CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities Offered | Maximum Aggregate Offering Price | Amount of Registration Fee | ||
Enhanced Trigger Jump Securities due 2022 | $20,000,000 | $2,182.00 |
PROSPECTUS Dated November 16, 2020 | Pricing Supplement No. 1,696 to |
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT Dated November 16, 2020 | Registration Statement Nos. 333-250103; 333-250103-01 |
Dated May 21, 2021
Rule 424(b)(2)
$20,000,000
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
GLOBAL
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES A
Senior Notes
Enhanced Trigger Jump Securities due June 7, 2022
Based
on the Worst Performing of the Common Stock of Carnival Corporation, the Class A Common Stock of
Lyft, Inc. and the Common Stock of Wynn Resorts, Limited
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley
Principal at Risk Securities
The Enhanced Trigger Jump Securities due June 7, 2022 Based on the Worst Performing of the Common Stock of Carnival Corporation (“CCL Stock”), the Class A Common Stock of Lyft, Inc. (“LYFT Stock”) and the Common Stock of Wynn Resorts, Limited (“WYNN Stock”), which we refer to as the securities, are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley Finance LLC (“MSFL”) and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley. Unlike ordinary debt securities, the securities do not pay interest and do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. At maturity, you will receive for each security that you hold an amount in cash that will vary depending on the arithmetic average of the closing price of each underlying stock on each of the five averaging dates (the respective “final share price”). If the final share price of each underlying stock, as measured on the five averaging dates, is greater than or equal to 60% of its respective initial share price, which we refer to as the respective downside threshold level, you will receive for each security that you hold at maturity a positive return on the securities equal to $213.00 per $1,000 security, which we refer to as the upside payment. However, if the final share price of any underlying stock, as measured on the five averaging dates, is less than its respective downside threshold level, meaning the value of any underlying stock has declined by more than 40% from its respective initial share price to its respective final share price, the payment due at maturity will be significantly less than the stated principal amount of the securities by an amount that is proportionate to the full percentage decrease in the final share price of the worst performing underlying stock from its initial share price. Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than $600 per security and could be zero. Accordingly, you may lose your entire initial investment in the securities. Because the payment at maturity on the securities is based on the worst performing of the underlying stocks, a decline in any underlying stock below 60% of its respective initial share price will result in a significant loss on your investment, even if the other underlying stocks have appreciated or have not declined as much. The securities are for investors who seek an equity-based return and who are willing to risk their principal, risk exposure to the worst performing of three underlying stocks and forgo current income and appreciation above the fixed upside payment in exchange for the opportunity to receive the upside payment and the limited protection against loss that applies only if the final share price of each underlying stock is greater than or equal to its respective downside threshold level. The securities 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 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.
• | The stated principal amount and issue price of each security is $1,000. |
• | We will not pay interest on the securities. |
• | At maturity, you will receive for each $1,000 stated principal amount of securities that you hold: |
º | If the final share price of each underlying stock is greater than or equal to its respective downside threshold level: |
$1,000 + the upside payment
º | If the final share price of any underlying stock is less than its respective downside threshold level, meaning the value of any underlying stock has declined by more than 40% from its respective initial share price to its respective final share price: |
$1,000 × share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock
Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be significantly less than the stated principal amount of $1,000, and will represent a loss of more than 40%, and possibly all, of your investment.
• | The upside payment will be equal to $213.00 per security (21.30% of the stated principal amount). |
• | The downside threshold level of each underlying stock is equal to 60% of the respective initial share price and is as follows: |
º | With respect to the CCL Stock, $16.518, which is 60% of its initial share price |
º | With respect to the LYFT Stock, $31.176, which is 60% of its initial share price |
º | With respect to the WYNN Stock, $75.978, which is 60% of its initial share price |
• | The share performance factor, with respect to each underlying stock, will be equal to (i) the final share price divided by (ii) the initial share price. |
• | The initial share price of each underlying stock is equal to the respective closing price of one share of such underlying stock on May 20, 2021 and is as follows: |
º | With respect to the CCL Stock, $27.53 |
º | With respect to the LYFT Stock, $51.96 |
º | With respect to the WYNN Stock, $126.63 |
• | The final share price, with respect to each underlying stock, will equal the arithmetic average of the closing price of one share of such underlying stock on May 26, 2022, May 27, 2022, May 31, 2022, June 1, 2022 and June 2, 2022, which we refer to as the averaging dates, each as multiplied by the adjustment factor on such date. The adjustment factor, with respect to each underlying stock, will be initially set at 1.0 and is subject to change upon certain corporate events affecting such underlying stock. |
• | The worst performing underlying stock will be the underlying stock with the largest percentage decrease from the respective initial share price to the respective final share price. |
• | Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlying stocks. |
• | The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. |
• | The estimated value of the securities on the pricing date is $978.20 per security. See “Summary of Pricing Supplement” beginning on PS-2. |
• | The CUSIP number for the securities is 61771V2K5. The ISIN number for the securities is US61771V2K52. |
You should read the more detailed description of the securities in this pricing supplement. In particular, you should review and understand the descriptions in “Summary of Pricing Supplement,” “Final Terms” and “Additional Information About the Securities.”
The securities are riskier than ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on PS-10.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this pricing supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
PRICE $1,000 PER SECURITY
Price to public(1) |
Agent’s commissions and fees(2) |
Proceeds to us(3) | |
Per Security | $1,000 | $4 | $996 |
Total | $20,000,000 | $80,000 | $19,920,000 |
(1) | J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. will act as placement agents for the securities. The placement agents will forgo fees for sales to certain fiduciary accounts. The total fees represent the amount that the placement agents receive from sales to accounts other than such fiduciary accounts. The placement agents will receive a fee from the Issuer or one of its affiliates that will not exceed $4 per $1,000 principal amount of securities. |
(2) | Please see “Additional Information About the Securities—Supplemental Information Concerning Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” in this pricing supplement for information about fees and commissions. |
(3) | See “Additional Information About the Securities—Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page PS-35. |
The agent for this offering, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, is our affiliate. See “Additional Information About the Securities—Supplemental Information Concerning Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” in this pricing supplement.
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.
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.
Morgan Stanley | ![]() |
SUMMARY OF PRICING SUPPLEMENT
The following summary describes the Enhanced Trigger Jump Securities due June 7, 2022 Based on the Worst Performing of the Common Stock of Carnival Corporation, the Class A Common Stock of Lyft, Inc. and the Common Stock of Wynn Resorts, Limited, which we refer to as the securities, we are offering to you in general terms only. You should read the summary together with the more detailed information that is contained in the rest of this pricing supplement and in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors.”
The securities offered are medium-term debt securities issued by MSFL and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley. The return on the securities at maturity is based on the arithmetic average of the closing price of the common stock of Carnival Corporation, which we refer to as CCL Stock, the class A common stock of of Lyft, Inc., which we refer to as the LYFT Stock, and the common stock of Wynn Resorts, Limited, which we refer to as the WYNN Stock, as measured on the five averaging dates. The securities are for investors who seek an equity-based return and who are willing to risk their principal, risk exposure to the worst performing of three underlying stocks and forgo current income and appreciation above the fixed upside payment in exchange for the opportunity to receive the upside payment and the limited protection against loss that applies only if the final share price of each underlying stock is greater than or equal to its respective downside threshold level. The securities do not guarantee the return of any principal at maturity, and all payments on the securities are subject to our credit risk.
Each security costs $1,000 | We are offering the Enhanced Trigger Jump Securities due June 7, 2022, Based on the Worst Performing of the Common Stock of Carnival Corporation, the Class A Common Stock of Lyft, Inc. and the Common Stock of Wynn Resorts, Limited, which we refer to as the securities. The stated principal amount and issue price of each security is $1,000. The original issue price of each security is $1,000. |
The original issue price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date is less than $1,000. We estimate that the value of each security on the pricing date is $978.20.
What goes into the estimated value on the pricing date?
In valuing the securities on the pricing date, we take into account that the securities comprise both a debt component and a performance-based component linked to the underlying stocks. The estimated value of the securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the underlying stocks, instruments based on the underlying stocks, 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 upside payment and the downside threshold level, we use an internal funding rate, which is likely to be lower than our secondary market credit spreads and therefore advantageous to us. If the issuing, selling, structuring and hedging costs borne by you were lower or if the internal funding rate were higher, one or more of the economic terms of the securities would be more favorable to you.
What is the relationship between the estimated value on the pricing date and the |
PS-2
secondary market price of the securities?
The price at which MS & Co. purchases the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying stocks, may vary from, and be lower than, the estimated value on the pricing date, because the secondary market price takes into account our secondary market credit spread as well as the bid-offer spread that MS & Co. would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type and other factors. However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying stocks, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value. We expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.
MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the securities, and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time. | |
No guaranteed return of principal; no interest | Unlike ordinary debt securities, the securities do not pay interest and do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. If the final share price of any underlying stock, as measured on the five averaging dates, is less than its respective downside threshold level, we will pay to you an amount in cash per security that is significantly less than the $1,000 stated principal amount of each security by an amount proportionate to the decrease in the final share price of the worst performing underlying stock from its initial share price. Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than $600 per security, and, as there is no minimum payment at maturity on the securities, you could lose your entire investment. |
Your appreciation potential is fixed and limited | Where the final share price of each underlying stock, as measured on the five averaging dates, is greater than or equal to its respective downside threshold level, the appreciation potential of the securities is limited to the fixed upside payment of $213.00 per security (21.30% of the stated principal amount) even if each underlying stock has appreciated significantly. |
Payment at maturity | At maturity, you will receive for each $1,000 stated principal amount of securities that you hold an amount in cash based upon the final share price of the worst performing underlying stock, determined as follows:
• If the final share price of each underlying stock is greater than or equal to its respective downside threshold level, you will receive for each $1,000 stated principal amount of securities that you hold a payment at maturity equal to:
|
$1,000 + the upside payment | |
where, |
upside payment = $213.00 per security (21.30% of the stated principal amount) | |
final share price = with respect to each underlying stock, the arithmetic average of the closing price of one share of such underlying stock on each of the five averaging dates, each as |
PS-3
multiplied by the adjustment factor for such underlying stock on such date,
initial share price = With respect to the CCL Stock, $27.53, which is the closing price of such underlying stock on May 20, 2021. With respect to the LYFT Stock, $51.96, which is the closing price of such underlying stock on May 20, 2021. With respect to the WYNN Stock, $126.63, which is the closing price of such underlying stock on May 20, 2021.
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downside threshold level = With respect to the CCL Stock, $16.518, which is 60% of its initial share price. With respect to the LYFT Stock, $31.176, which is 60% of its initial share price. With respect to the WYNN Stock, $75.978, which is 60% of its initial share price.
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and | |
adjustment factor = 1.0 for each underlying stock, subject to change upon certain corporate events affecting the underlying stocks. | |
• If the final share price of any underlying stock is less than its respective downside threshold level, meaning the value of any underlying stock has declined by more than 40% from its respective initial share price to its respective final share price, you will receive for each $1,000 stated principal amount of securities that you hold a payment at maturity equal to: | |
$1,000 × share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock | |
where, |
share performance factor | = | final share price | |
initial share price |
and | |
worst performing underlying stock = the underlying stock with the largest percentage decrease from its respective initial share price to its respective final share price. | |
Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be significantly less than the stated principal amount of $1,000, and will represent a loss of more than 40%, and possibly all, of your investment.
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Beginning on PS-7, we have provided examples titled “Hypothetical Payouts on the Securities at Maturity,” which illustrate the performance of the securities at maturity in certain scenarios. The examples do not show every situation that may occur.
You can review the historical prices of CCL Stock and WYNN Stock for the period from January 1, 2018 through May 21, 2021 and the historical prices of LYFT Stock |
PS-4
for the period from March 29, 2019 through May 21, 2021 in the section of this pricing supplement called “Additional Information About the Securities —Historical Information.” You cannot predict the future performance of any underlying stock based on its historical performance. | |
The adjustment factors may be changed | During the term of the securities, our affiliate, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC or its successors, which we refer to as MS & Co., acting as calculation agent, may make changes to the adjustment factors, each initially set at 1.0, to reflect the occurrence of certain corporate events relating to the underlying stocks. You should read about these adjustments in the sections of this pricing supplement called “Risk Factors—The antidilution adjustments the calculation agent is required to make do not cover every corporate event that could affect CCL Stock, LYFT Stock or WYNN Stock,” “Terms—Adjustment Factor” and “—Antidilution Adjustments.” |
You have no shareholder rights | Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the common stock of Carnival Corporation, the class A common stock of Lyft, Inc. or the common stock of Wynn Resorts, Limited. As an investor in the securities, you will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the underlying stocks. In addition, you do not have the right to exchange your securities for any of the underlying stocks at any time. |
Postponement of maturity date | If any scheduled averaging date with respect to any underlying stock is not a trading day or if a market disruption event with respect to any underlying stock occurs on any averaging date so that the final averaging date falls less than two business days prior to the scheduled maturity date, the maturity date will be postponed to the second business day following the final averaging date as postponed. |
MS & Co. will be the calculation agent | We have appointed our affiliate, MS & Co., to act as calculation agent for The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, the trustee for our senior notes. As calculation agent, MS & Co. will determine the initial share prices, the downside threshold levels, the final share prices, the share performance factors, what, if any, adjustments should be made to the adjustment factors to reflect certain corporate and other events affecting an underlying stock, the payment to you at maturity, if any, and whether a market disruption event has occurred. |
MS & Co. will be the agent; conflicts of interest | The agent for the offering of the securities, a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of MSFL, which we refer to as 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 “Additional Information About the Securities—Supplemental Information Concerning Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” on PS-35. |
No affiliation with Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited
|
Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited are not affiliates of ours and are not involved with this offering in any way. The obligations represented by the securities are obligations of ours and not of Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited. |
PS-5
Where you can find more information on the securities | The securities are unsecured securities issued as part of our Series A medium-term note program. You can find a general description of our Series A medium-term note program in the accompanying prospectus supplement dated November 16, 2020 and prospectus dated November 16, 2020. We describe the basic features of this type of security in the section of the prospectus supplement called “Description of Notes—Notes Linked to Commodity Prices, Single Securities, Baskets of Securities or Indices” and in the section of the prospectus called “Description of Debt Securities—Fixed Rate Debt Securities.” |
Because this is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a detailed description of the terms of the securities, you should read the section of this pricing supplement called “Terms.” You should also read the “Additional Information About the Securities” section. You should also read about the material risks involved in investing in the securities in the section of this pricing supplement called “Risk Factors.” The tax and accounting treatment of investments in securities such as these may differ from that of investments in ordinary debt securities or common stock. See the section of this pricing supplement called “Additional Information About the Securities—United States Federal Taxation.” We urge you to consult with your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers with regard to any proposed or actual investment in the securities. |
PS-6
HYPOTHETICAL PAYOUTS ON THE SECURITIES AT MATURITY
The following hypothetical examples illustrate how to calculate the payment at maturity on the securities. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only. The payment at maturity on the securities is subject to our credit risk. The below examples are based on the following terms. The actual initial share prices and downside threshold levels are set forth on the cover of this pricing supplement.
Stated Principal Amount: | $1,000 per security |
Hypothetical Initial Share Price: | With respect to the CCL Stock: $25
With respect to the LYFT Stock: $50
With respect to the WYNN Stock: $125 |
Hypothetical Downside Threshold Level: | With respect to the CCL Stock: $15, which is 60% of its hypothetical initial share price
With respect to the LYFT Stock: $30, which is 60% of its hypothetical initial share price
With respect to the WYNN Stock: $75, which is 60% of its hypothetical initial share price
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Upside Payment: | $213.00 (21.30% of the stated principal amount) |
Interest: | None |
EXAMPLE 1: Each underlying stock appreciates significantly, and investors therefore receive the stated principal amount plus the upside payment.
Final share price | CCL Stock: $40
LYFT Stock: $85
WYNN Stock: $225
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Share performance factor | CCL Stock: $40 / $25 = 160%
LYFT Stock: $85 / $50 = 170%
WYNN Stock: $225 / $125 = 180%
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Payment at maturity | = | $1,000 + upside payment | |
= | $1,000 + $213.00 | ||
= | $1,213.00 |
In example 1, the final share price for the CCL Stock has increased from its initial share price by 60%, the final share price for the LYFT Stock has increased from its initial share price by 70% and the final share price for the WYNN Stock has increased from its initial share price by 80%. Because the final share price of each underlying stock, as measured on the five averaging dates, is above its respective downside threshold level, investors receive at maturity the stated principal amount plus the upside payment of $213.00. Investors receive $1,213.00 per security at maturity. However, investors do not participate in the appreciation of any underlying stock.
EXAMPLE 2: The final share price of each underlying stock, as measured on the five averaging dates, is at or above its respective downside threshold level, and investors therefore receive the stated principal amount plus the upside payment.
Final share price | CCL Stock: $21.25
LYFT Stock: $45
WYNN Stock: $100 |
PS-7
Share performance factor | CCL Stock: $21.25 / $25 = 85%
LYFT Stock: $45 / $50 = 90%
WYNN Stock: $100 / $125 = 80% | ||
Payment at maturity | = | $1,000 + upside payment | |
= | $1,000 + $213.00 | ||
= | $1,213.00 |
In example 2, the final share price for the CCL Stock has decreased from its initial share price by 15%, the final share price for the LYFT Stock has decreased from its initial share price by 10% and the final share price for the WYNN Stock has decreased from its initial share price by 20%. Because the final share price of each underlying stock, as measured on the five averaging dates, is above its respective downside threshold level, investors receive at maturity the stated principal amount plus the upside payment of $213.00. Although each underlying stock has depreciated, investors receive $1,213.00 per security at maturity.
EXAMPLE 3: The final share price of one of the underlying stocks, as measured on the five averaging dates, is less than its respective downside threshold level. Investors are therefore exposed to the full decline in the worst performing underlying stock from its initial share price.
Final share price | CCL Stock: $30 | ||
LYFT Stock: $22.50
WYNN Stock: $162.50
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Share performance factor | CCL Stock: $30 / $25 = 120%
LYFT Stock: $22.50 / $50 = 45%
WYNN Stock: $162.50 / $125 = 130%
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Payment at maturity | = | $1,000 × share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock | |
= | $1,000 × 45% | ||
= | $450.00 |
In example 3, the final share price for the CCL Stock has increased from its initial share price by 20%, the final share price for the LYFT Stock has decreased from its initial share price by 55% and the final share price for the WYNN Stock has increased from its initial share price by 30%. Because one of the underlying stocks has declined below its respective downside threshold level, investors do not receive the upside payment and instead are exposed to the full negative performance of the LYFT Stock, which is the worst performing underlying stock in this example, even though the other two underlying stocks have appreciated. Under these circumstances, investors lose 1% of the stated principal amount for every 1% decline in the value of the worst performing underlying stock from its initial share price. In this example, investors receive a payment at maturity equal to $450.00 per security, resulting in a loss of 55%.
EXAMPLE 4: The final share price of each underlying stock, as measured on the five averaging dates, is less than its respective downside threshold level. Investors are therefore exposed to the full decline in the worst performing underlying stock from its initial share price.
Final share price | CCL Stock: $5 | ||
LYFT Stock: $20
WYNN Stock: $37.50
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Share performance factor | CCL Stock: $5 / $25 = 20%
LYFT Stock: $20 / $50 = 40%
WYNN Stock: $37.50 / $125 = 30%
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Payment at maturity | = | $1,000 × share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock | |
= | $1,000 × 20% | ||
= | $200.00 |
PS-8
In example 4, the final share price for the CCL Stock has decreased from its initial share price by 80%, the final share price for the LYFT Stock has decreased from its initial share price by 60% and the final share price for the WYNN Stock has decreased from its initial share price by 70%. Because one or more underlying stocks have declined below their respective downside threshold levels, investors do not receive the upside payment and instead are exposed to the full negative performance of the CCL Stock, which is the worst performing underlying stock in this example. Under these circumstances, investors lose 1% of the stated principal amount for every 1% decline in the value of the worst performing underlying stock from its initial share price. In this example, investors receive a payment at maturity equal to $200.00 per security, resulting in a loss of 80%.
If the final share price of any of the underlying stocks, as measured on the five averaging dates, is less than its respective downside threshold level, you will receive an amount in cash that is significantly less than the $1,000 stated principal amount of each security by an amount proportionate to the full decline in the level of the worst performing underlying stock from its initial share price over the term of the securities, and you will lose a significant portion or all of your investment.
PS-9
RISK FACTORS
The securities are not secured debt, are riskier than ordinary debt securities, and, unlike ordinary debt securities, the securities do not pay interest or guarantee any return of principal at maturity. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in CCL Stock, LYFT Stock or WYNN Stock. This section describes the material risks relating to the securities. For a complete list of risk factors, please also see the accompanying prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Risks Relating to an Investment in the Securities
The securities do not pay interest or guarantee the return of any of your principal | The terms of the securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that we will not pay you interest on the securities and do not guarantee the return of any of the stated principal amount of the securities at maturity. At maturity, you will receive for each $1,000 stated principal amount of securities that you hold an amount in cash based upon the final share price of each underlying stock. If the final share price of any underlying stock, as measured on the five averaging dates, is less than 60% of its respective initial share price, you will not receive the fixed upside payment. Instead, you will receive at maturity an amount in cash that is significantly less than the $1,000 stated principal amount of each security by an amount proportionate to the full decline in the final share price of the worst performing underlying stock from its initial share price over the term of the securities, and you will lose a significant portion or all of your investment. There is no minimum payment at maturity on the securities, and, accordingly, you could lose your entire initial investment in the securities. See “Hypothetical Payouts on the Securities at Maturity” on PS–7. |
Your appreciation potential is fixed and limited | The appreciation potential of the securities is limited to the fixed upside payment of $213.00 per security (21.30% of the stated principal amount) even if the final share price of each underlying stock is significantly greater than its respective initial share price. |
The securities 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 securities | You are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the securities at maturity 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 the 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. |
PS-10
The market price of the securities may be influenced by many unpredictable factors | Several 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. We expect that, generally, the trading price of the underlying stocks on any day (including in relation to the respective downside threshold levels) will affect the value of the securities more than any other single factor. Other factors that may influence the value of the securities include: |
• the volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in price) of the underlying stocks; | |
• geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the underlying stocks or stock markets generally and which may affect the price of the underlying stocks; | |
• interest and yield rates in the market; | |
• the dividend rates on the underlying stocks, if any; | |
• the time remaining until the securities mature; | |
• the occurrence of certain events affecting the underlying stocks that may or may not require an adjustment to the adjustment factor; and | |
• any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads. | |
Some or all of these factors will influence the price that you will receive if you sell your securities prior to maturity. For example, you may have to sell your securities at a substantial discount from the principal amount if the closing price of any underlying stock is near, at or below its respective downside threshold level.
You cannot predict the future performance of the underlying stocks based on their historical performance. The class A common stock of Lyft, Inc. began trading on March 29, 2019 and therefore has limited historical performance. The price of any underlying stock may decrease below its respective downside threshold level so that you will receive at maturity an amount that is significantly less than the stated principal amount of the securities by an amount that is proportionate to the full decrease in the price of the worst performing underlying stock over the term of the securities.
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The amount payable on the securities is not linked to the prices of the underlying stocks at any time other than the averaging dates | The final share price of each underlying stock will be based on the arithmetic average of the closing price of such underlying stock on each of the five averaging dates, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events. Even if the price of the worst performing underlying stock appreciates prior to the averaging dates but then drops by the averaging dates, the payment at maturity may be significantly less than it would have been had the payment at maturity been linked to the price of the worst performing underlying stock prior to such drop. Although the actual price of the worst performing underlying stock on the stated maturity date or at other times during the term of the securities may be higher than its respective final share price, the payment at maturity will be based solely on the final share price of the worst performing underlying stock, as determined on the five averaging dates. |
The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and secondary | The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the securities. MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the securities and, if it once chooses to make a market, may |
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trading may be limited | 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 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. |
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 original issue price reduce the economic terms of the securities, cause the estimated value of the securities 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 securities 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 securities in the original issue price and the lower rate we are willing to pay as issuer make the economic terms of the securities less favorable to you than they otherwise would be.
However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying stocks, 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.
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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 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 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 pricing 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 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. |
You have no shareholder rights | Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in CCL Stock, LYFT Stock or WYNN Stock. As an investor in the securities, you will not have voting rights or the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to |
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CCL Stock, LYFT Stock or WYNN Stock. | |
The calculation agent, which is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of MSFL, will make determinations with respect to the securities | As calculation agent, MS & Co. will determine the initial share prices, the downside threshold levels and the final share prices and whether a market disruption event has occurred or any antidilution adjustment will be made, and will calculate the amount of cash you will receive at maturity, if any. Moreover, certain determinations made by MS & Co., in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, such as with respect to the occurrence or non-occurrence of market disruption events and the calculation of the final share prices (and of any antidilution adjustments). These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity, if any. For further information regarding these types of determinations, see “Terms—Initial Share Price,” “—Closing Price,” “—Final Share Price,” “—Averaging Dates,” “—Trading Day,” “—Calculation Agent,” “—Market Disruption Event,” “—Antidilution Adjustments” and “—Alternate Exchange Calculation in Case of an Event of Default.” In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date. |
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 (and to other instruments linked to the underlying stocks), including trading in the underlying stocks and in options contracts on the underlying stocks, as well as in other instruments related to the underlying stocks. As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the averaging dates approach. Some of our affiliates also trade the underlying stocks and other financial instruments related to the underlying stocks 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 May 20, 2021 could potentially increase the initial share price of an underlying stock, and, therefore, could increase the downside threshold level for such underlying stock, which is the price at or above which such underlying stock must close on the averaging dates so that investors do not suffer a significant loss on their initial investment in the securities (depending also on the performance of the other underlying stocks). Additionally, such hedging or trading activities during the term of the securities, including on the averaging dates, could adversely affect the closing price of any underlying stock on the averaging dates, and, accordingly, the amount of cash you will receive at maturity, if any (depending also on the performance of the other underlying stocks). |
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities are uncertain
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Please note that the discussions in this 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 “United States Federal Taxation” in this pricing supplement, although there is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities due to the lack of governing authority, in the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (“our counsel”), under current law, and based on current market conditions, a security should be treated as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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
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securities as debt instruments. In that event, U.S. Holders (as defined below) would be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the securities every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of issuance and recognize all income and gain in respect of the securities as ordinary income. The risk that financial instruments providing for buffers, triggers or similar downside protection features, such as the securities, would be recharacterized as debt is greater than the risk of recharacterization for comparable financial instruments that do not have such features. We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS regarding the tax treatment of the securities, and the IRS or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in this pricing supplement.
In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. The notice focuses in particular on whether to require holders of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange-traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to which income (including any mandated accruals) realized by Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” rule, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose an interest charge. While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect.
Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should read carefully the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in this pricing supplement and consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction. | |
Risks Relating to the Underlying Stocks | |
You are exposed to the price risk of each of the underlying stocks | Your return on the securities is not linked to a basket consisting of the underlying stocks. Rather, it will be based upon the independent performance of each underlying stock. 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 underlying stocks. Poor performance by any underlying stock 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 underlying stocks. If the final share price of any underlying stock declines to below 60% of its respective initial share price, you will be fully exposed to the negative performance of the worst performing underlying stock at maturity, even if the other underlying stocks have appreciated or have not declined as much. Accordingly, your investment is subject to the price risk of each of the underlying stocks. |
Because the securities are linked to the performance of the worst performing underlying stock, you are | 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 the performance of just one underlying stock. With three underlying stocks, it is more likely that the final share price of any underlying stock will decline to below its |
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exposed to greater risk of sustaining a significant loss on your investment than if the securities were linked to just one underlying stock | respective downside threshold level than if the securities were linked to only one underlying stock. Therefore, it is more likely that you will suffer a significant loss on your investment. |
We are not affiliated with Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited | Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. and Wynn Resorts, Limited are not affiliates of ours and are not involved with this offering in any way. Consequently, we have no ability to control the actions of Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited, including any corporate actions of the type that would require the calculation agent to adjust the payout to you at maturity. Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. and Wynn Resorts, Limited have no obligation to consider your interests as an investor in the securities in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of your securities. None of the money you pay for the securities will go to Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited. |
We may engage in business with or involving Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited without regard to your interests | We or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited without regard to your interests, including extending loans to, or making equity investments in, Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited or their affiliates or subsidiaries or providing advisory services to Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited, such as merger and acquisition advisory services. In the course of our business, we or our affiliates may acquire non-public information about Carnival Corporation, Lyft, Inc. or Wynn Resorts, Limited. Neither we nor any of our affiliates undertakes to disclose any such information to you. In addition, we or our affiliates from time to time may have published and in the future may publish research reports with respect to CCL Stock, LYFT Stock or WYNN Stock. These research reports may or may not recommend that investors buy or hold CCL Stock, LYFT Stock or WYNN Stock. |
The antidilution adjustments the calculation agent is required to make do not cover every corporate event that could affect CCL Stock, LYFT Stock or WYNN Stock | MS & Co., as calculation agent, will adjust the adjustment factors for certain events affecting the underlying stocks, such as stock splits, stock dividends and extraordinary dividends, and certain other corporate actions involving the underlying stocks. However, the calculation agent will not make an adjustment for every corporate event or every distribution that could affect the underlying stocks. In addition, no adjustments will be made for regular cash dividends, which are expected to reduce the prices of the underlying stocks by the amount of such dividends. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to adjust an adjustment factor, such as a regular cash dividend, the market price of the securities and your return on the securities may be materially and adversely affected. The determination by the calculation agent to adjust, or not to adjust, an adjustment factor may materially and adversely affect the market price of the securities. For example, if the record date for a regular cash dividend were to occur on or shortly before the valuation date, this may decrease the final share price of any underlying stock to be less than its respective downside threshold level (resulting in a loss of a significant portion or all of your investment in the securities), materially and adversely affecting your return. |
PS-15
FINAL TERMS
Terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the accompanying prospectus supplement. The term “Security” refers to each $1,000 Stated Principal Amount of the Enhanced Trigger Jump Securities due June 7, 2022 Based on the Worst Performing of the Common Stock of Carnival Corporation (“CCL Stock”), the Class A Common Stock of Lyft, Inc. (“LYFT Stock”) and the Common Stock of Wynn Resorts, Limited (“WYNN Stock”).
Aggregate Principal Amount | $20,000,000 |
Pricing Date | May 21, 2021 |
Original Issue Date (Settlement Date) | May 27, 2021 (4 Business Days after the Pricing Date) |
Maturity Date | June 7, 2022, subject to extension as described in the following paragraph. |
If due to a Market Disruption Event or otherwise, the final Averaging Date with respect to any Underlying Stock is postponed so that it falls less than two Business Days prior to the scheduled Maturity Date, the Maturity Date shall be postponed to the second Business Day following that final Averaging Date as postponed with respect to any Underlying Stock. See “—Averaging Dates” below. | |
In the event that the Maturity Date of this Security is postponed due to postponement of the final Averaging Date, as described in the immediately preceding paragraph, 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 the holder of this Security by mailing notice of such postponement by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the 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 the holder of this Security in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given to such holder, whether or not such 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 Averaging Date as postponed. | |
Issue Price | $1,000 per Security |
Stated Principal Amount | $1,000 per Security |
Denominations | $1,000 and integral multiples thereof |
CUSIP Number | 61771V2K5 |
ISIN Number | US61771V2K52 |
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Specified Currency | U.S. dollars |
Payment at Maturity | At maturity, we will pay with respect to each $1,000 Stated Principal Amount of Securities an amount in cash equal to: |
● If the Final Share Price of each Underlying Stock is greater than or equal to its respective Downside Threshold Level: | |
$1,000 + the Upside Payment | |
● If the Final Share Price of any Underlying Stock is less than its respective Downside Threshold Level: | |
$1,000 × Share Performance Factor of the Worst Performing Underlying Stock | |
We shall, or shall cause the Calculation Agent to, (i) provide written notice to the Trustee and to The Depository Trust Company, which we refer to as DTC, of the amount of cash to be delivered with respect to each $1,000 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, if any, due with respect to the Securities to the Trustee for delivery to DTC, as holder of the Securities, on the Maturity Date. We expect such amount of cash, if any, will be distributed to investors on the Maturity Date in accordance with the standard rules and procedures of DTC and its direct and indirect participants. See “Additional Information About the Securities—Book Entry Note or Certificated Note” below, and see “Forms of Securities—The Depositary” in the accompanying prospectus. | |
Upside Payment | $213.00 per Security (21.30% of the Stated Principal Amount). |
Worst Performing Underlying Stock | The Underlying Stock with the largest percentage decrease from the respective Initial Share Price to the respective Final Share Price. |
Share Performance Factor | With respect to each Underlying Stock, a fraction, the numerator of which is the Final Share Price for such Underlying Stock and the denominator of which is the Initial Share Price for such Underlying Stock, as expressed by the following formula: |
Share Performance Factor | = | Final Share Price | |
Initial Share Price |
Initial Share Price | With respect to the CCL Stock, $27.53, which is the Closing Price of such Underlying Stock on May 20, 2021. |
With respect to the LYFT Stock, $51.96, which is the Closing Price of such Underlying Stock on May 20, 2021. | |
With respect to the WYNN Stock, $126.63, which is the Closing Price of such Underlying Stock on May 20, 2021. | |
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Downside Threshold Level | With respect to the CCL Stock, $16.518, which is 60% of its Initial Share Price. |
With respect to the LYFT Stock, $31.176, which is 60% of its Initial Share Price. | |
With respect to the WYNN Stock, $75.978, which is 60% of its Initial Share Price | |
Closing Price | Subject to the provisions set out under “—Antidilution Adjustments” below, the Closing Price for one share of an Underlying Stock (or one unit of any other security for which a Closing Price must be determined) on any Trading Day (as defined below) means: |
(i) | if such Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is listed on a national securities exchange (other than The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Nasdaq”)), the last reported sale price, regular way, of the principal trading session of such Underlying Stock on such day on the principal national securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on which such Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is listed, | |
(ii) | if such Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is a security of the Nasdaq, the official closing price of such Underlying Stock published by the Nasdaq on such day, or | |
(iii) | if such Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is not listed on any national securities exchange but is 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 of such Underlying Stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on such day. | |
If such Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is listed on any national securities exchange but the last reported sale price or the official closing price published by the Nasdaq, as applicable, for such Underlying Stock is not available pursuant to the preceding sentence, then the Closing Price for one share of such Underlying Stock (or one unit of any such other security) on any Trading Day will mean the last reported sale price of the principal trading session of such Underlying Stock on the over-the-counter market as reported on the Nasdaq or the OTC Bulletin Board on such day. If a Market Disruption Event (as defined below) occurs with respect to an Underlying Stock (or any such other security) or the last reported sale price or the official closing price published by the Nasdaq, as applicable, for such Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is not available pursuant to either of the two preceding sentences, then the Closing Price for any Trading Day will be the mean, as determined by the Calculation Agent, of the bid prices for such Underlying Stock (or any such other security) for such Trading Day obtained from as many recognized dealers in such security, but not exceeding three, as | |
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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 Price of such Underlying Stock shall 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. See “—Alternate Exchange Calculation in Case of an Event of Default” and “—Antidilution Adjustments” below. | |
Final Share Price | With respect to each Underlying Stock, the arithmetic average of the Closing Price of one share of such Underlying Stock on each of the five Averaging Dates, each as multiplied by the Adjustment Factor on such date for such Underlying Stock, as determined by the Calculation Agent on the final Averaging Date. |
Adjustment Factor | With respect to each Underlying Stock, 1.0, subject to adjustment in the event of certain corporate events affecting such Underlying Stock. See “—Antidilution Adjustments” below. |
Averaging Dates | May 26, 2022, May 27, 2022, May 31, 2022, June 1, 2022 and June 2, 2022, subject to adjustment for non-Trading Days and Market Disruption Events, as described in the following paragraph. |
If a Market Disruption Event with respect to any Underlying Stock occurs on any scheduled Averaging Date, or if any such scheduled Averaging Date is not a Trading Day with respect to any Underlying Stock, the Closing Price solely for such Underlying Stock for such scheduled Averaging Date will be determined on the immediately succeeding Trading Day on which no Market Disruption Event shall have occurred. Each succeeding Averaging Date shall then be the next Trading Day following the preceding Averaging Date as postponed. The Final Share Price for any Underlying Stock shall be determined on the date on which the Closing Prices for all scheduled Averaging Dates have been determined; provided that (i) the Closing Price for any Averaging Date shall not be determined on a date later than the fifth scheduled Business Day after the last scheduled Averaging Date, (ii) the Closing Price for any remaining Averaging Dates that would otherwise fall after such fifth Business Day shall be the Closing Price on such fifth Business Day and (iii) if such fifth Business Day is not a Trading Day or if there is a Market Disruption Event on such date, the Calculation Agent shall determine the Closing Price of such Underlying Stock on such date as the mean, as determined by the Calculation Agent, of the bid prices for such Underlying Stock 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 | |
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such bid is the highest of the bids obtained. If no bid prices are provided from any third-party dealers, the Closing Price on such date shall be determined by the Calculation Agent in its sole and absolute discretion (acting in good faith), taking into account any information that it deems relevant. | |
Trading Day | With respect to each Underlying Stock, a day, as determined by the Calculation Agent, on which trading is generally conducted on the New York Stock Exchange, the 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. |
Trustee | The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation |
Agent | MS & Co. and its successors |
Calculation Agent | MS & Co. and its successors |
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 and determinations with respect to the Payment at Maturity, if any, will be made by the Calculation Agent and will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward (e.g., .876545 would be rounded to .87655); all dollar amounts related to determination of the amount of cash payable per Security, if any, 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 investor in the Securities, including with respect to certain determinations and judgments that the Calculation Agent must make in determining the Initial Share Prices, the Downside Threshold Levels, the Final Share Prices, the Share Performance Factors, the Payment at Maturity, whether to make any adjustments to the Adjustment Factor or whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred. See “—Alternate Exchange Calculation in Case of an Event of Default,” “—Market Disruption Event” and “—Antidilution Adjustments.” MS & Co. is obligated to carry out its duties and functions as Calculation Agent in good faith and using its reasonable judgment. | |
Market Disruption Event | “Market Disruption Event” means, with respect to each Underlying Stock: |
(i) | the occurrence or existence of any of: | |
(a) | a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading of such Underlying Stock on the primary market for that |
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Underlying Stock 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 | ||
(b) | a breakdown or failure in the price and trade reporting systems of the primary market for such Underlying Stock as a result of which the reported trading prices for that Underlying Stock during the last one-half hour preceding the close of the principal trading session in such market are materially inaccurate, or | |
(c) | the suspension, absence or material limitation of trading on the primary market for trading in futures or options contracts related to that Underlying Stock, 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; 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 has occurred with respect to an Underlying Stock: (1) a limitation on the hours or number of days of trading shall not constitute a Market Disruption Event if it results from an announced change in the regular business hours of the primary market, (2) a decision to permanently discontinue trading in the relevant futures or options contract shall not constitute a Market Disruption Event, (3) a suspension of trading in options contracts on such Underlying Stock 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 options contracts related to such Underlying Stock and (4) a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading on the primary securities market on which options contracts related to such Underlying Stock are traded will not include any time when such securities market is itself closed for trading under ordinary circumstances. | |
Antidilution Adjustments | The Adjustment Factor for an Underlying Stock will be adjusted as follows: |
1. If such Underlying Stock is 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 such Underlying Stock. | |
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2. If such Underlying Stock is subject (i) to a stock dividend (issuance of additional shares of such Underlying Stock) that is given ratably to all holders of shares of such Underlying Stock or (ii) to a distribution of the such Underlying Stock as a result of the triggering of any provision of the corporate charter of that Underlying Stock Issuer, then once the dividend has become effective and such Underlying Stock is trading ex-dividend, the Adjustment Factor will be adjusted so that the new Adjustment Factor shall equal the prior Adjustment Factor plus the product of (i) the number of shares issued with respect to one share of such Underlying Stock and (ii) the prior Adjustment Factor. | |
3. If the applicable Underlying Stock Issuer issues rights or warrants to all holders of such Underlying Stock to subscribe for or purchase that Underlying Stock at an exercise price per share less than the Closing Price of that Underlying Stock on both (i) the date the exercise price of such rights or warrants is determined and (ii) the expiration date of such rights or warrants, and if the expiration date of such rights or warrants precedes the maturity of the Securities, then the Adjustment Factor will be adjusted to equal the product of the prior Adjustment Factor and a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of such Underlying Stock outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of such rights or warrants plus the number of additional shares of such Underlying Stock offered for subscription or purchase pursuant to such rights or warrants and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of such Underlying Stock outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of such rights or warrants plus the number of additional shares of such Underlying Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Underlying Stock so offered for subscription or purchase pursuant to such rights or warrants would purchase at the Closing Price on the expiration date of such rights or warrants, which shall be determined by multiplying such total number of shares offered by the exercise price of such rights or warrants and dividing the product so obtained by such Closing Price. | |
4. There will be no required adjustments to the Adjustment Factor to reflect cash dividends or other distributions paid with respect to an Underlying Stock other than distributions described in paragraph 2, paragraph 3 and clauses (i), (iv) and (v) of paragraph 5 below and Extraordinary Dividends as described below. A cash dividend or other distribution with respect to an Underlying Stock will be deemed to be an “Extraordinary Dividend” if such cash dividend or distribution exceeds the immediately preceding non-Extraordinary Dividend for such Underlying Stock by an amount equal to at least 10% of the Closing Price of such Underlying Stock (as adjusted for any subsequent corporate event requiring an adjustment hereunder, such as a stock split or reverse stock split) on the Trading Day preceding the ex-dividend date (that is, the day on and after which transactions in such Underlying Stock on the primary U.S. organized securities exchange or trading system on which such Underlying Stock is traded no longer carry the right to receive that |
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cash dividend or that cash distribution) for the payment of such Extraordinary Dividend. If an Extraordinary Dividend occurs with respect to such Underlying Stock, the Adjustment Factor with respect to such Underlying Stock will be adjusted on the ex-dividend date with respect to such Extraordinary Dividend so that the new Adjustment Factor will equal the product of (i) the then current Adjustment Factor and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Closing Price on the Trading Day preceding the ex-dividend date, and the denominator of which is the amount by which the Closing Price on the Trading Day preceding the ex-dividend date exceeds the Extraordinary Dividend Amount. The “Extraordinary Dividend Amount” with respect to an Extraordinary Dividend for such Underlying Stock will equal (i) in the case of cash dividends or other distributions that constitute regular dividends, the amount per share of such Extraordinary Dividend minus the amount per share of the immediately preceding non-Extraordinary Dividend for such Underlying Stock or (ii) in the case of cash dividends or other distributions that do not constitute regular dividends, the amount per share of such Extraordinary Dividend. To the extent an Extraordinary Dividend is not paid in cash, the value of the non-cash component will be determined by the Calculation Agent, whose determination shall be conclusive. A distribution on such Underlying Stock described in clause (i), (iv) or (v) of paragraph 5 below that also constitutes an Extraordinary Dividend shall cause an adjustment to the Adjustment Factor pursuant only to clause (i), (iv) or (v) of paragraph 5, as applicable. | |
5. If, with respect to either or both Underlying Stocks, (i) there occurs any reclassification or change of such Underlying Stock, including, without limitation, as a result of the issuance of any tracking stock by that Underlying Stock Issuer for such Underlying Stock, (ii) such Underlying Stock Issuer or any surviving entity or subsequent surviving entity of such Underlying Stock Issuer (the “Successor Corporation”) has been subject to a merger, combination or consolidation and is not the surviving entity, (iii) any statutory exchange of securities of such Underlying Stock Issuer or any Successor Corporation with another corporation occurs (other than pursuant to clause (ii) above), (iv) such Underlying Stock Issuer is liquidated, (v) such Underlying Stock Issuer issues to all of its shareholders equity securities of an issuer other than such Underlying Stock Issuer (other than in a transaction described in clause (ii), (iii) or (iv) above) (a “Spin-Off Event”) or (vi) a tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction is consummated for all the outstanding shares of such Underlying Stock (any such event in clauses (i) through (vi), a “Reorganization Event”), the method of determining the Payment at Maturity for each Stated Principal Amount shall be determined in accordance with “—Payment at Maturity” above, except that all references to the “Final Share Price” therein shall be deemed to refer to the “Final Exchange Property Value” (as defined below). | |
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“Final Exchange Property Value” means the arithmetic average of the Exchange Property Values as of each of the five Averaging Dates. | |
“Exchange Property Value” means (x) for any cash received in any Reorganization Event, the value, as determined by the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion, as of the date of receipt, of such cash received for one share of such Underlying Stock, as adjusted by the Adjustment Factor at the time of such Reorganization Event, (y) for any property other than cash or securities received in any such Reorganization Event, the market value, as determined by the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion, as of the date of receipt, of such Exchange Property received for one share of such Underlying Stock, as adjusted by the Adjustment Factor at the time of such Reorganization Event and (z) for any security received in any such Reorganization Event, an amount equal to the closing price, as of the day on which the Exchange Property Value is determined, per share of such security multiplied by the quantity of such security received for each share of such Underlying Stock, as adjusted by the Adjustment Factor at the time of such Reorganization Event. | |
“Exchange Property” means securities, cash or any other assets distributed to holders of such Underlying Stock in or as a result of any such Reorganization Event, including (A) in the case of the issuance of tracking stock, the reclassified share of such Underlying Stock, (B) in the case of a Spin-Off Event, the share of such Underlying Stock with respect to which the spun-off security was issued, and (C) in the case of any other Reorganization Event where such Underlying Stock continues to be held by the holders receiving such distribution, such Underlying Stock. | |
For purposes of paragraph 5 above, in the case of a consummated tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction involving consideration of particular types, Exchange Property shall be deemed to include the amount of cash or other property delivered by the offeror in the tender or exchange offer (in an amount determined on the basis of the rate of exchange in such tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction). In the event of a tender or exchange offer or a going-private transaction with respect to Exchange Property in which an offeree may elect to receive cash or other property, Exchange Property shall be deemed to include the kind and amount of cash and other property received by offerees who elect to receive cash. | |
Following the occurrence of any Reorganization Event referred to in paragraph 5 above, all references herein to the applicable “Underlying Stock” shall be deemed to refer to the Exchange Property and references to a “share” or “shares” of the applicable Underlying Stock shall be deemed to refer to the applicable unit or units of such Exchange Property, unless the context otherwise requires. | |
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No adjustment to an Adjustment Factor shall be required unless such adjustment would require a change of at least 0.1% in the Adjustment Factor then in effect. The Adjustment Factor resulting from any of the adjustments specified above shall be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward. Adjustments to the Adjustment Factors shall be made up to the close of business on the final Averaging Date. | |
No adjustments to an Adjustment Factor or method of calculating an Adjustment Factor will be required other than those specified above. The adjustments specified above do not cover all events that could affect the closing prices of the Underlying Stocks, including, without limitation, a partial tender or exchange offer for such Underlying Stock. | |
The Calculation Agent shall be solely responsible for the determination and calculation of any adjustments to an Adjustment Factor or method of calculating the Exchange Property Value and of any related determinations and calculations with respect to any distributions of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) in connection with any corporate event described in paragraphs 1 through 5 above, and its determinations and calculations with respect thereto shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. | |
The Calculation Agent will provide information as to any adjustments to an Adjustment Factor, or to the method of calculating the amount payable at maturity of the Securities made pursuant to paragraph 5 above, upon written request by any investor in the Securities. | |
Alternate Exchange Calculation | |
in Case of an Event of Default | If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities will 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: |
• | the lowest amount that a Qualified Financial Institution would charge to effect this assumption or undertaking, plus |
• | the reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the holders of the Securities in preparing any documentation necessary for this assumption or undertaking. |
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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 will, or will 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 DTC 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: | |
• | no quotation of the kind referred to above is obtained, or |
• | every 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 | |
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final Averaging Date, then the Acceleration Amount will equal the principal amount of the Securities. | |
Qualified Financial Institutions | |
For the purpose of determining the Acceleration Amount at any time, a Qualified Financial Institution must be a financial institution organized under the laws of any jurisdiction in the | |
United States or Europe, which at that time has outstanding debt obligations with a stated maturity of one year or less from the date of issue and rated either: |
• | A-2 or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or any successor, or any other comparable rating then used by that rating agency, or |
• | P-2 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service or any successor, or any other comparable rating then used by that rating agency. |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SECURITIES
Interest Rate | None |
Book Entry Note or Certificated Note | Book Entry. 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, DTC and will be registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. DTC’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 DTC. In this pricing supplement, all references to actions taken by “you” or to be taken by “you” refer to actions taken or to be taken by DTC and its participants acting on your behalf, and all references to payments or notices to you will mean payments or notices to DTC, as the registered holder of the Securities, for distribution to participants in accordance with DTC’s procedures. For more information regarding DTC and book-entry securities, please read “Forms of Securities—The Depositary” and “Forms of Securities—Global Securities—Registered Global Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. |
CCL Stock; Public Information | Carnival Corporation is a leisure travel company. CCL Stock is registered under the Exchange Act. Companies with securities registered under the Exchange Act are required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). Information provided to or filed with the Commission electronically can be accessed through a website maintained by the Commission. The address of the Commission’s website is.www.sec.gov. Information provided to or filed with the Commission by Carnival Corporation pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to Commission file number 001-09610. In addition, information regarding Carnival Corporation may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. |
This pricing supplement relates only to the Securities offered hereby and does not relate to CCL Stock or other securities of Carnival Corporation. We have derived all disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding Carnival Corporation from the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph. In connection with the offering of the Securities, neither we nor the Agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to Carnival Corporation in connection with the offering of the Securities. Neither we nor the Agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents are or any other publicly available information regarding Carnival Corporation is accurate or complete. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly
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available documents described in the preceding paragraph) that would affect the trading price of CCL Stock (and therefore the price of CCL Stock at the time we price the Securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning Carnival Corporation could affect the value received at maturity with respect to the Securities and therefore the value of the Securities.
Neither we nor any of our affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of CCL Stock.
We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with Carnival Corporation, including extending loans to, or making equity investments in, Carnival Corporation or providing advisory services to Carnival Corporation, including merger and acquisition advisory services. In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to Carnival Corporation, 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 Carnival Corporation, and the reports may or may not recommend that investors buy or hold CCL Stock. As a prospective purchaser of the Securities, you should undertake an independent investigation of Carnival Corporation as in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment linked to CCL Stock.
LYFT Stock; Public Information | Lyft, Inc. is a multimodal transportation network in the United States and Canada. LYFT Stock is registered under the Exchange Act. Companies with securities registered under the Exchange Act are required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). Information provided to or filed with the Commission electronically can be accessed through a website maintained by the Commission. The address of the Commission’s website is.www.sec.gov. Information provided to or filed with the Commission by Lyft, Inc. pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to Commission file number 001-38846. In addition, information regarding Lyft, Inc. may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. |
This pricing supplement relates only to the Securities offered hereby and does not relate to LYFT Stock or other securities of Lyft, Inc. We have derived all disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding Lyft, Inc. from the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph. In connection with the offering of the Securities, neither we nor the Agent has participated in the preparation of such
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documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to Lyft, Inc. in connection with the offering of the Securities. Neither we nor the Agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents are or any other publicly available information regarding Lyft, Inc. is accurate or complete. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph) that would affect the trading price of LYFT Stock (and therefore the price of LYFT Stock at the time we price the Securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning Lyft, Inc. could affect the value received at maturity with respect to the Securities and therefore the value of the Securities.
Neither we nor any of our affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of LYFT Stock.
We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with Lyft, Inc., including extending loans to, or making equity investments in, Lyft, Inc. or providing advisory services to Lyft, Inc., including merger and acquisition advisory services. In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to Lyft, Inc., 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 Lyft, Inc., and the reports may or may not recommend that investors buy or hold LYFT Stock. As a prospective purchaser of the Securities, you should undertake an independent investigation of Lyft, Inc. as in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment linked to LYFT Stock.
WYNN Stock; Public Information | Wynn Resorts, Limited is a developer, owner and operator of destination casino resorts. WYNN Stock is registered under the Exchange Act. Companies with securities registered under the Exchange Act are required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). Information provided to or filed with the Commission electronically can be accessed through a website maintained by the Commission. The address of the Commission’s website is.www.sec.gov. Information provided to or filed with the Commission by Wynn Resorts, Limited pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to Commission file number 000-50028. In addition, information regarding Wynn Resorts, Limited may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. |
This pricing supplement relates only to the Securities offered hereby and does not relate to WYNN Stock or other securities
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of Wynn Resorts, Limited. We have derived all disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding Wynn Resorts, Limited from the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph. In connection with the offering of the Securities, neither we nor the Agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to Wynn Resorts, Limited in connection with the offering of the Securities. Neither we nor the Agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents are or any other publicly available information regarding Wynn Resorts, Limited is accurate or complete. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph) that would affect the trading price of WYNN Stock (and therefore the price of WYNN Stock at the time we price the Securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning Wynn Resorts, Limited could affect the value received at maturity with respect to the Securities and therefore the value of the Securities.
Neither we nor any of our affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of WYNN Stock.
We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with Wynn Resorts, Limited, including extending loans to, or making equity investments in, Wynn Resorts, Limited or providing advisory services to Wynn Resorts, Limited, including merger and acquisition advisory services. In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to Wynn Resorts, Limited, 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 Wynn Resorts, Limited, and the reports may or may not recommend that investors buy or hold WYNN Stock. As a prospective purchaser of the Securities, you should undertake an independent investigation of Wynn Resorts, Limited as in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment linked to WYNN Stock.
Historical Information | The following tables set forth the published high and low Closing Prices of, as well as end-of-quarter Closing Prices, of CCL Stock and WYNN Stock in the period from January 1, 2018 through May 21, 2021, and of LYFT Stock in the period from March 29, 2019 through May 21, 2021. The Closing Price of the CCL Stock on May 21, 2021 was $27.17, the Closing Price of the LYFT Stock on May 21, 2021 was $52.32 and the Closing Price of the WYNN Stock on May 21, 2021 was $127.36. We obtained the information in the tables below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical prices |
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of each Underlying Stock set out in the tables below should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Closing Price of any Underlying Stock on the Averaging Dates. |
If the Final Share Price of any Underlying Stock is less than its respective Downside Threshold Level, you will lose a significant portion or all of your investment.
Carnival Corporation
Historical High, Low and Period End Closing Prices
January 1, 2018 through May 21, 2021
High ($) | Low ($) | Period End ($) | ||
2018 | ||||
First Quarter | $71.94 | $64.41 | $65.58 | |
Second Quarter | $66.27 | $57.16 | $57.31 | |
Third Quarter | $67.17 | $56.76 | $63.77 | |
Fourth Quarter | $63.55 | $46.21 | $49.30 | |
2019 | ||||
First Quarter | $58.85 | $47.37 | $50.72 | |
Second Quarter | $55.82 | $45.38 | $46.55 | |
Third Quarter | $50.55 | $43.03 | $43.71 | |
Fourth Quarter | $51.33 | $40.13 | $50.83 | |
2020 | ||||
First Quarter | $51.90 | $9.30 | $13.17 | |
Second Quarter | $24.91 | $7.97 | $16.42 | |
Third Quarter | $18.53 | $13.07 | $15.18 | |
Fourth Quarter | $23.57 | $12.30 | $21.66 | |
2021 | ||||
First Quarter | $29.79 | $18.67 | $26.54 | |
Second Quarter (through May 21, 2021) | $29.30 | $24.78 | $27.17 |
The following graph shows the daily Closing Prices of CCL Stock from January 1, 2016 through May 21, 2021. We obtained the information in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical Closing Prices should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Closing Prices on the Averaging Dates.
Historical Daily Closing Prices of Carnival Corporation
January 1, 2016 through May 21, 2021
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*The red solid line indicates the Downside Threshold Level of $16.518, which is 60% of the Initial Share Price.
Lyft, Inc.
Historical High, Low and Period End Closing Prices
March 29, 2019 through May 21, 2021
High ($) | Low ($) | Period End ($) | ||
2019 | ||||
First Quarter (from March 29, 2019) | $78.29 | $72.00 | $78.29 | |
Second Quarter | $74.45 | $48.15 | $65.71 | |
Third Quarter | $67.45 | $40.84 | $40.84 | |
Fourth Quarter | $49.37 | $37.70 | $43.02 | |
2020 | ||||
First Quarter | $53.94 | $16.05 | $26.85 | |
Second Quarter | $40.98 | $22.00 | $33.01 | |
Third Quarter | $33.22 | $26.77 | $27.55 | |
Fourth Quarter | $50.34 | $22.23 | $49.13 | |
2021 | ||||
First Quarter | $67.42 | $43.62 | $63.18 | |
Second Quarter (through May 21, 2021) | $64.64 | $46.02 | $52.32 |
The following graph shows the daily Closing Prices of LYFT Stock from March 29, 2019 through May 21, 2021. The class A common stock of Lyft, Inc. began trading on March 29, 2019 and therefore has limited historical performance. We obtained the information in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical Closing Prices should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Closing Prices on the Averaging Dates.
Historical Daily Closing Prices of Lyft, Inc.
March 29, 2019** through May 21, 2021
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*The red solid line indicates the Downside Threshold Level of $31.176, which is 60% of the Initial Share Price.
**The class A common stock of Lyft, Inc. began trading on March 29, 2019 and therefore has limited historical performance.
Wynn Resorts, Limited
Historical High, Low and Period End Closing Prices
January 1, 2018 through May 21, 2021
High ($) | Low ($) | Period End ($) | ||
2018 | ||||
First Quarter | $200.60 | $162.00 | $182.36 | |
Second Quarter | $201.51 | $163.91 | $167.34 | |
Third Quarter | $166.78 | $127.06 | $127.06 | |
Fourth Quarter | $127.14 | $92.01 | $ 98.91 | |
2019 | ||||
First Quarter | $131.75 | $103.39 | $119.32 | |
Second Quarter | $149.30 | $ 103.57 | $123.99 | |
Third Quarter | $140.88 | $ 102.50 | $108.72 | |
Fourth Quarter | $140.94 | $ 102.57 | $138.87 | |
2020 | ||||
First Quarter | $152.21 | $43.02 | $ 60.19 | |
Second Quarter | $108.80 | $48.50 | $74.49 | |
Third Quarter | $91.55 | $70.69 | $ 71.81 | |
Fourth Quarter | $115.93 | $69.01 | $112.83 | |
2021 | ||||
First Quarter | $140.00 | $99.53 | $125.37 | |
Second Quarter (through May 21, 2021) | $136.37 | $120.91 | $127.36 |
The following graph shows the daily Closing Prices of WYNN Stock from January 1, 2016 through May 21, 2021. We obtained the information in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical Closing Prices should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Closing Prices on the Averaging Dates.
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Historical Daily Closing Prices of Wynn Resorts, Limited
January 1, 2016 through May 21, 2021
*The red solid line indicates the Downside Threshold Level of $75.978, which is 60% of the Initial Share Price.
Use of Proceeds and Hedging | The proceeds from the sale of the Securities will be used by us for general corporate purposes. We will receive, in aggregate, $1,000 per Security issued, because, when we enter into hedging transactions in order to meet our obligations under the Securities, our hedging counterparty will reimburse the cost of the Agent’s commissions. The costs of the Securities borne by you and described beginning on page PS-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 May 20, 2021, 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 Underlying Stocks, in futures and/or options contracts on the Underlying Stocks 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 price of an Underlying Stock on May 20, 2021, and, therefore, could increase the Downside Threshold Level of such Underlying Stock, which is the price at or above which such Underlying Stock must close on the Averaging Dates so that investors do not suffer a significant loss on their initial investment in the Securities (depending also on the performance of the other Underlying Stocks). In addition, through our affiliates, we are likely to modify our hedge position throughout the term of the Securities, including on the Averaging Dates, by purchasing and selling the Underlying Stocks, futures
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or options contracts on the Underlying 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 Securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the Averaging Dates approach. We cannot give any assurance that our hedging activities will not affect the price of any Underlying Stock, and, therefore, adversely affect the value of the Securities or the payment you will receive at maturity, if any (depending also on the performance of the other Underlying Stocks).
Supplemental
Information Concerning Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and their affiliates will act as placement agents for the Securities and will receive a fee from us or one of our affiliates that will not exceed $4 per $1,000 stated principal amount of Securities, but will forgo any fees for sales to certain fiduciary accounts. |
MS & Co. is an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, and it and other affiliates of ours expect to make a profit by selling, structuring and, when applicable, hedging the Securities.
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.
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 after the offering. A naked short position in the Securities 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 Underlying Stocks 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 prices 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.
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Validity of the Securities | In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, as special counsel to MSFL and Morgan Stanley, when the Securities offered by this pricing supplement have been executed and issued by MSFL, authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) and delivered against payment as contemplated herein, such Securities will be valid and binding obligations of MSFL and the related guarantee will be a valid and binding obligation of Morgan Stanley, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith), provided that such counsel expresses no opinion as to (i) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above and (ii) any provision of the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture that purports to avoid the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law by limiting the amount of Morgan Stanley’s obligation under the related guarantee. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture and its authentication of the Securities and the validity, binding nature and enforceability of the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture with respect to the trustee, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated November 16, 2020, which is Exhibit 5-a to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by Morgan Stanley on November 16, 2020. |
United States Federal Taxation | 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 pricing supplement and is superseded by the following discussion. |
The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences and certain estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Securities. This discussion applies only to investors in the Securities who:
● | 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; |
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● | insurance companies; |
● | certain dealers and 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 pricing supplement, changes to any of which subsequent to the date hereof may affect the tax consequences described herein.
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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, a Security should be treated as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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 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.
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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.
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.
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
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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 |
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● | 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. |
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
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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, 2023 that do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security. Based on our determination that the Securities do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security, our counsel is of the opinion that the Securities should not be Specified Securities and, therefore, should not be subject to Section 871(m).
Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Section 871(m) is complex and its application may depend on your particular circumstances, including whether you enter into other transactions with respect to an Underlying Security. If Section 871(m) withholding is required, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the Securities.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax
Individual Non-U.S. Holders and entities the property of which is potentially includible in such an individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such
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an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty exemption, the Securities may be treated as U.S. situs property subject to U.S. federal estate tax. Prospective investors that are non-U.S. individuals, or are entities of the type described above, should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of an investment in the Securities.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment on the Securities at maturity as well as in connection with the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the Securities. A Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding in respect of amounts paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, unless such Non-U.S. Holder complies with certification procedures to establish that it is not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise establishes an exemption. Compliance with the certification procedures described above under “―Tax Treatment upon Sale, Exchange or Settlement of the Securities – Certification Requirement” will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding as well. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the Non-U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
FATCA
Legislation commonly referred to as “FATCA” generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on payments to certain non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries) with respect to certain financial instruments, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements have been satisfied. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the non-U.S. entity’s jurisdiction may modify these requirements. FATCA generally applies to certain financial instruments that are treated as paying U.S.-source interest or other U.S.-source “fixed or determinable annual or periodical” income (“FDAP income”). 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 recently proposed regulations (the preamble to which specifies that taxpayers are permitted to rely on them pending finalization), no withholding will apply on payments of gross proceeds (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.
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The discussion in the preceding paragraphs under “United States Federal Taxation,” 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.
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