424B2 1 ms131_424b2-17225.htm PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 131

November 2023

Pricing Supplement No. 131

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

Dated November 30, 2023

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Structured Investments

Opportunities in U.S. Equities

Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature Based on the Performance of the S&P 500® Index due December 5, 2028, With 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley

Principal at Risk Securities

The securities are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley Finance LLC (“MSFL”) and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley. The securities do not provide for the regular payment of interest, will provide a minimum payment at maturity of only 10% of the stated principal amount and have the terms described in the accompanying product supplement, index supplement and prospectus, as supplemented or modified by this document. Beginning after one year, the securities will be automatically redeemed if the index closing value on any of the annual determination dates is greater than or equal to the initial index value, for an early redemption payment that will increase over the term of the securities and that will correspond to a return of approximately 9.60% per annum, as described below. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed. At maturity, if the securities have not previously been redeemed and the final index value is greater than or equal to the initial index value, investors will receive a fixed positive return that will also correspond to a return of approximately 9.60% per annum, as set forth below. If the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final index value is less than the initial index value but has not decreased by an amount greater than the specified buffer amount, investors will receive the stated principal amount of their investment. However, if the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final index value is less than the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount, investors will lose 1% for every 1% decline beyond the specified buffer amount, subject to the minimum payment at maturity of 10% of the stated principal amount. Accordingly, investors may lose up to 90% of the stated principal amount of the securities. These long-dated securities are for investors who are willing to risk their principal and forego current income and participation in the appreciation of the underlying index in exchange for the possibility of receiving an early redemption payment or payment at maturity greater than the stated principal amount if the underlying index closes at or above the initial index value on a annual determination date or the final determination date, respectively, with no possibility of an early redemption until after the one-year non-call period and the buffer feature that applies only to a limited range of performance of the underlying index. Investors will not participate in any appreciation of the S&P 500® Index. 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.

FINAL TERMS

Issuer:

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Guarantor:

Morgan Stanley

Underlying index:

S&P 500® Index

Aggregate principal amount:

$3,000,000

Stated principal amount:

$1,000 per security

Issue price:

$1,000 per security

Pricing date:

November 30, 2023

Original issue date:

December 5, 2023 (3 business days after the pricing date)

Maturity date:

December 5, 2028

Early redemption:

The securities are not subject to automatic early redemption until approximately one year after the original issue date. Following the initial 1-year non-call period, if, on any annual determination date (other than the final determination date), beginning on December 3, 2024, the index closing value of the underlying index is greater than or equal to the initial index value, the securities will be automatically redeemed for the applicable early redemption payment on the related early redemption date.

Early redemption payment:

The early redemption payment will be an amount in cash per stated principal amount (corresponding to a return of approximately 9.60% per annum) for each annual determination date. See “Determination Dates, Early Redemption Dates and Early Redemption Payments” below.

No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed.

Determination dates:

Annually. See “Determination Dates, Early Redemption Dates and Early Redemption Payments” below. We also refer to November 30, 2028 as the final determination date.

The determination dates are subject to postponement for non-index business days and certain market disruption events.

Early redemption dates:

The third business day after the relevant determination date. See “Determination Dates, Early Redemption Dates and Early Redemption Payments” below. If any such day is not a business day, the early redemption payment, if payable, will be paid on the next business day, and no adjustment will be made to the early redemption payment.

Initial index value:

4,567.80, which is the index closing value on the pricing date

Final index value:

The index closing value on the final determination date

Payment at maturity:

If the securities have not previously been redeemed, you will receive at maturity a cash payment per security as follows:

If the final index value is greater than or equal to the initial index value:

$1,480.00

If the final index value is less than the initial index value but has decreased from the initial index value by an amount less than or equal to the buffer amount of 10%:

$1,000

If the final index value is less than the initial index value and has decreased from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%:

$1,000 + [$1,000 × (index return + 10%)]

Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount of $1,000. However, under no circumstances will the securities pay less than the minimum payment at maturity of $100 per security.

Buffer amount:

10%. As a result of the buffer amount of 10%, the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the final determination date so that investors do not suffer a loss on their initial investment in the securities is 4,111.02, which is 90% of the initial index value.

Minimum payment at maturity:

$100 per security (10% of the stated principal amount)

Index return:

(Final index value – initial index value) / initial index value

CUSIP:

61775MH58

ISIN:

US61775MH581

Listing:

The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

Agent:

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS & Co.”), an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. See “Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest.”

Estimated value on the pricing date:

$979.40 per security. See “Investment Summary” beginning on page 3.

Commissions and issue price:

Price to public(1)

Agent’s commissions and fees(2)

Proceeds to us(3)

Per security

$1,000

$7.50

$992.50

Total

$3,000,000

$22,500

$2,977,500

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

(2)MS & Co. expects to sell all of the securities that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated dealer at a price of $992.50 per security, for further sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts at the price to public of $1,000 per security. MS & Co. will not receive a sales commission with respect to the securities. See “Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest.” For additional information, see “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying product supplement.

(3)See “Use of proceeds and hedging” on page 19.

The securities involve risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11.

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

The 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.

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

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

Product Supplement for Auto-Callable Securities dated November 16, 2023  Index Supplement dated November 16, 2023  Prospectus dated November 16, 2023

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

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Determination Dates, Early Redemption Dates and Early Redemption Payments (Beginning After One Year)

Determination Dates

Early Redemption Dates

Early Redemption Payments (per $1,000 Security)

1st determination date: December 3, 2024

1st early redemption date: December 6, 2024

$1,096.00

2nd determination date: November 28, 2025

2nd early redemption date: December 3, 2025

$1,192.00

3rd determination date: November 30, 2026

3rd early redemption date: December 3, 2026

$1,288.00

4th determination date: November 30, 2027

4th early redemption date: December 3, 2027

$1,384.00

Final determination date: November 30, 2028

See “Maturity date” above.

See “Payment at maturity” above.

November 2023 Page 2

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Investment Summary

Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

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Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature Based on the Performance of the S&P 500® Index due December 5, 2028, With 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period (the “securities”) do not provide for the regular payment of interest and do not guarantee the full repayment of principal. Instead, beginning after one year, the securities will be automatically redeemed if the index closing value on any annual determination date is greater than or equal to the initial index value, for an early redemption payment that will increase over the term of the securities and that will correspond to a return of approximately 9.60% per annum, as described below. At maturity, if the securities have not previously been redeemed and the final index value is greater than or equal to the initial index value, investors will receive a fixed positive return that will also correspond to a return of approximately 9.60% per annum, as set forth below. If the final index value is less than the initial index value but has not decreased by an amount greater than the specified buffer amount, investors will receive the stated principal of $1,000. However, if the final index value is less than the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount, investors will lose 1% for every 1% decline beyond the specified buffer amount, subject to the minimum payment at maturity of 10% of the stated principal amount. Accordingly, investors must be willing to accept the risk of losing up to 90% of the stated principal amount of the securities.

Maturity:

5 years

Automatic early redemption:

The securities are not subject to automatic early redemption until approximately one year after the original issue date. Following this initial 1-year non-call period, if, on any annual determination date, the index closing value of the underlying index is greater than or equal to the initial index value, the securities will be automatically redeemed for the early redemption payment on the related early redemption date.

Early redemption payment:

The early redemption payment will be an amount in cash per stated principal amount (corresponding to a return of approximately 9.60% per annum) for each annual determination date, as follows:

1st determination date: $1,096.00

2nd determination date: $1,192.00

3rd determination date: $1,288.00

4th determination date: $1,384.00

No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed.

Payment at maturity:

If the securities have not previously been redeemed, you will receive at maturity a cash payment per security as follows:

If the final index value is greater than or equal to the initial index value:

$1,480.00

If the final index value is less than the initial index value but has decreased from the initial index value by an amount less than or equal to the buffer amount of 10%:

$1,000

If the final index value is less than the initial index value and has decreased from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%:

$1,000 + [$1,000 × (index return + 10%)]

If the final index value is less than the initial index value and has decreased from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount, the payment at

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maturity will be less than the stated principal amount of $1,000. However, under no circumstances will the securities pay less than $100 per security at maturity. Accordingly, investors must be willing to accept the risk of losing up to 90% of the stated principal amount of the securities.

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The original issue price of each security is $1,000. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date is less than $1,000. We estimate that the value of each security on the pricing date is $979.40.

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 index. The estimated value of the securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the underlying index, instruments based on the underlying index, volatility and other factors including current and expected interest rates, as well as an interest rate related to our secondary market credit spread, which is the implied interest rate at which our conventional fixed rate debt trades in the secondary market.

What determines the economic terms of the securities?

In determining the economic terms of the securities, including the early redemption payment amounts, the buffer amount and the minimum payment at maturity, we use an internal funding rate, which is likely to be lower than our secondary market credit spreads and therefore advantageous to us. If the issuing, selling, structuring and hedging costs borne by you were lower or if the internal funding rate were higher, one or more of the economic terms of the securities would be more favorable to you.

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

The price at which MS & Co. purchases the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying index, 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 index, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value. We expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.

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

 

 

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Key Investment Rationale

The securities do not provide for the regular payment of interest. Instead, beginning after one year, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption amount (corresponding to a return of approximately 9.60% per annum) if the index closing value on any annual determination date is greater than or equal to the initial index value.

The following scenarios are for illustrative purposes only to demonstrate how an automatic early redemption payment or the payment at maturity (if the securities have not previously been redeemed) are calculated, and do not attempt to demonstrate every situation that may occur. Accordingly, the securities may or may not be redeemed prior to maturity and the payment at maturity may be up to 90% less than the stated principal amount of the securities.

Scenario 1: The securities are redeemed prior to maturity

Beginning after one year, when the underlying index closes at or above the initial index value on any annual determination date, the securities will be automatically redeemed for the applicable early redemption payment on the related early redemption date (corresponding to a return of approximately 9.60% per annum). Investors do not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index.

Scenario 2: The securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, and investors receive a fixed positive return at maturity

This scenario assumes that the underlying index closes below the initial index value on each of the annual determination dates (beginning after one year). Consequently, the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity. On the final determination date, the underlying index closes at or above the initial index value. At maturity, investors will receive a cash payment equal to $1,480.00 per stated principal amount, corresponding to a return of approximately 9.60% per annum. Investors do not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index.

Scenario 3: The securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, and investors receive the stated principal amount at maturity

This scenario assumes that the underlying index closes below the initial index value on each of the annual determination dates (beginning after one year). Consequently, the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity. On the final determination date, the underlying index closes below the initial index value but is not less than the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%. At maturity, investors will receive a cash payment equal to the stated principal amount of $1,000.

Scenario 4: The securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, and investors suffer a loss of principal at maturity

This scenario assumes that the underlying index closes below the initial index value on each of the annual determination dates (beginning after one year). Consequently, the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity. On the final determination date, the underlying index closes below the initial index value and is less than the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%. At maturity, investors will receive an amount that is less than the stated principal amount by an amount that is proportionate to the percentage decrease of the underlying index from the initial index value beyond the buffer amount. Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount. Investors may lose up to 90% of their investment in the securities.

 

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Hypothetical Examples

The following hypothetical examples are for illustrative purposes only. Whether the securities are redeemed prior to maturity will be determined by reference to the index closing value on each of the annual determination dates (beginning after one year), and the payment at maturity will be determined by reference to the index closing value on the final determination date. The actual initial index value is set forth on the cover of this document. Some numbers appearing in the examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis. All payments on the securities are subject to our credit risk. The below examples are based on the following terms:

Hypothetical Initial Index Value:

4,000

Early Redemption Payment:

The early redemption payment will be an amount in cash per stated principal amount (corresponding to a return of approximately 9.60% per annum) for each annual determination date (beginning after one year), as follows:

1st determination date: $1,096.00

2nd determination date: $1,192.00

3rd determination date: $1,288.00

4th determination date: $1,384.00

No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed.

Payment at Maturity:

If the securities have not previously been redeemed, you will receive at maturity a cash payment per security as follows:

If the final index value is greater than or equal to the initial index value:

1,480.00

If the final index value is less than the initial index value but has decreased from the initial index value by an amount less than or equal to the buffer amount of 10%:

$1,000

If the final index value is less than the initial index value and has decreased from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%:

$1,000 + [$1,000 × (index return + 10%)]

Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount of $1,000. However, under no circumstances will the securities pay less than the minimum payment at maturity of $100 per security.

Stated Principal Amount:

$1,000

 

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Automatic Call:

Example 1 — the securities are redeemed following the second determination date

Date

Index Closing Value

Payment (per Security)

1st Determination Date

2,800 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

2nd Determination Date

4,250 (at or above the initial index value, securities are automatically redeemed)

$1,192.00

In this example, the index closing value on the first determination date is below the initial index value, and the index closing value on the second determination date is at or above the initial index value. Therefore the securities are automatically redeemed on the second early redemption date. Investors will receive $1,192.00 per security on the related early redemption date, corresponding to an annual return of approximately 9.60%. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed, and investors do not participate in the appreciation of the underlying index.

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Payment at Maturity

In the following examples, the index closing value on each of the annual determination dates (beginning after one year) is less than the initial index value, and, consequently, the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to, and remain outstanding until, maturity.

Example 1 — the final index value is at or above the initial index value

Date

Index Closing Value

Payment (per Security)

1st Determination Date

2,500 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

2nd Determination Date

2,200 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

3rd Determination Date

2,900 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

4th Determination Date

3,300 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

Final Determination Date

6,800 (at or above the initial index value)

1,480.00

In this example, the index closing value is below the initial index value on each of the determination dates before the final determination date, and therefore the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity. On the final determination date, the underlying index has appreciated 70% from the hypothetical initial index value. At maturity, investors receive 1,480.00 per security, corresponding to an annual return of approximately 9.60%. However, investors do not participate in the appreciation of the underlying index over the term of the securities.

Example 2 — the final index value is below the initial index value but has decreased from the initial index value by an amount less than or equal to the buffer amount of 10%:

Date

Index Closing Value

Payment (per Security)

1st Determination Date

2,500 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

2nd Determination Date

2,200 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

3rd Determination Date

2,900 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

4th Determination Date

3,300 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

Final Determination Date

3,900 (below the initial index value, but has decreased from the initial index value by an amount less than or equal to the buffer amount of 10%)

$1,000.00

In this example, the index closing value is below the initial index value on each of the determination dates before the final determination date, and therefore the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity. On the final determination date, the final index value is below the initial index value but has decreased from the initial index value by an amount less than or equal to

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the buffer amount of 10%, and accordingly, investors receive a payment at maturity equal to the stated principal amount of $1,000.00 per security.

Example 3 — the final index value has decreased from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%

Date

Index Closing Value

Payment (per Security)

1st Determination Date

2,500 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

2nd Determination Date

2,200 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

3rd Determination Date

2,900 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

4th Determination Date

2,500 (below the initial index value, securities are not redeemed)

--

Final Determination Date

2,000 (below the initial index value and has decreased from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%)

$1,000 + [$1,000 × (index return + 10%)] = $1,000 + [$1,000 × (-50% + 10%)] = $600.00

In this example, the index closing value is below the initial index value on each of the determination dates before the final determination date, and therefore the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity. On the final determination date, the final index value has decreased from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%, and accordingly, investors lose 1 % for every 1% by which the underlying index has declined over the term of the securities beyond the buffer amount, and will receive a payment at maturity that is significantly less than the stated principal amount of the securities. The payment at maturity is $600.00 per security, representing a loss of 40% on your investment.

If the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity and the final index value is less than the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%, you will lose some, and up to 90%, of your investment in the securities.

 

 

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Risk Factors

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

Risks Relating to an Investment in the Securities

The securities do not pay interest and provide a minimum payment at maturity of only 10% of your principal. The terms of the securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that they do not pay interest and provide a minimum payment at maturity of only 10% of the stated principal amount of the securities, subject to our credit risk. If the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity and if the final index value has declined from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10%, you will receive for each security that you hold at maturity an amount that is less than the stated principal amount by an amount proportionate to the decline in the value of the underlying index from the initial index value beyond the buffer amount. Accordingly, you could lose up to 90% of the stated principal amount of the securities.

The appreciation potential of the securities is limited by the fixed early redemption payment or payment at maturity specified for each determination date. The appreciation potential of the securities is limited to the fixed early redemption payments specified for each determination date, if the underlying index closes at or above the initial index value on any of the first four determination dates, or to the fixed upside payment at maturity, if the securities have not been redeemed prior to maturity and the final index value is at or above the initial index value. In all cases, you will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index, which could be significant.

The market price will be influenced by many unpredictable factors. Several factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence the value of the 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 level of interest rates available in the market and the value of the underlying index on any day will affect the value of the securities more than any other factors. Other factors that may influence the value of the securities include:

othe volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in value) of the S&P 500® Index,

ogeopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the component stocks of the underlying index or securities markets generally and which may affect the value of the underlying index,

odividend rates on the securities underlying the S&P 500® Index,

othe time remaining until the securities mature,

ointerest and yield rates in the market,

othe availability of comparable instruments,

othe composition of the S&P 500® Index and changes in the constituent stocks of such index, and

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

Generally, the longer the time remaining to maturity, the more the market price of the securities will be affected by the other factors described above. Some or all of these factors will influence the price that you will receive if you sell your securities prior to maturity. You cannot predict the future performance of the S&P 500® Index based on its historical performance. There can be no assurance that the closing value of the underlying index will be at or above the initial index value on any of the annual determination dates (beginning after one year) or that the final index level will not decrease from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 10% so that you do not suffer a loss on your initial investment in the securities. See “S&P 500® Index Overview” below.

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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 upon an early redemption or 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.

Reinvestment risk. The term of your investment in the securities may be shortened due to the automatic early redemption feature of the securities. If the securities are redeemed prior to maturity, you will receive no further payments on the securities and may be forced to invest in a lower interest rate environment and may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. However, under no circumstances will the securities be redeemed in the first year of the term of the securities.

The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and secondary trading may be limited, and accordingly, you should be willing to hold your securities for the entire 5-year term of the securities. 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 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.

Not equivalent to investing in the underlying index. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlying index or its component stocks. Investors in the securities will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index, and will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to stocks that constitute the underlying index.

The rate we are willing to pay for securities of this type, maturity and issuance size is likely to be lower than the rate implied by our secondary market credit spreads and advantageous to us. Both the lower rate and the inclusion of costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the 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

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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 index, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value, and we expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.

The estimated value of the 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 document will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including our creditworthiness and changes in market conditions. See also “The market price will be influenced by many unpredictable factors” above.

Hedging and trading activity by our affiliates could potentially 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 index or its component stocks), including trading in the stocks that constitute the underlying index as well as in other instruments related to the underlying index. As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the final determination date approaches. Some of our affiliates also trade the stocks that constitute the underlying index and other financial instruments related to the underlying index on a regular basis as part of their general broker-dealer and other businesses. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the pricing date could increase the initial index value, and, therefore, could increase (i) the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the determination dates so that the securities are redeemed prior to maturity for the early redemption payment, or so that you receive a positive return at maturity, and (ii) the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the final determination date so that you are not exposed to the negative performance of the underlying index at maturity. Additionally, such hedging or trading activities during the term of the securities could potentially affect the value of the underlying index on the determination dates, and, accordingly, whether we redeem the securities prior to maturity and the amount of cash you will receive at maturity.

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 index value, whether the securities will be redeemed on any early redemption date, the final index value and the payment you will receive at maturity. Moreover, certain determinations made by MS & Co., in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, such as with respect to the occurrence or non-occurrence of market disruption events and the selection of a successor index or calculation of the index closing value in the event of a market disruption event or discontinuance of the underlying index, may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity. For further information regarding these types of determinations, see "Description of Auto-Callable Securities—Postponement of Determination Dates," "—Alternate Exchange Calculation in Case of an Event of Default,” "—Discontinuance of Any Underlying Index; Alternation of Method of Calculation” and "—Calculation Agent and Calculations" in the accompanying product supplement. In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date.

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Principal at Risk Securities

 

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities are uncertain. Please read the discussion under “Additional Information – Tax considerations” in this document and the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for auto-callable securities (together, the “Tax Disclosure Sections”) concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities. 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 in the Tax Disclosure Sections. There is a risk that the IRS may seek to treat all or a portion of the gain on the securities as ordinary income. For example, due to the terms of the securities and current market conditions, there is a substantial risk that the IRS could seek to recharacterize the securities as debt instruments. In that event, U.S. Holders 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 the Tax Disclosure Sections.

In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. The notice focuses in particular on whether to require holders of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange-traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to which income (including any mandated accruals) realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” rule, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose an interest charge. While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, the issues presented by this notice and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

Risks Relating to the Underlying Index

Adjustments to the underlying index could adversely affect the value of the securities. The publisher of the underlying index may add, delete or substitute the component stocks of the underlying index or make other methodological changes that could change the value of the underlying index. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of the securities. The publisher of the underlying index may also discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of the underlying index at any time. In these circumstances, MS & Co., as the calculation agent, will have the sole discretion to substitute a successor index that is comparable to the discontinued index. MS & Co. could have an economic interest that is different than that of investors in the securities insofar as, for example, MS & Co. is permitted to consider indices that are calculated and published by MS & Co. or any of its affiliates. If MS & Co. determines that there is no appropriate successor index, the determination of whether the securities will be redeemed on any subsequent early redemption date or the payment at maturity, as applicable, will be based on whether the value of the underlying index based on the closing prices of the securities constituting the underlying index at the time of such discontinuance, without rebalancing or substitution, computed by MS & Co. as calculation agent in accordance with the formula for calculating the underlying index last in effect prior to such discontinuance is greater than or equal to the initial index value or 90% of the initial index value, as applicable.

 

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S&P 500® Index Overview

The S&P 500® Index, which is calculated, maintained and published by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P®”), is intended to provide a benchmark for performance measurement of the large capitalization segment of the U.S. equity markets by tracking the stock price movement of 500 companies with large market capitalizations. Component stocks of the S&P 500® Index are required to have a total company level market capitalization of USD $14.5 billion or more, which reflects approximately the 85th percentile of the S&P® Total Market Index. The S&P 500® Index measures the relative performance of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time as compared to the performance of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. For additional information about the S&P 500® Index, see the information set forth under “S&P® U.S. Indices—S&P 500® Index” in the accompanying index supplement.

Information as of market close on November 30, 2023:

Bloomberg Ticker Symbol:

SPX

Current Index Value:

4,567.80

52 Weeks Ago:

4,080.11

52 Week High (on 7/31/2023):

4,588.96

52 Week Low (on 12/28/2022):

3,783.22

 

The following graph sets forth the published high and low index closing values, as well as end-of-quarter index closing values, of the underlying index for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2018 through November 30, 2023. The related table sets forth the published high and low closing values, as well as end-of-quarter closing values, of the underlying index for each quarter in the same period. The index closing value of the underlying index on November 30, 2023 was 4,567.80. We obtained the information in the table and graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The underlying index has at times experienced periods of high volatility, and you should not take the historical values of the underlying index as an indication of its future performance.

S&P 500® Index

Daily Index Closing Values

January 1, 2018 to November 30, 2023

 

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S&P 500® Index

High

Low

Period End

2018

 

 

 

First Quarter

2,872.87

2,581.00

2,640.87

Second Quarter

2,786.85

2,581.88

2,718.37

Third Quarter

2,930.75

2,713.22

2,913.98

Fourth Quarter

2,925.51

2,351.10

2,506.85

2019

 

 

 

First Quarter

2,854.88

2,447.89

2,834.40

Second Quarter

2,954.18

2,744.45

2,941.76

Third Quarter

3,025.86

2,840.60

2,976.74

Fourth Quarter

3,240.02

2,887.61

3,230.78

2020

 

 

 

First Quarter

3,386.15

2,237.40

2,584.59

Second Quarter

3,232.39

2,470.50

3,100.29

Third Quarter

3,580.84

3,115.86

3,363.00

Fourth Quarter

3,756.07

3,269.96

3,756.07

2021

 

 

 

First Quarter

3,974.54

3,700.65

3,972.89

Second Quarter

4,297.50

4,019.87

4,297.50

Third Quarter

4,536.95

4,258.49

4,307.54

Fourth Quarter

4,793.06

4,300.46

4,766.18

2022

 

 

 

First Quarter

4,796.56

4,170.70

4,530.41

Second Quarter

4,582.64

3,666.77

3,785.38

Third Quarter

4,305.20

3,585.62

3,585.62

Fourth Quarter

4,080.11

3,577.03

3,839.50

2023

 

 

 

First Quarter

4,179.76

3,808.10

4,109.31

Second Quarter

4,450.38

4,055.99

4,450.38

Third Quarter

4,588.96

4,273.53

4,288.05

Fourth Quarter (through November 30, 2023)

4,567.80

4,117.37

4,567.80

 

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

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Additional Terms of the Securities

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

Additional Terms:

If the terms described herein are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying product supplement, index supplement or prospectus, the terms described herein shall control.

Postponement of the maturity date and early redemption dates:

If any determination date is postponed due to a non-index business day or certain market disruption events so that it falls less than two business days prior to the relevant scheduled early redemption date or maturity date, the early redemption date or maturity date will be postponed to the second business day following that determination date as postponed, and no adjustment will be made to any early redemption payment or the payment at maturity made on such postponed date.

Underlying index publisher:

S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC or any successor thereof

Jump securities with auto-callable feature:

The accompanying product supplement refers to these jump securities with auto-callable feature as the “auto-callable securities.”

Denominations:

$1,000 per security and integral multiples thereof

Trustee:

The Bank of New York Mellon

Calculation agent:

MS & Co.

Issuer notice to registered security holders, the trustee and the depositary:

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

In the event that the securities are subject to early redemption, the issuer shall, (i) on the business day following the applicable determination date, give notice of the early redemption and the early redemption payment, including specifying the payment date of the amount due upon the early redemption, (x) to each registered holder of the securities by mailing notice of such early redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such registered holder’s last address as it shall appear upon the registry books, (y) 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 (z) to the depositary by telephone or facsimile confirmed by mailing such notice to the depositary by first class mail, postage prepaid and (ii) on or prior to the early redemption date, deliver the aggregate cash amount due with respect to the securities to the trustee for delivery to the depositary, as holder of the securities. Any notice that is mailed to a registered holder of the securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given to such registered holder, whether or not such registered holder receives the notice. This notice shall be given by the issuer or, at the issuer’s request, by the trustee in the name and at the expense of the issuer, with any such request to be accompanied by a copy of the notice to be given.

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

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Principal at Risk Securities

 

Additional Information About the Securities

Additional Information:

Minimum ticketing size:

$1,000 / 1 security

Tax considerations:

There is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities due to the lack of governing authority. We intend to treat a security as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, this treatment of the securities is reasonable under current law; however, our counsel has advised us that it is unable to conclude affirmatively that this treatment is more likely than not to be upheld, and that alternative treatments are possible.

Assuming this treatment of the securities is respected and subject to the discussion in “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for auto-callable securities, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result based on current law:

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

Upon sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, a U.S. Holder should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if the investor has held the securities for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise.

There is a risk that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may seek to treat all or a portion of the gain on the securities as ordinary income. For example, due to the terms of the securities and current market conditions, there is a substantial risk that the IRS could seek to recharacterize the securities as debt instruments. In that event, U.S. Holders 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.

In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. The notice focuses in particular on whether to require holders of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange-traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to which income (including any mandated accruals) realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” rule, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose an interest charge. While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect.

As discussed in the accompanying product supplement for auto-callable securities, Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities (each, an “Underlying Security”). Subject to certain exceptions, Section 871(m) generally applies to securities that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more Underlying Securities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations (a “Specified Security”). However, pursuant to an IRS notice, Section 871(m) will not apply to securities issued before January 1, 2025 that do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security. Based on our determination that the securities do not

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Principal at Risk Securities

 

have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security, our counsel is of the opinion that the securities should not be Specified Securities and, therefore, should not be subject to Section 871(m).

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

Both U.S. and non-U.S. investors considering an investment in the securities should read the discussion under “Risk Factors” in this document and the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for auto-callable securities and consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, the issues presented by the aforementioned notice and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

The discussion in the preceding paragraphs under “Tax considerations” and the discussion contained in the section entitled “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for auto-callable securities, insofar as they purport to describe provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

 

 

 

 

Use of proceeds and hedging:

The proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used by us for general corporate purposes. We will receive, in aggregate, $1,000 per security issued. The costs of the securities borne by you and described on page 5 above comprise the cost of issuing, structuring and hedging the securities.

On or prior to the pricing date, we will hedge our anticipated exposure in connection with the securities by entering into hedging transactions with our affiliates and/or third party dealers. We expect our hedging counterparties to take positions in the securities constituting the underlying index and in futures and/or options contracts on the underlying index or its component stocks listed on major securities markets. Such purchase activity could potentially increase the initial index value, and, as a result, increase (i) the level at or above which the underlying index must close on the determination dates so that the securities are redeemed prior to maturity for the early redemption payment, or so that you receive a positive return at maturity, and (ii) the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the final determination date so that you are not exposed to the negative performance of the underlying index at maturity. These entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the final determination date approaches. Additionally, our hedging activities, as well as our other trading activities, during the term of the securities could potentially affect the value of the underlying index on the determination dates, and, accordingly, whether we redeem the securities prior to maturity and the amount of cash you will receive at maturity. For further information on our use of proceeds and hedging, see “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement.

Additional considerations:

Client accounts over which Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or any of their respective subsidiaries have investment discretion are not permitted to purchase the securities, either directly or indirectly.

Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest:

MS & Co. expects to sell all of the securities that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated dealer at a price of $992.50 per security, for further sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts at the price to public of $1,000 per security. MS & Co. will not receive a sales commission with respect to the securities.

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

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Principal at Risk Securities

 

conflicts of interest. MS & Co. or any of our other affiliates may not make sales in this offering to any discretionary account. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement for auto-callable securities.

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, 2023, which is Exhibit 5-a to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by Morgan Stanley on November 16, 2023.

Where you can find more information:

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

You may access these documents on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov as follows:

Product Supplement for Auto-Callable Securities dated November 16, 2023

Index Supplement dated November 16, 2023

Prospectus dated November 16, 2023

Terms used but not defined in this document are defined in the product supplement for auto-callable securities, in the index supplement or in the prospectus.

 

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