Risk Factors
For a discussion of the risk factors affecting Morgan Stanley and its
business, including market risk, credit risk, operational risk, liquidity risk, legal, regulatory and compliance risk, risk management, competitive environment, international risk and acquisition, divestiture and joint venture risk, among others,
see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and our current and periodic reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (file number 001-11758)
that are incorporated by reference into this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus.
This section describes certain selected risk factors relating to the notes.
Please see “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus for a complete list of risk factors relating to the notes.
SOFR-Related Risks
During the Floating Rate Period, the interest rate on the notes is based on a daily compounded SOFR rate, which is relatively new in the marketplace. For each Interest Payment Period during the Floating Rate Period for the notes, the interest rate on the notes is based on a daily compounded SOFR rate calculated using the specific formula described in the accompanying
prospectus, not the SOFR rate published on or in respect of a particular date during such Interest Payment Period or an average of SOFR rates during such period. For this and other reasons, the interest rate on the notes during any Interest
Payment Period within the Floating Rate Period will not be the same as the interest rate on other SOFR-linked investments that use an alternative basis to determine the applicable interest rate. Further, if the SOFR rate in respect of a
particular date during an Interest Payment Period within the Floating Rate Period for the notes is negative, the portion of the accrued interest compounding factor specifically attributable to such date will be less than one, resulting in a
reduction to the accrued interest compounding factor used to calculate the interest payable on such notes on the Interest Payment Date for such Interest Payment Period.
In addition, very limited market precedent exists for securities that use
SOFR as the interest rate and the method for calculating an interest rate based upon SOFR in those precedents varies. Accordingly, the specific formula for the daily compounded SOFR rate used in the notes may not be widely adopted by other market
participants, if at all. If the market adopts a different calculation method, that would likely adversely affect the market value of such notes.
The amount of interest payable with respect to each Interest Payment Period during the Floating Rate Period for the notes will be determined near the end of the Interest Payment Period. The level of the Base Rate applicable to each such Interest Payment Period and, therefore, the amount of interest payable with respect to such Interest Payment Period will be
determined on the Interest Payment Period End-Date for such Interest Payment Period (or the Rate Cut-Off Date for the final Interest Payment Period). Because each such date is near the end of such Interest Payment Period, you will not know the
amount of interest payable with respect to each such Interest Payment Period until shortly prior to the related Interest Payment Date and it may be difficult for you to reliably estimate the amount of interest that will be payable on each such
Interest Payment Date.
The price at which the notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount for which they were originally purchased. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to: (i) actual or anticipated changes in the level of SOFR, (ii) volatility of the level of SOFR, (iii) changes in interest and
yield rates, (iv) any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads and (v) the time remaining to maturity of such notes. Generally, the longer the time remaining to maturity and the more tailored the exposure, the more
the market price of the notes will be affected by the other factors described in the preceding sentence. This can lead to significant adverse changes in the market price of securities like the notes. Depending on the actual or anticipated level
of SOFR, the market value of the notes is expected to decrease and you may receive substantially less than 100% of the issue price if you are able to sell your notes prior to maturity.
The issuer, its subsidiaries or affiliates may publish research that could affect the market value of the notes. They also may hedge the issuer’s obligations under such notes. The issuer or one or more of its affiliates may, at present or in the future, publish research reports with respect to movements in interest rates generally, or the LIBOR transition or SOFR
specifically. This research is modified from time to time without notice and may express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the notes. Any of these activities may affect the market value of such
notes. In addition, the issuer’s subsidiaries may hedge the issuer’s obligations under the notes and they may realize a profit from that hedging activity even if investors do not receive a favorable investment return under the terms of such
notes or in any secondary market transaction.
The calculation agent (or, if applicable, we or our designee) will make determinations with respect to the notes. The
calculation agent will make certain determinations with respect to the notes as further described in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred, we or our
designee
will make certain determinations with respect to the notes in our or our designee’s sole discretion as further described under “Description of Debt Securities—SOFR Debt Securities—Determination of SOFR” in the accompanying prospectus. Any of
these determinations may adversely affect the payout to investors. Moreover, certain determinations may require the exercise of discretion and the making of subjective judgments, such as with respect to the Base Rate or the occurrence or
non-occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event and any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you on the notes. For further information regarding these types of
determinations, see “Description of Debt Securities—SOFR Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.
In determining the Base Rate for the final Interest Payment Period in the Floating Rate Period for the notes, the level of SOFR for any day from and including the Rate Cut-Off Date to but excluding the Maturity Date or redemption date, as
applicable, will be the level of SOFR in respect of such Rate Cut-off Date. For the final Interest Payment Period, because the level
of SOFR for any day from and including the Rate Cut-off Date to but excluding the Maturity Date or redemption date, as applicable, will be the level of SOFR in respect of such Rate Cut-Off Date, you will not receive the benefit of any increase in
the level in respect of SOFR beyond the level for such date in connection with the determination of the interest payable with respect to such Interest Payment Period, which could adversely impact the amount of interest payable with respect to
that Interest Payment Period.
Early Redemption Risks
The notes have early redemption risk. In addition to the optional make-whole redemption discussed above under “Fixed/Floating Rate
Notes Due 2024—Other Provisions,” we have the option to redeem the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024, (i) in whole but not in part, on April , 2023
or (ii) in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on or after March , 2024, on at least 5 but not more than 30 days’ prior notice. In addition to the optional make-whole redemption discussed above under “Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Due 2027—Other Provisions,” we have the option to redeem the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027, (i) in whole but not in part, on May , 2026 or (ii) in whole at any
time or in part from time to time, on or after April , 2027, on at least 5 but not more than 30 days’ prior notice. In addition to the optional make-whole redemption discussed above under “Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Due 2042—Other Provisions,” we have the option to redeem the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042, (i) in whole but not in part, on April , 2041 or (ii) in whole at any time or in part from time
to time, on or after October , 2041, on at least 5 but not more than 30 days’ prior notice. It is more likely that we will redeem the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024, the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 or the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 prior to the respective stated maturity
date to the extent that the interest payable on such notes is greater than the interest that would be payable on other instruments of ours of a comparable maturity, of comparable terms and of a comparable credit rating trading in the market. If
the notes are redeemed prior to their respective stated maturity dates, you may have to re-invest the proceeds in a lower interest rate environment.
Optional Redemption
In addition
to the optional make-whole redemption discussed above under “Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Due 2024—Other Provisions,” we may, at our option, redeem the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024, (i) in whole but not in part, on April , 2023 or (ii) in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on or after March , 2024, on at least 5 but not more than 30 days’ prior notice, at a redemption
price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 to but excluding the redemption date. For the avoidance of doubt, if the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 are redeemed in
part, the determination of accrued and unpaid interest on the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 so redeemed (determined using a final Interest Payment Date, final Interest Payment Period End-Date and Rate Cut-Off Date relating to the redemption)
shall have no effect on the determination of accrued and unpaid interest on the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 that are not so redeemed. Further, if fewer than all of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 are to be redeemed, the trustee
will select, not more than 30 days prior to the redemption date, the particular fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 not previously called for redemption by
such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate; provided, that if the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 are represented by one or more global securities, beneficial interests in such fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 will be selected for
redemption by the applicable depositary in accordance with its standard procedures therefor.
In addition
to the optional make-whole redemption discussed above under “Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Due 2027—Other Provisions,” we may, at our
option, redeem the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027, (i) in whole but not in part, on May , 2026 or (ii) in whole at any
time or in part from time to time, on or after April , 2027, on at least 5 but not more than 30 days’ prior notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest on such fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 to but excluding
the redemption date. For the avoidance of doubt, if the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 are redeemed in part, the determination of accrued and unpaid interest on the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 so redeemed (determined using a final
Interest Payment Date, final Interest Payment Period End-Date and Rate Cut-Off Date relating to the redemption) shall have no effect on the determination of accrued and unpaid interest on the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 that are not so
redeemed. Further, if fewer than all of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 are to be redeemed, the trustee will select, not more than 30 days prior to the redemption date, the particular fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 or portions thereof
for redemption from the outstanding fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 not previously called for redemption by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate; provided, that if the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 are represented by one
or more global securities, beneficial interests in such fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 will be selected for redemption by the applicable depositary in accordance with its standard procedures therefor.
In addition
to the optional make-whole redemption discussed above under “Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Due 2042—Other Provisions,” we may, at our
option, redeem the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042, (i) in whole but not in part, on April , 2041 or (ii) in whole at
any time or in part from time to time, on or after October , 2041, on at least 5 but not more than 30 days’ prior notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest on such fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 to
but excluding the redemption date. For the avoidance of doubt, if the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 are redeemed in part, the determination of accrued and unpaid interest on the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 so redeemed (determined
using a final Interest Payment Date, final Interest Payment Period End-Date and Rate Cut-Off Date relating to the redemption) shall have no effect on the determination of accrued and unpaid interest on the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 that
are not so redeemed. Further, if fewer than all of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 are to be redeemed, the trustee will select, not more than 30 days prior to the redemption date, the particular fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 or
portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 not previously called for redemption by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate; provided, that if the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 are
represented by one or more global securities, beneficial interests in such fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 will be selected for redemption by the applicable depositary in accordance with its standard procedures therefor.
On or before the respective redemption date, we will deposit with the
trustee money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the notes to be redeemed on that date. If such money is so deposited, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on such notes (unless we default
in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest) and such notes will cease to be outstanding.
For information regarding notices of redemption, see “Description of Debt
Securities—Redemption and Repurchase of Debt Securities—Notice of Redemption” in the accompanying prospectus.
The notes do not contain any provisions affording the holders the right to
require us to purchase the notes after the occurrence of any change in control event affecting us.
Secured Overnight Financing Rate
SOFR is published by the New York Federal Reserve and is intended to be a
broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities. The New York Federal Reserve reports that SOFR includes all trades in the Broad General Collateral Rate and bilateral Treasury repurchase agreement
(repo) transactions cleared through the delivery-versus-payment service offered by the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (the “FICC”), a subsidiary of The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”), and SOFR is filtered by the New York
Federal Reserve to remove some (but not all) of the foregoing transactions considered to be “specials.” According to the New York Federal Reserve, “specials” are repos for specific-issue collateral, which take place at cash-lending rates below
those for general collateral repos because cash providers are willing to accept a lesser return on their cash in order to obtain a particular security.
The New York Federal Reserve reports that SOFR is calculated as a
volume-weighted median of transaction-level tri-party repo data collected from The Bank of New York Mellon as well as General Collateral Finance Repo transaction data and data on bilateral Treasury repo transactions cleared through the FICC’s
delivery-versus-payment service. The New York Federal Reserve also notes that it obtains information from DTCC Solutions LLC, an affiliate of DTCC.
If data for a
given market segment were unavailable for any day, then the most recently available data for that segment would be utilized, with the rates on each transaction from that day adjusted to account for any change in the level of market rates in that
segment over the intervening period. SOFR would be calculated from this adjusted prior day’s data for segments where current data were unavailable, and unadjusted data for any segments where data were available. To determine the change in the
level of market rates over the intervening period for the missing market segment, the New York Federal Reserve would use information collected through a daily survey conducted by its Trading Desk of primary dealers’ repo borrowing activity. Such
daily survey would include information reported by Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, as a primary dealer.
The New York Federal Reserve notes on its publication page for SOFR that use
of SOFR is subject to important limitations, indemnification obligations and disclaimers, including that the New York Federal Reserve may alter the methods of calculation, publication schedule, rate revision practices or availability of SOFR at
any time without notice.
Each U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the New York Federal Reserve
publishes SOFR on its website at approximately 8:00 a.m., New York City time. If errors are discovered in the transaction data provided by The Bank of New York Mellon or DTCC Solutions LLC, or in the calculation process, subsequent to the
initial publication of SOFR but on that same day, SOFR and the accompanying summary statistics may be republished at approximately 2:30 p.m., New York City time. Additionally, if transaction data from The Bank of New York Mellon or DTCC
Solutions LLC had previously not been available in time for publication, but became available later in the day, the affected rate or rates may be republished at around this time. Rate revisions will only be effected on the same day as initial
publication and will only be republished if the change in the rate exceeds one basis point. Any time a rate is revised, a footnote to the New York Federal Reserve’s publication would indicate the revision. This revision threshold will be
reviewed periodically by the New York Federal Reserve and may be changed based on market conditions.
Because SOFR is published by the New York Federal Reserve based on data
received from other sources, we have no control over its determination, calculation or publication. See “Risk Factors” above.
The information contained in this section “Secured Overnight Financing Rate”
is based upon the New York Federal Reserve’s Website and other U.S. government sources.
United States Federal Taxation
Tax Considerations for the Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Due
2024
In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 should be treated as “variable rate debt instruments” for U.S. federal tax purposes. The fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 will be treated as providing for a single fixed rate followed by a single qualified floating rate (“QFR”), as described in the sections of the accompanying prospectus supplement called “United States Federal Taxation―Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders―Floating Rate Notes―General” and “―Floating Rate Notes that Provide
for Multiple Rates.” Under applicable Treasury Regulations, in order to determine the amount of qualified stated interest (“QSI”) and original issue discount (“OID”) in respect of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024, an equivalent fixed rate debt instrument must be constructed for the entire term of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024. The equivalent fixed rate debt instrument is constructed in the following manner: (i) first, the initial fixed rate is converted to a QFR that would
preserve the fair market value of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024, and (ii) second, each QFR (including the QFR determined under
(i) above) is converted to a fixed rate substitute (which will generally be the value of that QFR as of the issue date of the fixed/floating
rate notes due 2024). Under Treasury Regulations
applicable to certain options arising under the terms of a debt instrument, in determining the amount of QSI and OID, we will be
deemed to exercise our optional redemption right if doing so would reduce the yield on the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument. For the purpose of determining QSI and OID, the optional make-whole redemption should not be deemed to be exercised.
However, if, as of the issue date, redeeming the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 on April , 2023 would reduce the yield of the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument, the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 will be treated as fixed
rate debt instruments maturing on April , 2023 (the “instrument maturing April 2023”). Under those circumstances, if the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 are not actually redeemed by us on April , 2023, solely for purposes of the OID rules, they will be deemed retired and reissued for their principal amount, and will
thereafter be treated as floating rate debt instruments with a term of one year (the “1-year instrument”). The instrument maturing April 2023 would be treated as issued without OID, and all payments of interest thereon would be treated as QSI.
Interest on the 1-year instrument should generally be taken into account when received or accrued, according to your method of tax accounting, but it is possible
that the 1-year instrument could be subject to the rules described under “United States Federal Taxation―Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders―Short-Term Notes” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
If, as of the issue date, redeeming the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 on April , 2023 would not reduce the yield on the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument, the rules under “United States Federal Taxation―Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders― Discount Notes―General” must be applied to the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument to determine the amounts of QSI and OID on the fixed/floating rate
notes due 2024. Under those circumstances, the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024 may be issued with OID.
A U.S. holder is required to include any QSI in income in accordance with the U.S. holder’s regular method of
accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. holders will be required to include any OID in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as it accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method based on a compounding of interest. QSI
allocable to an accrual period must be increased (or decreased) by the amount, if any, which the interest actually accrued or paid during an accrual period (including the fixed rate payments made during the initial period) exceeds (or is less than)
the interest assumed to be accrued or paid during the accrual period under the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument.
Tax Considerations for the Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Due
2027
In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 should be treated as “variable rate debt instruments” for U.S. federal tax purposes. The fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 will be treated as providing for a single fixed rate followed by a single qualified floating rate (“QFR”), as described in the sections of the accompanying
prospectus supplement called “United States Federal Taxation―Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders―Floating Rate Notes―General” and “―Floating Rate Notes that Provide for
Multiple Rates.” Under applicable Treasury Regulations, in order to determine the amount of qualified stated interest (“QSI”) and original issue discount (“OID”) in respect of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027, an equivalent fixed rate debt instrument must be constructed for the entire term of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027. The equivalent fixed rate debt instrument is constructed in the following manner: (i) first, the initial fixed rate is converted to a QFR that would
preserve the fair market value of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027, and (ii) second, each QFR (including the QFR determined under
(i) above) is converted to a fixed rate substitute (which will generally be the value of that QFR as of the issue date of the fixed/floating
rate notes due 2027). Under Treasury Regulations applicable to certain options arising under the terms of a debt instrument, in determining the amount of QSI and OID, we will be deemed to exercise our optional redemption right if doing so
would reduce the yield on the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument. For the purpose of determining QSI and OID, the optional make-whole redemption should not be deemed to be exercised. However, if, as of the issue date, redeeming the
fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 on May , 2026 would reduce the yield of the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument, the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 will be treated as fixed rate debt instruments maturing on May ,
2026 (the “instrument maturing May 2026”). Under those circumstances, if the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 are not actually
redeemed by us on May , 2026, solely for purposes of the OID rules, they will be deemed retired and reissued for their principal amount, and will thereafter be treated as floating rate debt instruments with a term of one year (the
“1-year instrument”). The instrument maturing May 2026 would be treated as issued without OID, and all payments of interest thereon would be treated as QSI. Interest on the 1-year instrument should generally be taken into account when received or
accrued, according to your method of tax accounting, but it is possible that the 1-year instrument could be subject to the rules described under “United States Federal
Taxation―Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders―Short-Term Notes” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
If, as of the issue date, redeeming the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 on May , 2026 would not reduce the yield on the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument,
the rules under “United States Federal Taxation―Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders― Discount Notes―General” must be applied to the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument to determine the amounts of QSI and OID on the fixed/floating rate
notes due 2027. Under those circumstances, the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 may be issued with OID.
A U.S. holder is required to include any QSI in income in accordance with the U.S. holder’s regular method of
accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. holders will be required to include any OID in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as it accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method based on a compounding of interest. QSI
allocable to an accrual period must be increased (or decreased) by the amount, if any, which the interest actually accrued or paid during an accrual period (including the fixed rate payments made during the initial period) exceeds (or is less than)
the interest assumed to be accrued or paid during the accrual period under the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument.
Tax Considerations for the Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Due
2042
In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 should be treated as “variable rate debt instruments” for U.S. federal tax purposes. The fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 will be treated as providing for a single fixed rate followed by a single
qualified floating rate (“QFR”), as described in the sections of the accompanying prospectus supplement called “United States Federal Taxation―Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders―Floating Rate Notes―General” and “―Floating Rate Notes that Provide
for Multiple Rates.” Under applicable Treasury Regulations, in order to determine the amount of qualified stated interest (“QSI”) and original issue discount (“OID”) in respect of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042, an equivalent fixed rate debt instrument must be constructed for the entire term of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042. The equivalent fixed rate debt instrument is constructed in the following manner: (i) first, the initial fixed rate is converted to a QFR that would
preserve the fair market value of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042, and (ii) second, each QFR (including the QFR determined under
(i) above) is converted to a fixed rate substitute (which will generally be the value of that QFR as of the issue date of the fixed/floating
rate notes due 2042). Under Treasury Regulations applicable to certain options arising under the terms of a debt instrument, in determining the amount of QSI and OID, we will be deemed to exercise our optional redemption right if doing so
would reduce the yield on the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument. For the purpose of determining QSI and OID, the optional make-whole redemption should not be deemed to be exercised. However, if, as of the issue date, redeeming the
fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 on April , 2041 would reduce the yield of the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument, the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 will be treated as fixed rate debt instruments maturing on April
, 2041 (the “instrument maturing April 2041”). Under those circumstances, if the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 are not
actually redeemed by us on April , 2041, solely for purposes of the OID rules, they will be deemed retired and reissued for their principal amount, and will thereafter be treated as floating rate debt instruments with a term of one year
(the “1-year instrument”). The instrument maturing April 2041 would be treated as issued without OID, and all payments of interest thereon would be treated as QSI. Interest on the 1-year instrument should generally be taken into account when
received or accrued, according to your method of tax accounting, but it is possible that the 1-year instrument could be subject to the rules described under “United States
Federal Taxation―Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders―Short-Term Notes” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
If, as of the issue date, redeeming the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 on April , 2041 would not reduce the yield on the equivalent fixed rate debt
instrument, the rules under “United States Federal Taxation―Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders― Discount Notes―General” must be applied to the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument to determine the amounts of QSI and OID on the
fixed/floating rate notes due 2042. Under those circumstances, the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 may be issued with OID.
A U.S. holder is required to include any QSI in income in accordance with the U.S. holder’s regular method of
accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. holders will be required to include any OID in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as it accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method based on a compounding of interest. QSI
allocable to an accrual period must be increased (or decreased) by the amount, if any, which the interest actually accrued or paid during an accrual period (including the fixed rate payments made during the initial period) exceeds (or is less than)
the interest assumed to be accrued or paid during the accrual period under the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders of the notes should read the section of the accompanying prospectus
supplement entitled “United States Federal Taxation.”
You should consult your tax adviser regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal tax consequences of
an investment in the notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
The discussion in the preceding paragraphs under “United States Federal Taxation,” and the
discussion contained in the section entitled “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus supplement, 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 notes.
Supplemental
Information Concerning Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest
On April , 2021, we agreed to sell to the managers
listed below, and they severally agreed to purchase, the principal amounts of notes set forth opposite their respective names below at a net price of %, plus accrued interest, if any, for the fixed/floating rate notes due 2024, at a net price of %, plus accrued interest, if any, for
the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 and at a net price of %, plus accrued interest, if any, for the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042, each of which we refer to as the “purchase price” for the respective notes. The purchase price for the fixed/floating rate notes
due 2024 equals the stated issue price of %, plus accrued interest, if any, less a combined management and underwriting commission of % of the principal amount of the
fixed/floating rate notes due 2024, the purchase price for the fixed/floating rate notes due 2027 equals the stated issue price of
%, plus accrued interest, if any, less a combined management and underwriting commission of % of the principal amount of the fixed/floating rate notes due
2027, and the purchase price for the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042 equals the stated issue price of %, plus accrued interest, if any, less a combined management and underwriting commission of % of the principal amount of the fixed/floating rate notes due 2042.
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Principal Amount of
Fixed/Floating Rate
Notes Due 2024
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Principal Amount of
Fixed/Floating Rate
Notes Due 2027
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Principal Amount of
Fixed/Floating Rate
Notes Due 2042
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Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
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Total
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Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is our wholly-owned subsidiary. This offering will be conducted in compliance with the
requirements of 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. In accordance
with Rule 5121 of FINRA, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC may not make sales in this offering to any discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer.
Notwithstanding the selling and other restrictions set forth in “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in
the accompanying prospectus supplement, the following applies with respect to securities offered or sold in Canada:
With respect to sales of the notes in Canada, the notes may be sold only to purchasers that are: (i) not individuals;
(ii) purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal; (iii) “accredited investors”, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”) or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), as applicable; and (iv)
“permitted clients”, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. The distribution of the notes in Canada is being made on a private placement basis only and is therefore exempt
from the requirement that Morgan Stanley prepares and files a prospectus with the relevant Canadian regulatory authorities.
Although Morgan Stanley is a “reporting issuer”, as such term is defined under applicable Canadian securities
legislation, in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador, the certificate(s), if any, representing the notes will not carry the legend prescribed by Section 2.5(2) of National Instrument 45-102
Resale of Securities nor will a written notice containing such legend restriction notation be delivered to any purchaser. Accordingly, the notes will not be or become freely tradeable in Canada, and any resale of the notes must be made in
accordance with an exemption from, or pursuant to a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable Canadian securities laws. Canadian purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the notes.
Prospective investors in Canada are advised that your name and other specified information, including the number of
notes you have purchased, may be disclosed to Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may become available to the public in accordance with the requirements of applicable Canadian law. By purchasing any notes hereunder, you are deemed to
have consented to the disclosure of that information.
Securities legislation in certain provinces of Canada provides purchasers of securities with a remedy for damages or
rescission, or both, in addition to any other rights they may have at law, where this pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus (collectively, the “offering memorandum”) or any amendment to it
contains a “misrepresentation” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. These remedies, or notice with respect to these remedies, must be exercised or delivered, as the case may be, by the purchaser within the time limits prescribed
by applicable securities legislation.
Ontario
Securities legislation in Ontario provides an Ontario purchaser (other than (a) a “Canadian financial institution” or
a “Schedule III bank” (each as defined in NI 45-106), (b) the Business Development Bank of Canada or (c) a subsidiary of any person referred to in (a) or (b) above, if the person owns all the voting securities of the subsidiary, except the voting
securities required by law to be owned by the directors of that subsidiary) with a statutory right of action for damages or rescission against an issuer and any selling security holder where the offering memorandum contains a misrepresentation
without regard to whether the purchaser relied on the misrepresentation. The right of action for damages is exercisable not later than the earlier of 180 days from the date the purchaser first had knowledge of the facts giving rise to the cause of
action and three years from the date of the transaction that gave rise to the cause of action. The right of action for rescission is exercisable not later than 180 days from the date of the transaction that gave rise to the cause of action. If a
purchaser elects to exercise the right of action for rescission, the purchaser will have no right of action for damages against the issuer or any selling security holder. In no case will the amount recoverable in any action exceed the price at
which the notes were offered to the purchaser and if the purchaser is shown to have purchased the notes with knowledge of the misrepresentation, the issuer and any selling security holder will have no liability. In the case of an action for
damages, the issuer and any selling security holder will not be liable for all or any portion of the damages that are proven to not represent the depreciation in value of the notes as a result of the misrepresentation relied upon.
Saskatchewan
The Securities Act, 1988 (Saskatchewan) (the “Saskatchewan Act”) provides that where an offering memorandum, together
with any amendment to the offering memorandum, sent or delivered to a purchaser contains a misrepresentation, a purchaser who purchases a security covered by the offering memorandum or an amendment to the offering memorandum is deemed to have
relied on that misrepresentation, if it was a misrepresentation at the time of purchase, and has a right of action for damages against (a) the issuer or a selling security holder on whose behalf the distribution is made, (b) every promoter and
director of the issuer or the selling security holder, as the case may be, at the time the offering memorandum or any amendment thereof was sent or delivered, (c) every person or company whose consent has been filed respecting the offering, but
only with respect to reports, opinions or statements that have been made by them, (d) every person or company that, in addition to those mentioned in (a) to (c) above, signed the offering memorandum or the amendment thereof and (e) every person or
company that sells notes on behalf of the issuer or selling security holder under the offering memorandum or amendment thereof. In addition, such a purchaser that purchases the security from the issuer or a selling securityholder may elect to
exercise a right of rescission against such person where an offering memorandum contains a misrepresentation and, when the purchaser so elects, the purchaser shall have no right of action for damages against such person.
The Saskatchewan Act provides further that (a) where an individual makes a verbal statement to a prospective
purchaser that contains a misrepresentation relating to the security purchased and the verbal statement is made either before or contemporaneously with the purchase of the security, the purchaser is deemed to have relied on the misrepresentation,
if it was a misrepresentation at the time of purchase, and has a right of action for damages against the individual who made the verbal statement, (b) a purchaser of a security from a vendor who is trading in Saskatchewan in contravention of the
Saskatchewan Act, the regulations thereunder or a decision of the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan, whether that vendor is trading on his own behalf or by another person or agent on his behalf, may elect to void the contract
and, if the purchaser so elects, the purchaser is entitled to recover all money and other consideration paid by him to the vendor pursuant to the trade and (c) if the distribution of notes has not been completed and (i) there is a material change
in the affairs of the issuer, (ii) it is proposed that the terms or conditions of the offering described in the offering memorandum be altered or (iii) notes are to be distributed in addition to the notes previously described in the offering
memorandum, and an amendment to the offering memorandum is not sent or delivered in accordance with the Saskatchewan Act, the purchaser has a right of action for rescission or damages against the manager or offeror that failed to comply with the
applicable requirement.
Subject to the Saskatchewan Act, these statutory rights are exercisable, in the case of an action for rescission, 180
days after the date of the transaction that gave rise to the cause of action or, in the case of any action, other than an action for rescission, the earlier of (a) one year after the plaintiff first had knowledge of the facts giving rise to the
cause of action and (b) six years after the date of the transaction that gave rise to the cause of the action.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick securities legislation provides investors who purchase notes offered for sale in reliance on the
exemption in Section 2.3 of NI 45-106 with a statutory right of action for damages against the issuer, a selling security holder on whose behalf the distribution is made, every person who was a director of the issuer at the date of the offering
memorandum and every person who signed the offering memorandum, or a right of action for rescission against the issuer and the selling security holder on whose behalf the distribution is made, in the event that any information relating to the
offering provided to the purchaser contains a misrepresentation. Where an offering memorandum is delivered to a prospective purchaser of notes in connection with a trade made in reliance on the exemption in Section 2.3 of NI 45-106, and the
document contains a misrepresentation, a purchaser who purchases the notes is deemed to have relied on the misrepresentation and has, subject to certain limitations and
defences, the above-noted statutory rights of action. If the purchaser elects to exercise the right of rescission, the
purchaser will have no right of action for damages. The right of action will be exercisable by the purchaser only if the purchaser gives notice to the defendant, in the case of any action for rescission, not more than 180 days after the date of the
transaction that gave rise to the cause of action, that the purchaser is exercising this right and, in the case of any action for damages, before the earlier of (a) one year after the plaintiff first had knowledge of the facts giving rise to the
cause of action and (b) six years after the date of the transaction that gave rise to the cause of action.
The liability of all persons and companies referred to above is joint and several. A defendant is not liable for a
misrepresentation if it proves that the purchaser purchased the notes with knowledge of the misrepresentation. In an action for damages, the defendant shall not be liable for all or any portion of the damages that the defendant proves do not
represent the depreciation in value of the notes as a result of the misrepresentation relied upon. In no case shall the amount recoverable for the misrepresentation exceed the price at which the notes were offered.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia securities legislation provides that if an offering memorandum or any advertising or sales literature (as
defined in the Securities Act (Nova Scotia)) contains a misrepresentation, a purchaser of notes is deemed to have relied upon such misrepresentation if it was a misrepresentation at the time of purchase and has, subject to certain limitations and
defences, a statutory right of action for damages against the seller of such notes, the directors of the seller at the date of the offering memorandum and the persons who have signed the offering memorandum or, alternatively, while still the owner
of the notes, may elect instead to exercise a statutory right of rescission against the seller, in which case the purchaser shall have no right of action for damages against the seller, the directors of the seller or the persons who have signed the
offering memorandum. The rights described above are subject to certain limitations, including: (a) no action may be commenced to enforce the right of action for rescission or damages by a purchaser resident in Nova Scotia later than 120 days after
the date payment was made for the notes (or after the date on which initial payment was made for the notes where payments subsequent to the initial payment are made pursuant to a contractual commitment assumed prior to, or concurrently with, the
initial payment); (b) no person will be liable if it proves that the purchaser purchased the notes with knowledge of the misrepresentation; (c) in the case of an action for damages, no person will be liable for all or any portion of the damages
that it proves do not represent the depreciation in value of the notes resulting from the misrepresentation; and (d) in no case will the amount recoverable in any action exceed the price at which the notes were offered to the purchaser.
The liability of all persons or companies referred to above is joint and several with respect to the same cause of
action.
The foregoing summary is subject to the express provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario), the Securities Act (New
Brunswick), the Saskatchewan Act and the Securities Act (Nova Scotia) and the rules and regulations thereunder and reference is made thereto for the complete text of such provisions.
Notwithstanding the selling and other restrictions set forth in “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the
accompanying prospectus supplement, the following applies with respect to securities offered or sold in the EEA:
Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors
The notes may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA. For the purposes of
this provision:
(a) the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
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(i)
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a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
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(ii)
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a customer within the meaning of the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined
in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
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(iii)
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not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; and
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(b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the
offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the notes.
Notwithstanding the selling and other restrictions set forth in “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the
accompanying prospectus supplement, the following applies with respect to securities offered or sold in the United Kingdom:
Prohibition of Sales to United Kingdom Retail Investors
The notes may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom. For the
purposes of this provision:
(a) the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
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(i)
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a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or
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(ii)
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a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance
Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or
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(iii)
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not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; and
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(b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the
offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the notes.
The communication of this pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and
any other document or materials relating to the issue of the notes offered hereby is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the FSMA. Accordingly, such
documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in
the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion)
Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”)), or who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, or who are any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (all
such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). In the United Kingdom, the notes offered hereby are only available to, and any investment or investment activity to which this pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus relates will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this this pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any of their contents.
With respect to securities to be offered or sold in the United Kingdom, the managers have represented and agreed, and
each underwriter, dealer, other agent and remarketing firm participating in the distribution of the securities will be required to represent and agree, that (1) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or
cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of
the FSMA does not apply to Morgan Stanley, and (2) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to any securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.