The securities are not subject to automatic early redemption until June 11, 2019. Following this initial 6-month non-call period, if, on any determination date other than the final determination date, the determination closing price of each underlying stock is greater than or equal to its respective then-applicable redemption threshold level, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption payment on the related early redemption date; provided that if, due to a market disruption event or otherwise, such determination date is postponed, the early redemption payment shall be made on the fifth business day following such determination date as postponed. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed.

The securities will not be redeemed early if the determination closing price of any underlying stock is less than the respective then-applicable redemption threshold level for such underlying stock on the related determination date.

(i) the quarterly coupon for the final interest period plus (ii) the product of (a) the stated principal amount and (b) the share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock.

Under these circumstances, investors will lose a significant portion, and may lose all, of their principal.

With respect to the XOM Stock, $       , which is equal to 70% of its initial share price

With respect to the NOVN Stock, CHF       , which is equal to 70% of its initial share price

With respect to the UBSG Stock, CHF       , which is equal to 70% of its initial share price

With respect to the XOM Stock, $       , which is its closing price on the pricing date

With respect to the NOVN Stock, CHF       , which is its closing price on the pricing date

With respect to the UBSG Stock, CHF       , which is its closing price on the pricing date

On any determination date (beginning after six months) other than the final determination date, the determination closing price of each underlying stock is greater than or equal to its respective then-applicable redemption threshold level.

§ The securities will be automatically redeemed for (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the quarterly coupon for the related quarterly interest period. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed.

§ Investors will not participate in any appreciation of any underlying stock.

The securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity, and the final share price of each underlying stock is greater than or equal to its respective downside threshold level.

§ The payment due at maturity will be (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the quarterly coupon for the final quarterly interest period.

§ Investors will not participate in any appreciation of any underlying stock.

The securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity, and the final share price of any underlying stock is less than its respective downside threshold level.

§ The payment due at maturity will be (i) the quarterly coupon for the final interest period plus (ii) the product of (a) the stated principal amount and (b) the share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock.

§ Investors will lose a significant portion, and may lose all, of their principal in this scenario.

·     If the final share price of each underlying stock is greater than or equal to its respective downside threshold level: (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the quarterly coupon for the final quarterly interest period.

·     If the final share price of any underlying stock is less than its respective downside threshold level: (i) the quarterly coupon for the final interest period plus (ii) the product of (a) the stated principal amount and (b) the share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock. Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be significantly less than the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero

With respect to the XOM Stock: $75.00

With respect to the NOVN Stock: CHF 85.00

With respect to the UBSG Stock: CHF 15.00

With respect to the XOM Stock: $52.50, which is 70% of its hypothetical initial share price

With respect to the NOVN Stock: CHF 59.50, which is 70% of its hypothetical initial share price

With respect to the UBSG Stock: CHF 10.50, which is 70% of its hypothetical initial share price

Payment at Maturity

(in addition to the quarterly coupon of $23.75 with respect to the final quarterly interest period)

$1,000 x share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock=

$1,000 x ($37.50 / $75) = $500.00 

$1,000 x share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock=

$1,000 x (CHF 7.50 / CHF 15) = $500.00

$1,000 x share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock=

$1,000 x ($37.50 / $75) = $500.00

$1,000 x share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock=

Common Stock of Exxon Mobil Corporation – Daily Closing Prices

January 1, 2013 to December 6, 2018

Ordinary Shares of UBS Group AG – Daily Closing Prices

January 1, 2013 to December 6, 2018

With respect to the XOM Stock, Exxon Mobil Corporation

With respect to the NOVN Stock, Novartis AG

With respect to the UBSG Stock, UBS Group AG

The accompanying product supplement refers to each underlying stock issuer as the “underlying company.”

The following replaces in its entirety the portion of the section entitled “Antidilution Adjustments” in the accompanying product supplement for auto-callable securities from the start of paragraph 5 to the end of such section.

5. If, with respect to one or more underlying stocks, (i) there occurs any reclassification or change of such underlying stock, including, without limitation, as a result of the issuance of any tracking stock by the underlying stock issuer for such underlying stock, (ii) such underlying stock issuer or any surviving entity or subsequent surviving entity of such underlying stock issuer (the “successor corporation”) has been subject to a merger, combination or consolidation and is not the surviving entity, (iii) any statutory exchange of securities of such underlying stock issuer or any successor corporation with another corporation occurs (other than pursuant to clause (ii) above), (iv) such underlying stock issuer is liquidated, (v) such underlying stock issuer issues to all of its shareholders equity securities of an issuer other than such underlying stock issuer (other than in a transaction described in clause (ii), (iii) or (iv) above) (a “spin-off event”) or (vi) a tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction is consummated for all the outstanding shares of such underlying stock (any such event in clauses (i) through (vi), a “reorganization event”), the method of determining whether an early redemption has occurred and the amount payable upon an early redemption or at maturity for each security will be as follows:

·     Upon any determination date following the effective date of a reorganization event and prior to the final determination date: If the exchange property value (as defined below) is greater than or equal to the then-applicable redemption threshold level for the affected underlying stock, and the determination closing prices (or exchange property values, if applicable) of the other underlying stocks are also greater than or equal to their respective then-applicable redemption threshold levels, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption payment.

·     Upon the final determination date, if the securities have not previously been automatically redeemed: You will receive for each security that you hold a payment at maturity equal to:

Ø If the exchange property value on the final determination date is greater than or equal to the respective downside threshold level, and the final share prices of the other underlying stocks (or exchange property values, as applicable) are also greater than their respective downside threshold levels: (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the quarterly coupon for the final quarterly interest period.

Ø If the exchange property value on the final determination date is less than the respective downside threshold level, or if the final share price(s) (or exchange property value(s), if applicable) of any other underlying stock is less than its respective downside threshold level: the quarterly coupon for the final interest period plus:

Ø If the worst performing underlying stock has not undergone a reorganization event as

described in paragraph 5 above: (i) the stated principal amount multiplied by the (ii) share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock.

Ø If the worst performing underlying stock has undergone a reorganization event as described in paragraph 5 above: (i) the stated principal amount multiplied by (ii) the share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock. For purposes of determining the share performance factor of the worst performing underlying stock, the final share price of such worst performing underlying stock will be deemed to equal the per-share cash value, determined as of the final determination date, of the securities, cash or any other assets distributed to holders of the worst performing underlying stock in or as a result of any such reorganization event, including (A) in the case of the issuance of tracking stock, the reclassified share of such worst performing underlying stock, (B) in the case of a spin-off event, the share of such worst performing underlying stock with respect to which the spun-off security was issued, and (C) in the case of any other reorganization event where such worst performing underlying stock continues to be held by the holders receiving such distribution, such worst performing underlying stock (collectively, the “exchange property”).

If exchange property includes a cash component, investors will not receive any interest accrued on such cash component. In the event exchange property consists of securities, those securities will, in turn, be subject to the antidilution adjustments set forth in paragraphs 1 through 5.

For purposes of determining whether or not the exchange property value is less than the then-applicable redemption threshold level or less than the downside threshold level, or for determining the worst performing underlying stock, “exchange property value” means (x) for any cash received in any reorganization event, the value, as determined by the calculation agent, as of the date of receipt, of such cash received for one share of such underlying stock, as adjusted by the adjustment factor at the time of such reorganization event, (y) for any property other than cash or securities received in any such reorganization event, the market value, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion, as of the date of receipt, of such exchange property received for one share of such underlying stock, as adjusted by the adjustment factor at the time of such reorganization event and (z) for any security received in any such reorganization event, an amount equal to the determination closing price, as of the day on which the exchange property value is determined, per share of such security multiplied by the quantity of such security received for each share of such underlying stock, as adjusted by the adjustment factor at the time of such reorganization event.

For purposes of paragraph 5 above, in the case of a consummated tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction involving consideration of particular types, exchange property shall be deemed to include the amount of cash or other property delivered by the offeror in the tender or exchange offer (in an amount determined on the basis of the rate of exchange in such tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction). In the event of a tender or exchange offer or a going-private transaction with respect to exchange property in which an offeree may elect to receive cash or other property, exchange property shall be deemed to include the kind and amount of cash and other property received by offerees who elect to receive cash.

Following the occurrence of any reorganization event referred to in paragraph 5 above, all references in this offering document and in the related product supplement with respect to the securities to such “underlying stock” shall be deemed to refer to the exchange property and references to a “share” or “shares” of such underlying stock shall be deemed to refer to the applicable unit or units of such exchange property, unless the context otherwise requires.

No adjustment to an adjustment factor will be required unless such adjustment would require a change of at least 0.1% in the adjustment factor then in effect. The adjustment factor resulting from any of the adjustments specified above will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward. Adjustments to an adjustment factor will be made up to the close of business on the final determination date.

No adjustments to an adjustment factor or method of calculating the adjustment factor will be required other than those specified above. The adjustments specified above do not cover all events that could affect the determination closing price or the final share price of such underlying stock, including, without limitation, a partial tender or exchange offer for such underlying stock.

The calculation agent shall be solely responsible for the determination and calculation of any adjustments to an adjustment factor or method of calculating an adjustment factor and of any related determinations and calculations with respect to any distributions of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) in connection with any corporate event described in paragraphs 1 through 5 above, and its determinations and calculations with respect thereto shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

The calculation agent will provide information as to any adjustments to an adjustment factor or to the method of calculating the amount payable at maturity of the securities made pursuant to paragraph 5 above upon written request by any investor in the securities.

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 to be delivered as quarterly coupon with respect to each security on or prior to 10:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the business day preceding each coupon payment date, and (ii) deliver the aggregate cash amount due with respect to the quarterly coupon to the trustee for delivery to the depositary, as holder of the securities, on the applicable coupon payment date.

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 to be delivered with respect to each stated principal amount of the securities, on or prior to 10:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the business day preceding the maturity date, and (ii) deliver the aggregate cash amount due with respect to the securities to the trustee for delivery to the depositary, as holder of the securities, on the maturity date.

Prospective investors should note that the discussion under the section called “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement does not apply to the securities issued under this document and is superseded by the following discussion.

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences and certain estate tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the securities. This discussion applies only to initial investors in the securities who:

•     purchase the securities at their “issue price,” which will equal the first price at which a substantial amount of the securities is sold to the public (not including bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers); and

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

This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of the holder’s particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules, such as:

•     certain financial institutions;

•     insurance companies;

•     certain dealers and traders in securities or commodities;

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

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

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

•     regulated investment companies;

•     real estate investment trusts; or

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

If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership holding the securities or a partner in such a partnership, you should consult your tax adviser as to the particular U.S. federal tax consequences of holding and disposing of the securities to you.

As the law applicable to the U.S. federal income taxation of instruments such as the securities is technical and complex, the discussion below necessarily represents only a general summary. The effect of any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws is not discussed, nor are any alternative minimum tax consequences or consequences resulting from the Medicare tax on investment income. Moreover, the discussion below does not address the consequences to taxpayers subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code.

This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof, changes to any of which subsequent to the date hereof may affect the tax consequences described herein. Persons considering the purchase of the securities should consult their tax advisers with regard to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

General

Due to the lack of any controlling legal authority, there is substantial uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities. We intend to treat a security, under current law, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as a unit consisting of the following:

(i)    a put right (the “Put Right”) written by you to us that, if exercised, requires you to pay us an amount equal to the Deposit (as defined below) in exchange for a cash amount based on the

performance of the worst performing underlying stock; and

(ii)   a deposit with us of a fixed amount of cash, equal to the issue price, to secure your obligation under the Put Right (the “Deposit”) that pays interest based on our cost of borrowing at the time of issuance (the “Yield on the Deposit”).

Based on the treatment set forth above, a portion of the coupon on the securities will be treated as the Yield on the Deposit, and the remainder will be attributable to the premium on the Put Right (the “Put Premium”). The Yield on the Deposit will be determined by us as of the pricing date and set forth in the applicable pricing supplement.

We will allocate 100% of the issue price of the securities to the Deposit and none to the Put Right. Our allocation of the issue price between the Put Right and the Deposit will be binding on you, unless you timely and explicitly disclose to the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) that your allocation is different from ours. This allocation is not, however, binding on the IRS or a court.

No statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly addresses the treatment of the securities or instruments similar to the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no ruling is being requested from the IRS with respect to the securities. Significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities are uncertain, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court will agree with the tax treatment described herein. In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the treatment of the securities described above 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. Accordingly, you should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities (including alternative treatments of the securities). Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the treatment and the allocation described above.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a U.S. Holder. As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a security that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•     a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

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

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

Tax Treatment of the Securities

Assuming the treatment of the securities and allocation of the issue price as set forth above are respected, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result.

Coupon Payments on the Securities. Under the characterization described above under “—General,” only a portion of the coupon payments on the securities will be attributable to the Yield on the Deposit. The remainder of the coupon payments will represent payments attributable to the Put Premium. To the extent attributable to the Yield on the Deposit, coupon payments on the securities should generally be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time accrued or received, in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The Put Premium will not be taxable to a U.S. Holder upon receipt but will be accounted for as described below.

Tax Basis. Based on our determination set forth above, the U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in the Deposit will be 100% of the issue price. The determination of gain or loss with respect to the Put Right is described below.

Receipt of Stated Principal Amount in Cash upon Settlement of the Securities. If a U.S. Holder receives the stated principal amount of a security in cash (excluding cash attributable to coupon payments on the security, which would be taxed as described above under “—Coupon Payments on the Securities”), the Put Right will be deemed to have expired unexercised. In such case, the U.S. Holder will not recognize any gain upon the return of the Deposit, but will recognize the total amount of Put Premium received by the U.S. Holder over the term of the securities (including Put Premium received upon settlement) as short-term capital gain at such time.

Receipt of a Cash Amount Based on the Performance of the Underlying Stock upon Maturity of the Securities. If a U.S. Holder receives an amount of cash (excluding cash attributable to coupon payments on the securities, which would be taxed as described above under “—Coupon Payments on the Securities”) that is less than the stated principal amount of the securities, the Put Right will be deemed to have been exercised and the U.S. Holder will be deemed to have applied the Deposit toward the cash settlement of the Put Right. In such case, the U.S. Holder will not recognize any gain or loss in respect of the Deposit, but will recognize short-term capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash received by the U.S. Holder at maturity (excluding cash attributable to coupon payments on the securities), plus the total Put Premium received by the U.S. Holder over the term of the securities (including the Put Premium received at maturity) and (ii) the Deposit.

Sale or Exchange of the Securities Prior to Settlement. Upon the sale or exchange of a security, a U.S. Holder will generally recognize long-term capital gain or loss with respect to the Deposit if the U.S. Holder has held the securities for more than one year at the time of such sale or exchange and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise. The U.S. Holder will also generally recognize short-term capital gain or loss with respect to the Put Right. For the purpose of determining such gain or loss, a U.S. Holder should apportion the amount realized on the sale or exchange of a security (excluding any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid Yield on the Deposit, which would be taxed as described under “—Coupon Payments on the Securities”) between the Deposit and the Put Right based on their respective values on the date of such sale or exchange. The amount of capital gain or loss on the Deposit will equal the amount realized that is attributable to the Deposit, less the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Deposit. The amount realized that is attributable to the Put Right, together with the total Put Premium received by the U.S. Holder over the term of the security, will be treated as short-term capital gain.

If the value of the Deposit on the date of such sale or exchange exceeds the total amount realized on the sale or exchange of the security, the U.S. Holder will be treated as having (i) sold or exchanged the Deposit for an amount equal to its value on that date and (ii) made a payment (the “Put Right Assumption Payment”) to the purchaser of the security equal to the amount of such excess, in exchange for the purchaser’s assumption of the U.S. Holder’s rights and obligations under the Put Right. In such a case, the U.S. Holder will recognize short-term capital gain or loss in respect of the Put Right in an amount equal to the total Put Premium received by the U.S. Holder over the term of the security, less the amount of the Put Right Assumption Payment deemed to be made by the U.S. Holder.

Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in the Securities

Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper characterization of the securities, no assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or that a court will uphold, the treatment described above. In particular, the IRS could seek to treat a security or the Deposit as a debt instrument subject to Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments (the “Contingent Debt Regulations”).

If the IRS were successful in asserting that the Contingent Debt Regulations applied to the securities or to the Deposit, the timing and character of income thereon would be significantly affected. Among other things, a U.S. Holder would be required to accrue interest income as original issue discount, subject to adjustments, at a “comparable yield” based on our cost of borrowing. Furthermore, if the securities or Deposit were treated as contingent payment debt instruments, any gain realized with respect to the securities or the Deposit would generally be treated 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.

Even if the Contingent Debt Regulations do not apply to the securities, other alternative U.S. federal income tax characterizations or treatments of the securities are also possible, which if applied could significantly affect the timing and character of the income or loss with respect to the securities. It is possible, for example, that a security could be treated as constituting an “open transaction” with the result that the coupon payments on the securities might not be accounted for separately as giving rise to income to U.S. Holders until the sale, exchange or settlement of the securities. Alternatively, the entire coupon on the securities could be required to be included in income by a U.S. Holder at the time received or accrued. Other alternative characterizations are also possible. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. While it is not clear whether the securities would be viewed as similar to the prepaid forward contracts described in the notice, it is possible that 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. The notice focuses on a number of issues, the most relevant of which for U.S. Holders of the securities is the character and timing of income or loss realized with respect to these instruments (including whether the Put Premium might be required to be included currently as ordinary income).

Accordingly, prospective investors should consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including the possible implications of this notice.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Backup withholding may apply in respect of payments on the securities and the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities, unless a U.S. Holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. The amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not an additional tax and may be refunded, or credited against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. In addition, information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on the securities and the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities, unless the U.S. Holder provides proof of an applicable exemption from the information reporting rules.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a Non-U.S. Holder. As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a security that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•    an individual who is classified as a nonresident alien;

•    a foreign corporation; or

•    a foreign trust or estate.

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

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

•    certain former citizens or residents of the United States; or

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

Such holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

General

Assuming the treatment of the securities as set forth above is respected and subject to the discussions below regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) of the Code and FATCA, payments with respect to a security, and gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of such security, should not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax under current law, provided that:

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

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

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

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

Certification Requirement. The certification requirement referred to in the preceding paragraph will be fulfilled if the beneficial owner of a security (or a financial institution holding a security on behalf of the beneficial owner) furnishes to the applicable withholding agent an IRS Form W-8BEN (or other appropriate form), on which the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person.

Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in the Securities

As described above under “—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in the Securities,” the IRS may seek to apply a different characterization and tax treatment from the treatment described herein. While the U.S. federal income and withholding tax consequences to a Non-U.S. Holder of ownership and disposition of a security under current law should generally be the same as those described immediately above, it is possible that a Non-U.S. Holder could be subject to withholding

tax under certain recharacterizations of the securities.

Moreover, among the issues addressed in the IRS notice described in “—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders” is the degree, if any, to which income realized by Non-U.S. Holders should be subject to withholding tax. It is possible that any Treasury regulations or other guidance issued after consideration of this issue could materially and adversely affect the withholding tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. Accordingly, prospective investors should consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including the possible implications of the notice discussed above. Prospective investors should note that we currently do not intend to withhold on any of the payments made with respect to the securities to Non-U.S. Holders (subject to compliance by such holders with the certification requirement described above and to the discussion below regarding FATCA). However, in the event of a change of law or any formal or informal guidance by the IRS, the U.S. Treasury Department or Congress, we (or any financial intermediary) may decide to withhold on payments made with respect to the securities to Non-U.S. Holders and we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.

Section 871(m) Withholding Tax on Dividend Equivalents

Section 871(m) of the Code and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities (each, an “Underlying Security”). Subject to certain exceptions, Section 871(m) generally applies to securities that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more Underlying Securities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations (a “Specified Security”). However, pursuant to an IRS notice, Section 871(m) will not apply to securities issued before January 1, 2021 that do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security. Based on our determination that the securities do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security, our counsel is of the opinion that the securities should not be Specified Securities and, therefore, should not be subject to Section 871(m).

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

U.S. Federal Estate Tax

Individual Non-U.S. Holders and entities the property of which is potentially includible in such an individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty exemption, the securities may be treated as U.S. situs property subject to U.S. federal estate tax. Prospective investors that are non-U.S. individuals, or are entities of the type described above, should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of an investment in the securities

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with any coupon payment and may be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment at maturity on the securities and the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities. A Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding in respect of amounts paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, unless such Non-U.S. Holder complies with certification procedures to establish that it is not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise establishes an exemption. Compliance with the certification procedures described under “—General—Certification Requirement” will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding as well. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the Non-U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

FATCA

Legislation commonly referred to as “FATCA” generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on payments to certain non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries) with respect to certain financial instruments, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements have been satisfied. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the non-U.S. entity’s jurisdiction may modify these requirements. FATCA generally applies to certain financial instruments that are treated as paying U.S.-source interest or other U.S.-source “fixed or determinable annual or periodical” income (“FDAP income”).

Withholding (if applicable) applies to payments of U.S.-source FDAP income and, for dispositions after December 31, 2018, to payments of gross proceeds of the disposition (including upon retirement) of certain financial instruments treated as providing for U.S.-source interest or dividends. While the treatment of the securities is unclear, you should assume that, to the extent attributable to the Deposit, the gross proceeds of a disposition (including upon retirement) after 2018 and the yield on the Deposit with respect to the securities will be subject to the FATCA rules. It is also possible in light of this uncertainty that an applicable withholding agent will treat the entire amount of the gross proceeds of a disposition (including upon retirement) of the securities after 2018 and the coupon on the securities, in whole or in part, as being subject to the FATCA rules. If withholding applies to the securities, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the potential application of FATCA to the securities.

The discussion in the preceding paragraphs, insofar as it purports to describe provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitutes the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

The proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used by us for general corporate purposes. We will receive, in aggregate, $1,000 per security issued, because, when we enter into hedging transactions in order to meet our obligations under the securities, our hedging counterparty will reimburse the cost of the agent’s commissions. The costs of the securities borne by you and described on page 3 above comprise the agent’s commissions and 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 underlying stocks and in futures and/or options contracts on the underlying stocks. Such purchase activity could potentially increase the initial share price of an underlying stock, and, as a result, could increase (i) the applicable redemption threshold levels for such underlying stock, which are the levels at or above which such underlying stock must close on the determination date in order for the securities to be redeemed (depending also on the performance of the other underlying stocks), and (ii) the downside threshold level, for such underlying stock which, if the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, is the price at or above which the underlying stock must close on each determination date in order for you to avoid being exposed to the negative price performance of the worst performing underlying stock at maturity (depending also on the performance of the other underlying stocks). In addition, through our subsidiaries, we are likely to modify our hedge position throughout the term of the securities, including on the determination dates, by purchasing and selling the underlying stocks, options contracts relating to the underlying stocks or any other available securities or instruments that we may wish to use in connection with such hedging activities. 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. We cannot give any assurance that our hedging activities will not affect the value of any underlying stock, and, therefore, adversely affect the value of the securities or the payment you will receive at maturity, if any.

Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) (a “Plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the Plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the securities. Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the Plan.

In addition, we and certain of our affiliates, including MS & Co., may each be considered a “party in interest” within the meaning of ERISA, or a “disqualified person” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), with respect to many Plans, as well as many individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans (such accounts and plans, together with other plans, accounts and arrangements subject to Section 4975 of the Code, also “Plans”). ERISA Section 406 and Code Section 4975 generally prohibit transactions between Plans and parties in interest or disqualified persons. Prohibited transactions within the meaning of ERISA or the Code would likely arise, for example, if the securities are acquired by or with the assets of a Plan with respect to which MS & Co. or any of its affiliates is a service provider or other party in interest, unless the securities are acquired pursuant to an exemption from the “prohibited transaction” rules. A violation of these “prohibited transaction” rules could result in an excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for those persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory or administrative exemption.

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued five prohibited transaction class exemptions (“PTCEs”) that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the purchase or holding of the securities. Those class exemptions are PTCE 96-23 (for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), PTCE 95-60 (for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance company separate accounts) and PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers). In addition, ERISA Section 408(b)(17)

and Code Section 4975(d)(20) provide an exemption for the purchase and sale of securities and the related lending transactions, provided that neither the issuer of the securities nor any of its affiliates has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or renders any investment advice with respect to the assets of the Plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the Plan pays no more, and receives no less, than “adequate consideration” in connection with the transaction (the so-called “service provider” exemption). There can be no assurance that any of these class or statutory exemptions will be available with respect to transactions involving the securities.

Because we may be considered a party in interest with respect to many Plans, the securities may not be purchased, held or disposed of by any Plan, any entity whose underlying assets include “plan assets” by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity (a “Plan Asset Entity”) or any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such purchase, holding or disposition is eligible for exemptive relief, including relief available under PTCEs 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1, 84-14 or the service provider exemption or such purchase, holding or disposition is otherwise not prohibited. Any purchaser, including any fiduciary purchasing on behalf of a Plan, transferee or holder of the securities will be deemed to have represented, in its corporate and its fiduciary capacity, by its purchase and holding of the securities that either (a) it is not a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity and is not purchasing such securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan or with any assets of a governmental, non-U.S. or church plan that is subject to any federal, state, local or non-U.S. law that is substantially similar to the provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (“Similar Law”) or (b) its purchase, holding and disposition of these securities will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or violate any Similar Law.

Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan consult with their counsel regarding the availability of exemptive relief.

The securities are contractual financial instruments. The financial exposure provided by the securities is not a substitute or proxy for, and is not intended as a substitute or proxy for, individualized investment management or advice for the benefit of any purchaser or holder of the securities. The securities have not been designed and will not be administered in a manner intended to reflect the individualized needs and objectives of any purchaser or holder of the securities.

Each purchaser or holder of any securities acknowledges and agrees that:

(i)   the purchaser or holder or its fiduciary has made and shall make all investment decisions for the purchaser or holder and the purchaser or holder has not relied and shall not rely in any way upon us or our affiliates to act as a fiduciary or adviser of the purchaser or holder with respect to (A) the design and terms of the securities, (B) the purchaser or holder’s investment in the securities, or (C) the exercise of or failure to exercise any rights we have under or with respect to the securities;

(ii)  we and our affiliates have acted and will act solely for our own account in connection with (A) all transactions relating to the securities and (B) all hedging transactions in connection with our obligations under the securities;

(iii)  any and all assets and positions relating to hedging transactions by us or our affiliates are assets and positions of those entities and are not assets and positions held for the benefit of the purchaser or holder;

(iv)  our interests are adverse to the interests of the purchaser or holder; and

(v)   neither we nor any of our affiliates is a fiduciary or adviser of the purchaser or holder in connection with any such assets, positions or transactions, and any information that we or any of our affiliates may provide is not intended to be impartial investment advice.

Each purchaser and holder of the securities has exclusive responsibility for ensuring that its purchase, holding and disposition of the securities do not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code or any Similar Law. The sale of any securities to any Plan or plan subject to Similar Law is in no respect a representation by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by plans generally or any particular plan, or that such an investment is appropriate for plans generally or any particular plan. In this regard, neither this discussion nor anything provided in this document is or is intended to be investment advice directed at any potential Plan purchaser or at Plan purchasers generally and such purchasers of these securities should consult and rely on their own counsel and advisers as to whether an investment in these securities is suitable.

However, individual retirement accounts, individual retirement annuities and Keogh plans, as well as employee benefit plans that permit participants to direct the investment of their accounts, will not be permitted to purchase or hold the securities if the account, plan or annuity is for the benefit of an employee of Morgan Stanley or Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or a family member and the employee receives any compensation (such as, for example, an addition to bonus) based on the purchase of the securities by the account, plan or annuity.

Selected dealers and their financial advisors will collectively receive from the Agent, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, a fixed sales commission of $20 for each security they sell. 

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. When MS & Co. prices this offering of securities, it will determine the economic terms of the securities, including the quarterly coupon rate, such that for each security the estimated value on the pricing date will be no lower than the minimum level described in “Investment Summary” on page 3.

MS & Co. will conduct this offering in compliance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., which is commonly referred to as FINRA, regarding a FINRA member firm’s distribution of the securities of an affiliate and related conflicts of interest. MS & Co. or any of our other affiliates may not make sales in this offering to any discretionary account. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement for auto-callable securities.

MSFL and Morgan Stanley have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the product supplement for auto-callable securities) 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 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 and the product supplement for auto-callable securities 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, 2017

Prospectus dated November 16, 2017

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