09/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/05/2025 13:38
September 2025
Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. 10,343
Registration Statement Nos. 333-275587; 333-275587-01
Dated September 5, 2025
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Structured Investments
Opportunities in U.S. Equities
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley
■Linked to the common stock of Salesforce, Inc. (the "underlying stock") ■The securities offered are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley Finance LLC ("MSFL") and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley. ■Unlike ordinary debt securities, the securities do not pay interest or repay a fixed amount of principal at maturity. Instead, the securities provide for a maturity payment amount that may be greater than or less than the face amount of the securities, depending on the performance of the underlying stock from the starting price to the ending price. The maturity payment amount will reflect the following terms: ■If the price of the underlying stock increases (regardless of the extent of that increase), stays the same or decreases but the decrease is to a price that is greater than or equal to the threshold price, you will receive the face amount plus the contingent fixed return of at least 21.40% of the face amount (to be determined on the pricing date) ■If the price of the underlying stock decreases to a price less than the threshold price, you will have full downside exposure to the decrease in the price of the underlying stock from the starting price, and you will lose more than 15%, and possibly all, of the face amount ■The threshold price is equal to 85% of the starting price ■Investors may lose up to 100% of the face amount ■The securities are for investors who are willing to risk their investment and forgo current income in exchange for the contingent fixed return feature that applies only if the ending price is greater than or equal to the threshold price ■Any positive return on the securities at maturity will be limited to the contingent fixed return, even if the ending price significantly exceeds the starting price; you will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying stock beyond the contingent fixed return ■The securities are notes issued as part of MSFL's Series A Global Medium-Term Notes program ■All payments are subject to our credit risk. If we default on our obligations, you could lose some or all of your investment ■These securities are not secured obligations and you will not have any security interest in, or otherwise have any access to, the underlying stock |
The current estimated value of the securities is approximately $958.90 per security, or within $35.00 of that estimate. The estimated value of the securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the underlying stock, instruments based on the underlying stock, volatility and other factors including current and expected interest rates, as well as an interest rate related to our secondary market credit spread, which is the implied interest rate at which our conventional fixed rate debt trades in the secondary market. See "Estimated Value of the Securities" on page 3.
The securities have complex features and investing in the securities involves risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 10. All payments on the securities are subject to our credit risk.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this document or the accompanying product supplement and prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality, nor are they obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank.
You should read this document together with the related product supplement for principal at risk securities and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below. When you read the accompanying product supplement, please note that all references in such supplement to the prospectus dated November 16, 2023, or to any sections therein, should refer instead to the accompanying prospectus dated April
12, 2024 or to the corresponding sections of such prospectus, as applicable. Please also see "Additional Information About the Securities" at the end of this document.
As used in this document, "we," "us" and "our" refer to Morgan Stanley or MSFL, or Morgan Stanley and MSFL collectively, as the context requires.
Commissions and offering price: |
Price to public |
Agent's commissions(1)(2) |
Proceeds to us(3) |
Per security |
$1,000 |
$23.25 |
$976.75 |
Total |
$ |
$ |
$ |
(1) Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, an agent for this offering, will receive a commission of up to $23.25 for each security it sells. Dealers, including Wells Fargo Advisors ("WFA"), may receive a selling concession of up to $17.50 per security, and WFA may receive a distribution expense fee of $0.75 for each security sold by WFA. See "Supplemental information concerning plan of distribution; conflicts of interest."
(2) In respect of certain securities sold in this offering, we may pay a fee of up to $2.00 per security to selected securities dealers in consideration for marketing and other services in connection with the distribution of the securities to other securities dealers.
(3) See "Use of Proceeds and Hedging" in the accompanying product supplement.
Product Supplement for Principal at Risk Securities dated November 16, 2023 Prospectus dated April 12, 2024
Morgan Stanley Wells Fargo Securities
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Terms |
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Issuer: |
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC |
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Guarantor: |
Morgan Stanley |
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Maturity date: |
March 19, 2027†, subject to postponement if the calculation day is postponed* |
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Underlying stock: |
The common stock of Salesforce, Inc. (the "underlying company") (NYSE symbol: CRM) |
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Maturity payment amount: |
At maturity, the maturity payment amount per $1,000 face amount of securities will be determined as follows: ●If the ending price is greater than or equal to the threshold price: $1,000 + contingent fixed return; ●If the ending price is less than the threshold price: $1,000 + ($1,000 × underlying return) If the ending price is less than the threshold price, you will lose more than 15%, and possibly all, of the face amount of your securities at maturity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities, the amount you will receive at maturity will be the maturity payment amount, defined and calculated as provided in this document. |
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Contingent fixed return: |
At least 21.40% of the face amount (at least $214 per security), to be determined on the pricing date |
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Underlying return: |
The percentage change from the starting price to the ending price, measured as follows: ending price - starting price starting price |
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Stock closing price: |
With respect to the underlying stock, stock closing price, closing price and adjustment factor have the meanings set forth under "General Terms of the Securities-Certain Terms for Securities Linked to an Underlying Stock-Certain Definitions" in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities. |
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Starting price: |
$ , which is the stock closing price on the pricing date. |
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Ending price: |
The stock closing price on the calculation day. |
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Calculation day: |
March 16, 2027**†, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events |
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Threshold price: |
$ , which is equal to 85% of the starting price. |
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Face amount: |
$1,000 per security. References in this document to a "security" are to a security with a face amount of $1,000. |
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Pricing date: |
September 16, 2025† |
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Original issue date: |
September 19, 2025† (3 business days after the pricing date) |
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CUSIP / ISIN: |
61779DQF2 / US61779DQF23 |
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Listing: |
The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. |
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Agents: |
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC ("MS & Co."), an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC ("WFS"). See "Additional Information About the Securities-Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest." |
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†To the extent we make any change to the pricing date or original issue date, the calculation day and maturity date may also be changed in our discretion to ensure that the term of the securities remains the same. |
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* Subject to postponement pursuant to "General Terms of the Securities-Payment Dates" in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities. |
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** Subject to postponement pursuant to "General Terms of the Securities-Consequences of a Market Disruption Event; Postponement of a Calculation Day" in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities. |
September 2025 Page 2
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Estimated Value of the Securities |
The face amount of each security is $1,000. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date will be less than $1,000 per security. We estimate that the value of each security on the pricing date will be approximately $958.90, or within $35.00 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the securities as determined on the pricing date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement. What goes into the estimated value on the pricing date? In valuing the securities on the pricing date, we take into account that the securities comprise both a debt component and a performance-based component linked to the underlying stock. The estimated value of the securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the underlying stock, instruments based on the underlying stock, volatility and other factors including current and expected interest rates, as well as an interest rate related to our secondary market credit spread, which is the implied interest rate at which our conventional fixed rate debt trades in the secondary market. What determines the economic terms of the securities? In determining the economic terms of the securities, including the contingent fixed return and the threshold price, we use an internal funding rate which is likely to be lower than our secondary market credit spreads and therefore advantageous to us. If the issuing, selling, structuring and hedging costs borne by you were lower or if the internal funding rate were higher, one or more of the economic terms of the securities would be more favorable to you. What is the relationship between the estimated value on the pricing date and the secondary market price of the securities? The price at which MS & Co. purchases the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying stock, may vary from, and be lower than, the estimated value on the pricing date, because the secondary market price takes into account our secondary market credit spread as well as the bid-offer spread that MS & Co. would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type and other factors. However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 3 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying stock, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value. We expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements. MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the securities and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time. |
September 2025 Page 3
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Investor Considerations |
The Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027 (the "securities") may be appropriate for investors who: ■Seek a contingent fixed return if the ending price is greater than or equal to the threshold price ■Understand that if the ending price is less than the threshold price, they will be fully exposed to the decline in the underlying stock from the starting price and will receive significantly less than the face amount, and possibly nothing, at maturity ■Understand that any positive return they will receive at maturity will be limited to the contingent fixed return, regardless of the extent to which the ending price exceeds the starting price ■Understand and are willing to accept the full downside risks of the underlying stock ■Are willing to forgo interest payments on the securities and dividends on the underlying stock ■Are willing to hold the securities to maturity The securities are not designed for, and may not be an appropriate investment for, investors who: ■Seek a return that is not limited by a contingent fixed payment ■Seek a liquid investment or are unable or unwilling to hold the securities to maturity ■Are unwilling to accept the risk that the ending price may decrease by more than 15% from the starting price, resulting in a loss of a significant portion or all of the initial investment ■Seek full return of the face amount of the securities at maturity ■Seek current income from their investments ■Seek exposure to the underlying stock but are unwilling to accept the risk/return trade-offs inherent in the maturity payment amount for the securities ■Are unwilling to accept our credit risk ■Prefer the lower risk of fixed income investments with comparable maturities issued by companies with comparable credit ratings |
The considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the securities are an appropriate investment for you will depend on your individual circumstances, and you should reach an investment decision only after you and your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors have carefully considered the appropriateness of an investment in the securities in light of your particular circumstances. You should also review carefully the "Risk Factors" herein and in the accompanying product supplement for risks related to an investment in the securities. For more information about the underlying stock, please see the section titled "Salesforce, Inc. Overview" below. |
September 2025 Page 4
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Determining Maturity Payment Amount |
At maturity, the maturity payment amount per $1,000 face amount of securities will be determined as follows:
September 2025 Page 5
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
How the Securities Work |
Payoff Diagram
The payoff diagram below illustrates the maturity payment amount on the securities based on a range of hypothetical underlying returns and the following terms:
Face amount: |
$1,000 per security |
Hypothetical contingent fixed return: |
21.40% of the face amount. The actual contingent fixed return will be determined on the pricing date. |
Threshold price: |
85% of the starting price |
Securities Payoff Diagram |
September 2025 Page 6
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Scenario Analysis and Examples of Maturity Payment Amount at Maturity |
The following scenario analysis and examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are hypothetical. They do not purport to be representative of every possible scenario concerning increases or decreases in the price of the underlying stock relative to the starting price. We cannot predict the ending price on the calculation day. You should not take the scenario analysis and these examples as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of the underlying stock. The numbers appearing in the examples below may have been rounded for ease of analysis. The following scenario analysis and examples illustrate the maturity payment amount on a hypothetical offering of the securities, based on the following terms*:
Investment term: |
Approximately 1.5 years |
Hypothetical starting price: |
$100.00 |
Hypothetical threshold price: |
$85.00, which is 85% of the hypothetical starting price |
Hypothetical contingent fixed return: |
21.40% of the face amount. The actual contingent fixed return will be determined on the pricing date. |
* The hypothetical starting price of $100.00 has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual starting price. The actual starting price, threshold price and contingent fixed return will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth under "Terms" above. For historical data regarding the actual closing prices of the underlying stock, see the historical information set forth herein.
Example 1 -The underlying stock appreciates substantially over the term of the securities, and investors therefore receive the face amount plus the contingent fixed return. Investors do not participate in the appreciation of the underlying stock.
Ending price |
$180.00 |
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Underlying return |
($180.00 - $100.00) / $100.00 = 80% |
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Maturity payment amount |
= |
$1,000 + contingent fixed return |
|
= |
$1,000 + $214 |
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= |
$1,214 |
In example 1, the ending price has increased from the starting price by 80%. Therefore, investors receive at maturity the face amount plus the contingent fixed return of $214 per face amount. Investors receive $1,214 per security at maturity (assuming a hypothetical contingent fixed return of $214 per face amount) and do not participate in the appreciation of the underlying stock. Although the underlying stock has appreciated substantially, the return on the securities is limited to the contingent fixed return of $214 per face amount (assuming a hypothetical contingent fixed return of $214 per face amount). The actual contingent fixed return will be determined on the pricing date.
Example 2 - The underlying stock depreciates over the term of the securities but does not decline below the threshold price, and investors receive the face amount plus the contingent fixed return.
Ending price |
$90.00 |
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Underlying return |
($90.00 - $100.00) / $100.00 = -10% |
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Maturity payment amount |
= |
$1,000 + contingent fixed return |
|
= |
$1,000 + $214 |
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= |
$1,214 |
In example 2, the ending price is less than the starting price, but is greater than or equal to the threshold price. Therefore, investors receive at maturity the face amount plus the contingent fixed return of $214 per face amount. Investors receive $1,214 per security at maturity (assuming a hypothetical contingent fixed return of $214 per face amount). The actual contingent fixed return will be determined on the pricing date.
Example 3 - The ending price is less than the threshold price. Investors are therefore exposed to the decline in the underlying stock from the starting price.
Ending price |
$30.00 |
September 2025 Page 7
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Underlying return |
($30.00 - $100.00) / $100.00 = -70% |
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Maturity payment amount |
= |
$1,000 + [$1,000 × underlying return] |
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= |
$1,000 + [$1,000 ×-70%] |
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= |
$300 |
In example 3, the ending price has declined below the threshold price. Because the ending price has declined below the threshold price, investors are fully exposed to the negative performance of the underlying stock. Investors receive a maturity payment amount of $300.
If the ending price is below the threshold price on the calculation day, the securities will be exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to the full decline in the price of the underlying stock. Under these circumstances, you will lose more than 15%, and possibly all, of the face amount of your securities at maturity.
September 2025 Page 8
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Scenario Analysis - Hypothetical Maturity Payment Amount for each $1,000 Face Amount of Securities.
Performance of the Underlying Stock |
Performance of the Securities(1) |
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Ending Price |
Underlying Return |
Maturity Payment Amount |
Return on Securities(2) |
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$200 |
100.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$190 |
90.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$180 |
80.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$170 |
70.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$160 |
60.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$150 |
50.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$140 |
40.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$130 |
30.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$120 |
20.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$110 |
10.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$105 |
5.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$100(3) |
0.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$95 |
-5.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$90 |
-10.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$85 |
-15.00% |
$1,214.00 |
21.40% |
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$84 |
-16.00% |
$840.00 |
-16.00% |
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$80 |
-20.00% |
$800.00 |
-20.00% |
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$70 |
-30.00% |
$700.00 |
-30.00% |
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$60 |
-40.00% |
$600.00 |
-40.00% |
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$50 |
-50.00% |
$500.00 |
-50.00% |
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$40 |
-60.00% |
$400.00 |
-60.00% |
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$30 |
-70.00% |
$300.00 |
-70.00% |
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$20 |
-80.00% |
$200.00 |
-80.00% |
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$10 |
-90.00% |
$100.00 |
-90.00% |
|
$0 |
-100.00% |
$0.00 |
-100.00% |
(1) Assumes a contingent fixed return of 21.40% of the face amount. The actual contingent fixed return will be determined on the pricing date.
(2) The "Return on Securities" is the number, expressed as a percentage, which results from comparing the maturity payment amount per $1,000 face amount of securities to the purchase price of $1,000 per security.
(3) The hypothetical starting price of the underlying stock.
September 2025 Page 9
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Risk Factors |
This section describes the material risks relating to the securities. For further discussion of these and other risks, you should read the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the accompanying product supplement and prospectus. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers in connection with your investment in the securities.
Risks Relating to an Investment in the Securities
■The securities do not pay interest, and you will lose more than 15%, and possibly all, of the face amount of your securities at maturity if the ending price is less than the threshold price. The terms of the securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that the securities do not pay interest or repay a fixed amount of the face amount of the securities. If the ending price is less than the threshold price, which is 85% of the starting price, you will lose more than 15%, and possibly all, of the face amount of your securities at maturity. Investors may lose their entire investment in the securities.
■Your potential return on the securities is fixed and limited. Your potential return on the securities at maturity is limited to the contingent fixed return. Your return on the securities will not exceed the contingent fixed return, even if the underlying stock appreciates by significantly more than the return represented by the contingent fixed return. If the underlying stock appreciates by more than the return represented by the contingent fixed return, the securities will underperform an alternative investment providing 1-to-1 exposure to the performance of the underlying stock.
■The market price will be influenced by many unpredictable factors. Several factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence the value of the securities in the secondary market and the price at which MS & Co. or any other dealer may be willing to purchase or sell the securities in the secondary market, including the price, volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in price) and dividend yield of the underlying stock, interest and yield rates in the market, time remaining to maturity, geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the underlying stock or equities markets generally and which may affect the ending price of the underlying stock and any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads. Generally, the longer the time remaining to maturity, the more the market price of the securities will be affected by the other factors described above. The price of the underlying stock may be, and has recently been, volatile, and we can give you no assurance that the volatility will lessen. See "Salesforce, Inc. Overview" below. You may receive less, and possibly significantly less, than the face amount per security if you try to sell your securities prior to maturity.
■The securities are subject to our credit risk, and any actual or anticipated changes to our credit ratings or credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the securities. You are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the securities at maturity, and therefore you are subject to our credit risk. If we default on our obligations under the securities, your investment would be at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment. As a result, the market value of the securities prior to maturity will be affected by changes in the market's view of our creditworthiness. Any actual or anticipated decline in our credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect the market value of the securities.
■As a finance subsidiary, MSFL has no independent operations and will have no independent assets. As a finance subsidiary, MSFL has no independent operations beyond the issuance and administration of its securities and will have no independent assets available for distributions to holders of MSFL securities if they make claims in respect of such securities in a bankruptcy, resolution or similar proceeding. Accordingly, any recoveries by such holders will be limited to those available under the related guarantee by Morgan Stanley and that guarantee will rank pari passu with all other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of Morgan Stanley. Holders will have recourse only to a single claim against Morgan Stanley and its assets under the guarantee. Holders of securities issued by MSFL should accordingly assume that in any such proceedings they would not have any priority over and should be treated pari passu with the claims of other unsecured, unsubordinated creditors of Morgan Stanley, including holders of Morgan Stanley-issued securities.
■The amount payable on the securities is not linked to the value of the underlying stock at any time other than the calculation day. The ending price will be based on the closing price of the underlying stock on the calculation day, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events. Even if the price of the underlying stock increases prior to the calculation day but then decreases by the calculation day, the maturity payment amount may be less, and
September 2025 Page 10
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
may be significantly less, than it would have been had the maturity payment amount been linked to the price of the underlying stock prior to such decrease. Although the actual price of the underlying stock on the maturity date or at other times during the term of the securities may be higher than the ending price, the maturity payment amount will be based solely on the closing price of the underlying stock on the calculation day.
■Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlying stock. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlying stock. Investors in the securities will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the underlying stock. As a result, any return on the securities will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the underlying stock and received the dividends paid or distributions made on them.
■The rate we are willing to pay for securities of this type, maturity and issuance size is likely to be lower than the rate implied by our secondary market credit spreads and advantageous to us. Both the lower rate and the inclusion of costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities in the face amount reduce the economic terms of the securities, cause the estimated value of the securities to be less than the face amount and will adversely affect secondary market prices. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the prices, if any, at which dealers, including MS & Co., may be willing to purchase the securities in secondary market transactions will likely be significantly lower than the face amount, because secondary market prices will exclude the issuing, selling, structuring and hedging-related costs that are included in the face amount and borne by you and because the secondary market prices will reflect our secondary market credit spreads and the bid-offer spread that any dealer would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type as well as other factors.
The inclusion of the costs of issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities in the face amount and the lower rate we are willing to pay as issuer make the economic terms of the securities less favorable to you than they otherwise would be.
However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 3 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying stock, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value, and we expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.
■The estimated value of the securities is determined by reference to our pricing and valuation models, which may differ from those of other dealers and is not a maximum or minimum secondary market price. These pricing and valuation models are proprietary and rely in part on subjective views of certain market inputs and certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, because there is no market-standard way to value these types of securities, our models may yield a higher estimated value of the securities than those generated by others, including other dealers in the market, if they attempted to value the securities. In addition, the estimated value on the pricing date does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which dealers, including MS & Co., would be willing to purchase your securities in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your securities at any time after the date of this document will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including our creditworthiness and changes in market conditions. See also "The market price will be influenced by many unpredictable factors" above.
■The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and secondary trading may be limited. The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the securities. MS & Co. and WFS may, but are not obligated to, make a market in the securities and, if either of them once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time. When they do make a market, they will generally do so for transactions of routine secondary market size at prices based on their respective estimates of the current value of the securities, taking into account their respective bid/offer spreads, our credit spreads, market volatility, the notional size of the proposed sale, the cost of unwinding any related hedging positions, the time remaining to maturity and the likelihood that they will be able to resell the securities. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the securities easily. Since other broker-dealers may not participate significantly in the secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to trade your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which MS & Co. or WFS is willing to transact. If, at any time, MS & Co. and WFS were to cease making a market in the securities, it is likely that there would be no secondary market for the securities. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your securities to maturity.
■The calculation agent, which is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of MSFL, will make determinations with respect to the securities. As calculation agent, MS & Co. will determine the starting price, the
September 2025 Page 11
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
threshold price and the ending price, and will calculate the amount of cash you receive at maturity, if any. Moreover, certain determinations made by MS & Co., in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, such as with respect to the occurrence or non-occurrence of market disruption events and certain adjustments to the adjustment factor. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity, if any. For further information regarding these types of determinations, see "General Terms of the Securities-Certain Terms for Securities Linked to an Underlying Stock-Market Disruption Events," "-Adjustment Events," "-Consequences of a Market Disruption Event; Postponement of a Calculation Day," "-Alternate Exchange Calculation in Case of an Event of Default" and related definitions in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities. In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date.
■Hedging and trading activity by our affiliates could potentially adversely affect the value of the securities. One or more of our affiliates and/or third-party dealers expect to carry out hedging activities related to the securities (and possibly to other instruments linked to the underlying stock), including trading in the underlying stock. As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the calculation day approaches. Some of our affiliates also trade the underlying stock and other financial instruments related to the underlying stock on a regular basis as part of their general broker-dealer and other businesses. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the pricing date could potentially affect the starting price, and, therefore, could increase the price at or above which the underlying stock must close on the calculation day so that investors do not suffer a significant loss on their initial investment in the securities. Additionally, such hedging or trading activities during the term of the securities, including on the calculation day, could adversely affect the price of the underlying stock on the calculation day, and, accordingly, the amount of cash an investor will receive at maturity, if any.
■The maturity date may be postponed if the calculation day is postponed. If the scheduled calculation day is not a trading day or if a market disruption event occurs on that day so that the calculation day is postponed and falls less than two business days prior to the maturity date, the maturity date of the securities will be postponed to the second business day following that calculation day as postponed.
■Potentially inconsistent research, opinions or recommendations by Morgan Stanley, MSFL, WFS or our or their respective affiliates. Morgan Stanley, MSFL, WFS and our or their respective affiliates may publish research from time to time on financial markets and other matters that may influence the value of the securities, or express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the securities. Any research, opinions or recommendations expressed by Morgan Stanley, MSFL, WFS or our or their respective affiliates may not be consistent with each other and may be modified from time to time without notice. Investors should make their own independent investigation of the merits of investing in the securities and the underlying stock to which the securities are linked.
■The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities are uncertain. Please read the discussion under "Additional Information About the Securities-Tax considerations" in this document and the discussion under "United States Federal Taxation" in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities, (together, the "Tax Disclosure Sections") concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities. If the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") were successful in asserting an alternative treatment, the timing and character of income on the securities might differ significantly from the tax treatment described in the Tax Disclosure Sections. For example, under one possible treatment, the IRS could seek to recharacterize the securities as debt instruments. In that event, U.S. Holders would be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the securities every year at a "comparable yield" determined at the time of issuance and recognize all income and gain in respect of the securities as ordinary income. The risk that financial instruments providing for buffers, triggers or similar downside protection features, such as the securities, would be recharacterized as debt is greater than the risk of recharacterization for comparable financial instruments that do not have such features. We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS regarding the tax treatment of the securities, and the IRS or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in the Tax Disclosure Sections.
In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of "prepaid forward contracts" and similar instruments. The notice focuses in particular on whether to require holders of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange-traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to which income (including
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
any mandated accruals) realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the "constructive ownership" rule, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose an interest charge. While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, the issues presented by this notice and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
Risks Relating to the Underlying Stock
■No affiliation with Salesforce, Inc. Salesforce, Inc. is not an affiliate of ours, is not involved with this offering in any way, and has no obligation to consider your interests in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of the securities. We have not made any due diligence inquiry with respect to Salesforce, Inc. in connection with this offering.
■We may engage in business with or involving Salesforce, Inc. without regard to your interests. We or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with Salesforce, Inc. without regard to your interests and thus may acquire non-public information about Salesforce, Inc. Neither we nor any of our affiliates undertakes to disclose any such information to you. In addition, we or our affiliates from time to time have published and in the future may publish research reports with respect to Salesforce, Inc., which may or may not recommend that investors buy or hold the underlying stock.
■The antidilution adjustments the calculation agent is required to make do not cover every corporate event that could affect the underlying stock. MS & Co., as calculation agent, will adjust the adjustment factor for certain corporate events affecting the underlying stock, such as stock splits, stock dividends and extraordinary dividends, and certain other corporate actions involving the issuer of the underlying stock, such as mergers. However, the calculation agent will not make an adjustment for every corporate event that can affect the underlying stock. For example, the calculation agent is not required to make any adjustments if the issuer of the underlying stock or anyone else makes a partial tender or partial exchange offer for the underlying stock, nor will adjustments be made following the calculation day. In addition, no adjustments will be made for regular cash dividends, which are expected to reduce the price of the underlying stock by the amount of such dividends. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to adjust the adjustment factor, such as a regular cash dividend, the market price of the securities and your return on the securities may be materially and adversely affected. For example, if the record date for a regular cash dividend were to occur on or shortly before the calculation day, this may decrease the ending price of the underlying stock to be less than the threshold price (resulting in a loss of a significant portion or all of your investment in the securities), materially and adversely affecting your return.
■Historical closing prices of the underlying stock should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the underlying stock during the term of the securities. No assurance can be given as to the price of the underlying stock at any time, including on the calculation day, because historical prices of the underlying stock do not provide an indication of future performance of the underlying stock.
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Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Salesforce, Inc. Overview |
Salesforce, Inc. is a provider of enterprise cloud computing solutions. The CRM Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Information provided to or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Salesforce, Inc. pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the Securities and Exchange Commission file number 001-32224 through the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding Salesforce, Inc. may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. Neither the issuer nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the issuer of the CRM Stock is accurate or complete.
The following graph sets forth the daily closing prices of the underlying stock for the period from January 1, 2020 through September 4, 2025. The closing price of the underlying stock on September 4, 2025 was $244.01. We obtained the information in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets without independent verification. The underlying stock has at times experienced periods of high volatility. You should not take the historical prices of the underlying stock as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the closing price of the underlying stock on the calculation day.
Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. - Daily Closing Prices January 1, 2020 to September 4, 2025 |
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the underlying stock or other securities of Salesforce, Inc. We have derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding the underlying stock from the publicly available documents described above. In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to Salesforce, Inc. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding Salesforce, Inc. is accurate or complete. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of the underlying stock (and therefore the price of the underlying stock at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning Salesforce, Inc. could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
Neither the issuer nor any of its affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the underlying stock.
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
Additional Information About the Securities |
Minimum ticketing size
$1,000 / 1 security
Tax considerations
Although there is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities due to the lack of governing authority, in the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, under current law, and based on current market conditions, it is reasonable to treat a security as a single financial contract that is an "open transaction" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, because our counsel's opinion is based in part on market conditions as of the date of this document, it is subject to confirmation on the pricing date.
Assuming this treatment of the securities is respected and subject to the discussion in "United States Federal Taxation" in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result based on current law:
■A U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize taxable income over the term of the securities prior to settlement, other than pursuant to a sale or exchange.
■Upon sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, a U.S. Holder should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the securities. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if the investor has held the securities for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise.
We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") regarding the treatment of the securities. An alternative characterization of the securities could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the securities, including the timing and character of income recognized. In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have requested comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of "prepaid forward contracts" and similar financial instruments and have indicated that such transactions may be the subject of future regulations or other guidance. Furthermore, members of Congress have proposed legislative changes to the tax treatment of derivative contracts. Any legislation, Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect.
As discussed in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities, Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder ("Section 871(m)") generally impose a 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities (each, an "Underlying Security"). Subject to certain exceptions, Section 871(m) generally applies to securities that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more Underlying Securities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations (a "Specified Security"). However, pursuant to an IRS notice, Section 871(m) will not apply to securities issued before January 1, 2027 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 final 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 withholding is required, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the securities.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. investors considering an investment in the securities should read the discussion under "Risk Factors" in this document and the discussion under "United States Federal Taxation" in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities and consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
The discussion in the preceding paragraphs under "Tax considerations" and the discussion contained in the section entitled "United States Federal Taxation" in the accompanying product supplement for
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Market Linked Securities-Contingent Fixed Return and Contingent Downside
Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Common Stock of Salesforce, Inc. due March 19, 2027
principal at risk securities, insofar as they purport to describe provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities.
Additional considerations
Client accounts over which Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or any of their respective subsidiaries have investment discretion are not permitted to purchase the securities, either directly or indirectly.
Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest
MS & Co. and WFS will act as the agents for this offering. WFS will receive a commission of up to $23.25 for each security it sells. WFS proposes to offer the securities in part directly to the public at the price to public set forth on the cover page of this document and in part to Wells Fargo Advisors ("WFA") (the trade name of the retail brokerage business of WFS's affiliates, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC), an affiliate of WFS, or other securities dealers at such price less a selling concession of up to $17.50 per security. In addition to the selling concession allowed to WFA, WFS may pay $0.75 per security of the commission to WFA as a distribution expense fee for each security sold by WFA.
In addition, in respect of certain securities sold in this offering, we may pay a fee of up to $2.00 per security to selected securities dealers in consideration for marketing and other services in connection with the distribution of the securities to other securities dealers.
See "Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest" in the accompanying product supplement for information about the distribution arrangements for the securities. References therein to "agent" refer to each of MS & Co. and WFS, as agents for this offering, except that references to "agent" in the context of offers to certain Morgan Stanley dealers and compliance with FINRA Rule 5121 do not apply to WFS. MS & Co., WFS or their affiliates may enter into hedging transactions with us in connection with this offering.
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 contingent fixed return, such that for each security the estimated value on the pricing date will be no lower than the minimum price described in "Estimated Value of the Securities" beginning 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.
Where you can find more information
Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the product supplement for principal at risk 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 principal at risk securities 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. When you read the accompanying product supplement, please note that all references in such supplement to the prospectus dated November 16, 2023, or to any sections therein, should refer instead to the accompanying prospectus dated April 12, 2024 or to the corresponding sections of such prospectus, as applicable. 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 product supplement for principal at risk securities and prospectus 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 Principal at Risk Securities dated November 16, 2023
Prospectus dated April 12, 2024
Terms used but not defined in this document are defined in the product supplement for principal at risk securities or in the prospectus.
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