffered PLUS. You are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the Buffered PLUS at maturity and therefore you are subject to our credit risk. If we default on our obligations under the Buffered PLUS, your investment would be at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment. As a result, the market value of the Buffered PLUS 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 the credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect the market value of the Buffered PLUS.

￭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 amount payable on the Buffered PLUS is not linked to the value of the underlying index at any time other than the valuation date. The final index value will be based on the index closing value on the valuation date, subject to postponement for non-index business days and certain market disruption events. Even if the value of the underlying index appreciates prior to the valuation date but then drops by the valuation date, the payment at maturity will be less, and may be significantly less, than it would have been had the payment at maturity been linked to the value of the underlying index prior to such drop. Although the actual value of the underlying index on the stated maturity date or at other times during the term of the Buffered PLUS may be

October 2024 Page 7 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

higher than the index closing value on the valuation date, the payment at maturity will be based solely on the index closing value on the valuation date.

￭Investing in the Buffered PLUS is not equivalent to investing in the underlying index. Investing in the Buffered PLUS is not equivalent to investing in the underlying index or its component stocks. As an investor in the Buffered PLUS, you will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to stocks that constitute the underlying index.

￭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 Buffered PLUS in the original issue price reduce the economic terms of the Buffered PLUS, cause the estimated value of the Buffered PLUS to be less than the original issue price and will adversely affect secondary market prices. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the prices, if any, at which dealers, including MS & Co., may be willing to purchase the Buffered PLUS in secondary market transactions will likely be significantly lower than the original issue price, because secondary market prices will exclude the issuing, selling, structuring and hedging-related costs that are included in the original issue price and borne by you and because the secondary market prices will reflect our secondary market credit spreads and the bid-offer spread that any dealer would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type as well as other factors.

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

However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the Buffered PLUS are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the Buffered PLUS in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying index, 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 Buffered PLUS is determined by reference to our pricing and valuation models, which may differ from those of other dealers and is not a maximum or minimum secondary market price. These pricing and valuation models are proprietary and rely in part on subjective views of certain market inputs and certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, because there is no market-standard way to value these types of securities, our models may yield a higher estimated value of the Buffered PLUS than those generated by others, including other dealers in the market, if they attempted to value the Buffered PLUS. In addition, the estimated value on the pricing date does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which dealers, including MS & Co., would be willing to purchase your Buffered PLUS in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your Buffered PLUS at any time after the date of this document 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 Buffered PLUS will be influenced by many unpredictable factors” above.

￭The Buffered PLUS will not be listed on any securities exchange and secondary trading may be limited. The Buffered PLUS will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the Buffered PLUS. MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the Buffered PLUS 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 Buffered PLUS, taking into account its bid/offer spread, our credit spreads, market volatility, the notional size of the proposed sale, the cost of unwinding any related hedging positions, the time remaining to maturity and the likelihood that it will be able to resell the Buffered PLUS. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Buffered PLUS easily. Since other broker-dealers may not participate significantly in the secondary market for the Buffered PLUS, the price at which you may be able to trade your Buffered PLUS 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 Buffered PLUS, it is likely that there would be no secondary market for the Buffered PLUS. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your Buffered PLUS to maturity.

￭The calculation agent, which is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of MSFL, will make determinations with respect to the Buffered PLUS. As calculation agent, MS & Co. will determine the initial index value and the final index value, and will calculate the amount of cash you receive at maturity. Moreover, certain determinations made by MS & Co., in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, such as with respect to the occurrence or non-occurrence of market disruption events and the selection of a successor index or calculation of the final index value in the event of a market disruption event or discontinuance of the underlying index. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity. For further information regarding these types of determinations, see “Description of PLUS—Postponement of Valuation Date(s)” and “—Calculation Agent and Calculations” and

October 2024 Page 8 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

related definitions in the accompanying product supplement. In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the Buffered PLUS on the pricing date.

￭Hedging and trading activity by our affiliates could potentially adversely affect the value of the Buffered PLUS. One or more of our affiliates and/or third-party dealers expect to carry out hedging activities related to the Buffered PLUS (and possibly to other instruments linked to the underlying index or its component stocks), including trading in the stocks that constitute the underlying index as well as in other instruments related to the underlying index. As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the Buffered PLUS, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the valuation date approaches. Some of our affiliates also trade the stocks that constitute the underlying index and other financial instruments related to the underlying index 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 October 10, 2024 could potentially increase the initial index value, and, therefore, could increase the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the valuation date so that investors do not suffer a loss on their initial investment in the Buffered PLUS. Additionally, such hedging or trading activities during the term of the Buffered PLUS, including on the valuation date, could adversely affect the closing value of the underlying index on the valuation date, and, accordingly, the amount of cash an investor will receive at maturity.

￭The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered PLUS are uncertain. Please read the discussion under “Additional Information—Tax considerations” in this document and the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS (together, the “Tax Disclosure Sections”) concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered PLUS. There is no direct legal authority regarding the proper U.S. federal tax treatment of the Buffered PLUS, and we do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). Consequently, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Buffered PLUS are uncertain, and the IRS or a court might not agree with the tax treatment of a Buffered PLUS as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment of the Buffered PLUS, the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Buffered PLUS, including the timing and character of income recognized by U.S. Holders and the withholding tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders, might be materially and adversely affected. For example, there is a risk (which, depending on the market conditions on the pricing date, could be substantial) that the IRS could seek to recharacterize the Buffered PLUS as debt instruments. Moreover, future legislation, Treasury regulations or IRS guidance could adversely affect the U.S. federal tax treatment of the Buffered PLUS, possibly retroactively.

Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered PLUS, including possible alternative treatments, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

Risks Relating to the Underlying Index

￭Adjustments to the underlying index could adversely affect the value of the Buffered PLUS. The underlying index publisher may add, delete or substitute the stocks constituting the underlying index or make other methodological changes that could change the value of the underlying index. The underlying index publisher may discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of the 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 underlying index and is not precluded from considering indices that are calculated and published by the calculation agent or any of its affiliates. If the calculation agent determines that there is no appropriate successor index, the payment at maturity on the Buffered PLUS will be an amount based on the closing prices at maturity of the securities composing the underlying index at the time of such discontinuance, without rebalancing or substitution, computed by the calculation agent in accordance with the formula for calculating the underlying index last in effect prior to discontinuance of the underlying index.

October 2024 Page 9 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

S&P 500® Index Overview

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.

Information as of market close on October 10, 2024:

Bloomberg Ticker Symbol:	SPX
Current Index Value:	5,780.05
52 Weeks Ago:	4,358.24
52 Week High (on 10/9/2024):	5,792.04
52 Week Low (on 10/27/2023):	4,117.37

The following graph sets forth the daily index closing values of the underlying index for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2019 through October 10, 2024. The related table sets forth the published high and low closing values, as well as end-of-quarter closing values, of the underlying index for each quarter in the same period. The index closing value of the underlying index on October 10, 2024 was 5,780.05. We obtained the information in the graph and table below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The underlying index has at times experienced periods of high volatility. You should not take the historical values of the underlying index as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the index closing value of the underlying index on the valuation date.

S&P 500® Index Daily Index Closing Values January 1, 2019 to October 10, 2024

October 2024 Page 10 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

 

S&P 500® Index	High	Low	Period End
2019
First Quarter	2,854.88	2,447.89	2,834.40
Second Quarter	2,954.18	2,744.45	2,941.76
Third Quarter	3,025.86	2,840.60	2,976.74
Fourth Quarter	3,240.02	2,887.61	3,230.78
2020
First Quarter	3,386.15	2,237.40	2,584.59
Second Quarter	3,232.39	2,470.50	3,100.29
Third Quarter	3,580.84	3,115.86	3,363.00
Fourth Quarter	3,756.07	3,269.96	3,756.07
2021
First Quarter	3,974.54	3,700.65	3,972.89
Second Quarter	4,297.50	4,019.87	4,297.50
Third Quarter	4,536.95	4,258.49	4,307.54
Fourth Quarter	4,793.06	4,300.46	4,766.18
2022
First Quarter	4,796.56	4,170.70	4,530.41
Second Quarter	4,582.64	3,666.77	3,785.38
Third Quarter	4,305.20	3,585.62	3,585.62
Fourth Quarter	4,080.11	3,577.03	3,839.50
2023
First Quarter	4,179.76	3,808.10	4,109.31
Second Quarter	4,450.38	4,055.99	4,450.38
Third Quarter	4,588.96	4,273.53	4,288.05
Fourth Quarter	4,783.35	4,117.37	4,769.83
2024
First Quarter	5,254.35	4,688.68	5,254.35
Second Quarter	5,487.03	4,967.23	5,460.48
Third Quarter	5,762.48	5,186.33	5,762.48
Fourth Quarter (through October 10, 2024)	5,792.04	5,695.94	5,780.05

 

“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.

October 2024 Page 11 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Additional Terms of the Buffered PLUS

Please read this information in conjunction with the terms on the front cover of this document.

Additional Terms:
If the terms described herein are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying product supplement, index supplement or prospectus, the terms described herein shall control.
Underlying index publisher:	S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC or any successor thereof
Interest:	None
Bull market or bear market PLUS:	Bull market PLUS
Postponement of maturity date:	If the scheduled valuation date is not an index business day or if a market disruption event occurs on that day so that the valuation date as postponed falls less than two business days prior to the scheduled maturity date, the maturity date of the Buffered PLUS will be postponed to the second business day following that valuation date as postponed.
Denominations:	$1,000 per Buffered PLUS and integral multiples thereof
Trustee:	The Bank of New York Mellon
Calculation agent:	MS & Co.
Issuer notice to registered security holders, the trustee and the depositary:	In the event that the maturity date is postponed due to postponement of the 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 Buffered PLUS 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 Buffered PLUS in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given to such registered holder, whether or not such registered holder receives the notice.  The issuer shall give such notice as promptly as possible, and in no case later than (i) with respect to notice of postponement of the maturity date, the business day immediately preceding the scheduled maturity date, and (ii) with respect to notice of the date to which the maturity date has been rescheduled, the business day immediately following the actual valuation date for determining the final index value. 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 to be delivered with respect to each stated principal amount of the Buffered PLUS, 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 Buffered PLUS to the trustee for delivery to the depositary, as holder of the Buffered PLUS, on the maturity date.

 

October 2024 Page 12 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Additional Information About the Buffered PLUS

Additional Information:
Minimum ticketing size:	$1,000 / 1 Buffered PLUS
Tax considerations:	There is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered PLUS due to the lack of governing authority. Our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, is unable to render a definitive opinion on the tax treatment of the Buffered PLUS at this time as such opinion is dependent in part upon market conditions on the pricing date. Our counsel’s opinion will therefore be provided only on the pricing date. However, under current law, and based on current market conditions, our counsel believes that it is at least reasonable to treat a Buffered PLUS as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming this treatment of the Buffered PLUS is respected and subject to the discussion in “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result based on current law: ￭A U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize taxable income over the term of the Buffered PLUS prior to settlement, other than pursuant to a sale or exchange. ￭Upon sale, exchange or settlement of the Buffered PLUS, a U.S. Holder should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Buffered PLUS. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if the investor has held the Buffered PLUS for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise. There is a risk that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may seek to treat all or a portion of the gain on the Buffered PLUS as ordinary income. For example, there is a risk (which, depending on the market conditions on the pricing date, could be substantial) that the IRS could seek to recharacterize the Buffered PLUS as debt instruments. In that event, U.S. Holders would be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the Buffered PLUS every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of issuance and recognize all income and gain in respect of the Buffered PLUS as ordinary income. We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS regarding the treatment of the Buffered PLUS. An alternative characterization of the Buffered PLUS could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the Buffered PLUS, including the timing and character of income recognized. In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have requested comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar financial instruments and have indicated that such transactions may be the subject of future regulations or other guidance. Furthermore, members of Congress have proposed legislative changes to the tax treatment of derivative contracts. Any legislation, Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered PLUS, possibly with retroactive effect. As discussed in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS, Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, 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 Buffered PLUS and current market conditions, we expect that the Buffered PLUS will not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security on the pricing date. However, we will provide an updated determination in the final pricing supplement. Assuming that the Buffered PLUS do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security, our counsel is of the opinion that the Buffered PLUS 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 Buffered PLUS. Both U.S. and non-U.S. investors considering an investment in the Buffered PLUS should read the discussion under “Risk Factors” in this document and the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS and consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered PLUS, including possible alternative treatments, and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction. The discussion in the preceding paragraphs under “Tax considerations” and the discussion contained in the section entitled “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS, insofar as they purport to describe provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the

October 2024 Page 13 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due October 22, 2029

Buffered Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM

Principal at Risk Securities

 

	material U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered PLUS.
Use of proceeds and hedging:	The proceeds from the sale of the Buffered PLUS will be used by us for general corporate purposes. We will receive, in aggregate, $1,000 per Buffered PLUS issued, because, when we enter into hedging transactions in order to meet our obligations under the Buffered PLUS, our hedging counterparty will reimburse the cost of the agent’s commissions. The costs of the Buffered PLUS borne by you and described beginning on page 2 above comprise the agent’s commissions and the cost of issuing, structuring and hedging the Buffered PLUS. On or prior to October 10, 2024, we will hedge our anticipated exposure in connection with the Buffered PLUS by entering into hedging transactions with our affiliates and/or third-party dealers. We expect our hedging counterparties to take positions in stocks of the underlying index, futures and options contracts on the underlying index and any component stocks of the underlying index listed on major securities markets or positions in any other available securities or instruments that they may wish to use in connection with such hedging. Such purchase activity could potentially increase the value of the underlying index on October 10, 2024, and, therefore, could increase the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the valuation date so that investors do not suffer a loss on their initial investment in the Buffered PLUS. In addition, through our affiliates, we are likely to modify our hedge position throughout the term of the Buffered PLUS, including on the valuation date, by purchasing and selling the stocks constituting the underlying index, futures or options contracts on the underlying index or its component stocks listed on major securities markets or positions in any other available securities or instruments that we may wish to use in connection with such hedging activities. As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the Buffered PLUS, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the valuation date approaches. We cannot give any assurance that our hedging activities will not affect the value of the underlying index, and, therefore, adversely affect the value of the Buffered PLUS or the payment you will receive at maturity. For further information on our use of proceeds and hedging, see “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS.
Additional considerations:	Client accounts over which Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or any of their respective subsidiaries have investment discretion are not permitted to purchase the Buffered PLUS, either directly or indirectly.
Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest:	MS & Co. expects to sell all of the Buffered PLUS that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated dealer at a price of $ per Buffered PLUS, for further sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts at the price to public of $1,000 per Buffered PLUS. MS & Co. will not receive a sales commission with respect to the Buffered PLUS. MS & Co. is an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, and it and other affiliates of ours expect to make a profit by selling, structuring and, when applicable, hedging the Buffered PLUS. When MS & Co. prices this offering of Buffered PLUS, it will determine the economic terms of the Buffered PLUS such that for each Buffered PLUS the estimated value on the pricing date will be no lower than the minimum level described in “Investment Summary” beginning on page 2. MS & Co. will conduct this offering in compliance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., which is commonly referred to as FINRA, regarding a FINRA member firm’s distribution of the securities of an affiliate and related conflicts of interest. MS & Co. or any of our other affiliates may not make sales in this offering to any discretionary account. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS.
Where you can find more information:	Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the product supplement for PLUS and the index supplement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for the offering to which this communication relates. You should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the product supplement for PLUS, 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 product 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 without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Morgan Stanley, MSFL, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the product supplement for PLUS, index supplement and prospectus if you so request by calling toll-free 1-(800)-584-6837. You may access these documents on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov as follows: Product Supplement for PLUS dated November 16, 2023 Index Supplement dated November 16, 2023 Prospectus dated April 12, 2024 Terms used but not defined in this document are defined in the product supplement for PLUS, in the index supplement or in the prospectus. “Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM” and “PLUSSM” are our service marks.

 

October 2024 Page 14 

 

 

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