Unless the securities are previously redeemed, the contingent monthly coupon payable on the securities will be determined as follows:

At a rate of 5.35% per annum times N/ACT

where: 

·     “N” = the total number of index business days in the applicable coupon payment period on which the index closing value is greater than or equal to the barrier level (each such day, an “accrual day”); and 

·     “ACT” = the total number of index business days in the applicable coupon payment period. 

If, on any index business day, the index closing value is below the barrier level, no coupon will accrue for that day. It is possible that you will receive no contingent coupon on the securities for extended periods of time if the index closing value were to remain below the barrier level. 

If the securities have not previously been redeemed, investors will receive on the maturity date a payment at maturity determined as follows:

If the final index value is greater than or equal to the barrier level, investors will receive the stated principal amount and any accrued and unpaid contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final coupon payment period

If the final index value is less than the barrier level, investors will receive (i) $1,000 x (index performance factor + buffer amount) plus (ii) any accrued and unpaid contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final coupon payment period

Accordingly, investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing up to 85% of their entire initial investment. 

Unless the securities are previously redeemed, the contingent monthly coupon payable on the securities will be determined as follows:

At a rate of 5.35% per annum times N/ACT

where:

·     “N” = the total number of index business days in the applicable coupon payment period on which the index closing value is greater than or equal to the barrier level (each such day, an “accrual day”); and

·     “ACT” = the total number of index business days in the applicable coupon payment period.

If, on any index business day, the index closing value is below the barrier level, no coupon will accrue for that day. It is possible that you will receive no contingent coupon on the securities for extended periods of time if the index closing value were to remain below the barrier level. 

contingent monthly coupon otherwise due with respect to the related coupon payment period. Any early redemption of the securities will be at our discretion and will not automatically occur based on the performance of the underlying index. It is more likely that we will redeem the securities when it would otherwise be advantageous for you to continue to hold the securities. As such, we will be more likely to redeem the securities when the index closing value of the underlying index is at or above the barrier level, which would otherwise result in an amount of interest payable on the securities that is greater than instruments of a comparable maturity and credit rating trading in the market. In other words, we will be more likely to redeem the securities at a time when the securities are paying an above-market coupon. If the securities are redeemed prior to maturity, you will receive no more contingent monthly coupon payments, may be forced to invest in a lower interest rate environment and may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns.

On the other hand, we will be less likely to exercise our redemption right when the index closing value of the underlying index is below the barrier level and/or when the final index value is expected to be below the barrier level, such that you will receive reduced contingent monthly coupon payments, or no contingent monthly coupons at all, and/or that you will suffer a significant loss on your initial investment in the securities at maturity. Therefore, if we do not exercise our redemption right, it is more likely that you will receive reduced contingent monthly coupon payments, or no contingent monthly coupon payments at all, and suffer a loss at maturity. 

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

the stated principal amount and any accrued and unpaid contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final coupon payment period

If the final index value is less than the barrier level: 

(i) $1,000 x (index performance factor + buffer amount) plus (ii) any accrued and unpaid contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final coupon payment period 

Underlying Index Daily Closing Values

January 1, 2008 to March 1, 2019

* The black solid line in the graph indicates the hypothetical barrier level, assuming the index closing value on March 1, 2019 were the initial index value.

The calculation agent for the securities will be MS & Co. All determinations made by the calculation agent will be at the sole discretion of the calculation agent and will, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding on you, the trustee and us.

All calculations with respect to the contingent monthly coupon, the redemption payment and the payment at maturity shall be made by the calculation agent and shall be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward (e.g., .876545 would be rounded to .87655); all dollar amounts related to determination of the amount of cash payable per stated principal amount shall be rounded to the nearest ten-thousandth, with five one hundred-thousandths rounded upward (e.g., .76545 would be rounded up to .7655); and all dollar amounts paid on the aggregate principal amount of the securities shall be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent rounded upward.

Because the calculation agent is our affiliate, the economic interests of the calculation agent and its affiliates may be adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities, including with respect to certain determinations and judgments that the calculation agent must make in determining the payment that you will receive, if any, on each contingent coupon payment date and at maturity or whether a market disruption event has occurred. See “Market disruption event” and “Discontinuance of the underlying index; alteration of method of calculation” below. MS & Co. is obligated to carry out its duties and functions as calculation agent in good faith and using its reasonable judgment. 

With respect to the underlying index, market disruption event means:

(i)       the occurrence or existence of any of:

(a) a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading of securities then constituting 20 percent or more of the value of the underlying index (or the successor index) on the relevant exchange(s) for such securities for more than two hours of trading or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of the principal trading session on such relevant exchange(s), or

(b) a breakdown or failure in the price and trade reporting systems of any relevant exchange as a result of which the reported trading prices for securities then constituting 20 percent or more of the value of the underlying index (or the successor index) during the last one-half hour preceding the close of the principal trading session on such relevant exchange(s) are materially inaccurate, or 

(c) the suspension, material limitation or absence of trading on any major U.S. securities market for trading in futures or options contracts or exchange-traded funds related to the underlying index (or the successor index) for more than two hours of trading or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of the principal trading session on such market,

in each case as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion; and

(ii)   a determination by the calculation agent in its sole discretion that any event described in clause (i) above materially interfered with our ability or the ability of any of our affiliates to unwind or adjust all or a material portion of the hedge position with respect to the securities.

For the purpose of determining whether a market disruption event exists at any time, if trading in a security included in the underlying index is materially suspended or materially limited at that time, then the relevant percentage contribution of that security to the value of the underlying index shall be based on a comparison of (x) the portion of the value of the underlying index attributable to that security relative to (y) the overall value of the underlying index, in each case immediately before that suspension or limitation.

For the purpose of determining whether a market disruption event exists at any time: (1) a limitation on the hours or number of days of trading will not constitute a market disruption event if it results from an announced change in the regular business hours of the relevant exchange or market, (2) a decision to permanently discontinue trading in the relevant futures or options contract or exchange-traded fund will not constitute a market disruption event, (3) a suspension of trading in futures or options contracts or exchange-traded funds on the underlying index by the primary securities market trading in such contracts or funds by reason of (a) a price change exceeding limits set by such securities exchange or market, (b) an imbalance of orders relating to such contracts or funds or (c) a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to such contracts or funds will constitute a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in futures or options contracts or exchange-traded funds related to the underlying index and (4) a “suspension, absence or material limitation of trading” on any relevant exchange or on the primary market on which futures or options contracts or exchange-traded funds related to the underlying index are traded will not include any time when such securities market is itself closed for trading under ordinary circumstances. 

Postponement of the final observation date:

Discontinuance of the underlying index; alteration of method of calculation:

Upon any selection by the calculation agent of the successor index, the calculation agent will cause written notice thereof to be furnished to the trustee, to us and to the depositary, as holder of the securities, within three business days of such selection. We expect that such notice will be made available to you, as a beneficial owner of the securities, in accordance with the standard rules and procedures of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants.

If the underlying index publisher discontinues publication of the underlying index or the successor index prior to, and such discontinuance is continuing on, any relevant date of calculation and the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, that no successor index is available at such time, then the calculation agent will determine the index closing value for such date. The index closing value of the underlying index or the successor index will be computed by the calculation agent in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating such index last in effect prior to such discontinuance, using the closing price (or, if trading in the relevant securities has been materially suspended or materially limited, its good faith estimate of the closing price that would have prevailed but for such suspension or limitation) at the close of the principal trading session of the relevant exchange on such date of each security most recently constituting such index without any rebalancing or substitution of such securities following such discontinuance. Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, discontinuance of the publication of the underlying index may adversely affect the value of the securities.

If at any time, the method of calculating the underlying index or the successor index, or the value thereof, is changed in a material respect, or if the underlying index or the successor index is in any other way modified so that such index does not, in the opinion of the calculation agent, fairly represent the value of such index had such changes or modifications not been made, then, from and after such time, the calculation agent will, at the close of business in New York City on each date on which the index closing value is to be determined, make such calculations and adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the calculation agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a value of a stock index comparable to the underlying index or the successor index, as the case may be, as if such changes or modifications had not been made, and the calculation agent will calculate the index closing value with reference to the underlying index or the successor index, as adjusted. Accordingly, if the method of calculating the underlying index or the successor index is modified so that the value of such index is a fraction of what it would have been if it had not been modified (e.g., due to a split in the underlying index), then the calculation agent will adjust such index in order to arrive at a value of the underlying index or the successor index as if it had not been modified (e.g., as if such split had not occurred). 

Alternate exchange calculation in case of an event of default:

If an event of default with respect to the securities shall have occurred and be continuing, the amount declared due and payable upon any acceleration of the securities (the “Acceleration Amount”) will be an amount, determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion, that is equal to the cost of having a qualified financial institution, of the kind and selected as described below, expressly assume all our payment and other obligations with respect to the securities as of that day and as if no default or acceleration had occurred, or to undertake other obligations providing substantially equivalent economic value to you with respect to the securities. That cost will equal:

·   the lowest amount that a qualified financial institution would charge to effect this assumption or undertaking, plus

·   the reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the holders of the securities in preparing any documentation necessary for this assumption or undertaking.

During the default quotation period for the securities, which we describe below, the holders of the securities and/or we may request a qualified financial institution to provide a quotation of the amount it would charge to effect this assumption or undertaking. If either party obtains a quotation, it must notify the other party in writing of the quotation. The amount referred to in the first bullet point above will equal the lowest—or, if there is only one, the only—quotation obtained, and as to which notice is so given, during the default quotation period. With respect to any quotation, however, the party not obtaining the quotation may object, on reasonable and significant grounds, to the assumption or undertaking by the qualified financial institution providing the quotation and notify the other party in writing of those grounds within two business days after the last day of the default quotation period, in which case that quotation will be disregarded in determining the Acceleration Amount.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, bankruptcy or insolvency of, or any analogous proceeding is filed with respect to Morgan Stanley, then depending on applicable bankruptcy law, your claim may be limited to an amount that could be less than the Acceleration Amount.

If the maturity of the securities is accelerated because of an event of default as described above, we shall, or shall cause the calculation agent to, provide written notice to the trustee at its New York office, on which notice the trustee may conclusively rely, and to the depositary of the Acceleration Amount and the

aggregate cash amount due, if any, with respect to the securities as promptly as possible and in no event later than two business days after the date of such acceleration.

Default quotation period

The default quotation period is the period beginning on the day the Acceleration Amount first becomes due and ending on the third business day after that day, unless:

·   no quotation of the kind referred to above is obtained, or

·   every quotation of that kind obtained is objected to within five business days after the due date as described above.

If either of these two events occurs, the default quotation period will continue until the third business day after the first business day on which prompt notice of a quotation is given as described above. If that quotation is objected to as described above within five business days after that first business day, however, the default quotation period will continue as described in the prior sentence and this sentence.

In any event, if the default quotation period and the subsequent two business day objection period have not ended before the final observation date, then the Acceleration Amount will equal the principal amount of the securities.

Qualified financial institutions

For the purpose of determining the Acceleration Amount at any time, a qualified financial institution must be a financial institution organized under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or Europe, which at that time has outstanding debt obligations with a stated maturity of one year or less from the date of issue and rated either:

·   A-2 or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or any successor, or any other comparable rating then used by that rating agency, or

·   P-2 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service or any successor, or any other comparable rating then used by that rating agency. 

In the event that the maturity date is postponed due to postponement of the final observation 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 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 observation date as postponed.

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

Prospective investors should note that the discussion under the section called “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus supplement does not apply to the securities issued under this 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 the ownership and disposition of the securities. This discussion applies only to investors in the securities who:

·     purchase the securities in the original offering; and 

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

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

·     certain financial institutions; 

·     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 absence of statutory, judicial or administrative authorities that directly address the treatment of the securities or instruments that are similar to the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no assurance can 

be given that the IRS or a court will agree with the tax treatment described herein. We intend to treat a security for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a single financial contract that provides for a coupon that will be treated as gross income to you at the time received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of tax accounting. In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, this treatment of the securities is reasonable under current law; however, our counsel has advised us that it is unable to conclude affirmatively that this treatment is more likely than not to be upheld, and that alternative treatments are possible. Moreover, our counsel’s opinion is based on market conditions as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement and is subject to confirmation on the pricing date.

You should consult your tax adviser regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities (including possible alternative treatments of the securities). Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the treatment of each security as described in the previous paragraph.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

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

·     a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

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

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

Tax Treatment of the Securities

Assuming the treatment of the securities as set forth above is respected, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result.

Tax Basis. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities should equal the amount paid by the U.S. Holder to acquire the securities.

Tax Treatment of Coupon Payments. Any coupon payment on the securities should be taxable as ordinary income to a U.S. Holder at the time received or accrued, in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Sale, Exchange or Settlement of the Securities. Upon a sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, a U.S. Holder should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or settlement and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities sold, exchanged or settled. For this purpose, the amount realized does not include any coupon paid at settlement and may not include sale proceeds attributable to an accrued coupon, which may be treated as a coupon payment. Any such gain or loss recognized should be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the securities for more than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or settlement, and should be short-term capital gain or loss otherwise. The ordinary income treatment of the coupon payments, in conjunction with the capital loss treatment of any loss recognized upon the sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, could result in adverse tax consequences to holders of the securities because the deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in the Securities

Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper tax treatment of the securities, no assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or that a court will uphold, the treatment described above. In particular, the IRS could seek to analyze the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning the securities under Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments (the “Contingent Debt Regulations”). If the IRS were successful in asserting that the Contingent Debt Regulations applied to the securities, the timing and character of income thereon would be significantly affected. Among other things, a U.S. Holder would be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the securities every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of their issuance, adjusted upward or downward to reflect the difference, if any, between the actual and the projected amount of any contingent payments on the securities. Furthermore, any gain realized by a U.S. Holder at maturity or upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s prior accruals of original issue discount and as capital loss thereafter. The risk that financial instruments providing for buffers, triggers or similar downside protection features, such as the securities, would be recharacterized as debt is greater than the risk of recharacterization for comparable financial instruments that do not have such features.

Other alternative federal income tax treatments of the securities are possible, which, if applied, could significantly 

affect the timing and character of the income or loss with respect to the securities. In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. The notice focuses on whether to require holders of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange–traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” rule, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose an interest charge; and appropriate transition rules and effective dates. While it is not clear whether instruments such as the securities would be viewed as similar to the prepaid forward contracts described in the notice, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments and the issues presented by this notice.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Backup withholding may apply in respect of 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 estate or trust.

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

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

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

·     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.

Although significant aspects of the tax treatment of each security are uncertain, we intend to withhold on any coupon paid to a Non-U.S. Holder generally at a rate of 30% or at a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty under an “other income” or similar provision. We will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. In order to claim an exemption from, or a reduction in, the 30% withholding tax, a Non-U.S. Holder of the securities must comply with certification requirements to establish that it is not a U.S. person and is eligible for such an exemption or reduction under an applicable tax treaty. If you are a Non-U.S. Holder, you should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax treatment of the securities, including the possibility of obtaining a refund of any withholding tax and the certification requirement described above.

Section 871(m) Withholding Tax on Dividend Equivalents

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

have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security. Based on the terms of the securities and current market conditions, we expect that the securities will not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security on the pricing date. However, we will provide an updated determination in the pricing supplement. Assuming 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. 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. 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 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. Under recently proposed regulations (the preamble to which specifies that taxpayers are permitted to rely on them pending finalization), no withholding will apply on payments of gross proceeds. While the treatment of the securities is unclear, you should assume that any coupon payment 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 gross proceeds of a disposition (including upon retirement) of the securities 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 4 above comprise the agent’s commissions and the cost of issuing, structuring and hedging the securities.

On or prior to the pricing date, we expect to 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 stocks constituting the underlying index, in futures and/or options contracts on the underlying index or the component stocks of the underlying index listed on major securities markets, or positions in any other available securities or instruments that they may wish to use in connection with such hedging. Such purchase activity could potentially increase the initial index value, and, therefore, could increase the barrier level, which, if the securities have not been redeemed, is the value at or above which the underlying index must close on each index business day so that a contingent monthly coupon accrues on the securities, and the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the 

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 such 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, which may include our affiliates, and their financial advisors will collectively receive from the agent a fixed sales commission of $ 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 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 4.

MS & Co. will conduct this offering in compliance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., which is commonly referred to as FINRA, regarding a FINRA member firm’s distribution of the securities of an affiliate and related conflicts of interest. MS & Co. or any of our other affiliates may not make sales in this offering to any discretionary account.

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, the agent may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. Specifically, the agent may sell more securities than it is obligated to purchase in connection with the offering, creating a naked short position in the securities, for its own account. The agent must close out any naked short position by purchasing the securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the agent is concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect 

General

No action has been or will be taken by us, the agent or any dealer that would permit a public offering of the securities or possession or distribution of this preliminary pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus supplement, index supplement or prospectus in any jurisdiction, other than the United States, where action for that purpose is required. No offers, sales or deliveries of the securities, or distribution of this preliminary pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus supplement, index supplement or prospectus or any other offering material relating to the securities, may be made in or from any jurisdiction except in circumstances which will result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations and will not impose any obligations on us, the agent or any dealer.

The agent has represented and agreed, and each dealer through which we may offer the securities has represented and agreed, that it (i) will comply with all applicable laws and regulations in force in each non-U.S. jurisdiction in which it purchases, offers, sells or delivers the securities or possesses or distributes this preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement, index supplement and prospectus and (ii) will obtain any consent, approval or permission required by it for the purchase, offer or sale by it of the securities under the laws and regulations in force in each non-U.S. jurisdiction to which it is subject or in which it makes purchases, offers or sales of the securities. We shall not have responsibility for the agent’s or any dealer’s compliance with the applicable laws and regulations or obtaining any required consent, approval or permission.

In addition to the selling restrictions set forth in “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying prospectus supplement, the following selling restrictions also apply to the securities:

Brazil

The securities have not been and will not be registered with the Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (The Brazilian Securities Commission). The securities may not be offered or sold in the Federative Republic of Brazil except in circumstances which do not constitute a public offering or distribution under Brazilian laws and regulations.

Chile

The securities have not been registered with the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros in Chile and may not be offered or sold publicly in Chile. No offer, sales or deliveries of the securities or distribution of this preliminary pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus supplement, index supplement or prospectus, may be made in or from Chile except in circumstances which will result in compliance with any applicable Chilean laws and regulations.

Mexico

The securities have not been registered with the National Registry of Securities maintained by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission and may not be offered or sold publicly in Mexico. This preliminary pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement, the accompanying index supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be publicly distributed in Mexico. 

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

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

Prospectus Supplement dated November 16, 2017 

Index Supplement dated November 16, 2017 

Prospectus dated November 16, 2017

Terms used but not defined in this preliminary pricing supplement are defined in the prospectus supplement, in the index supplement or in the prospectus.