Form 424B2 MORGAN STANLEY

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of Securities Offered		Maximum Aggregate Offering Price		Amount of Registration Fee
Trigger Performance Leveraged Upside Securities due 2021		$1,649,000		$191.12

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

January 2017 Pricing Supplement No. 1,244 Registration Statement Nos. 333-200365; 333-200365-12 Dated January 4, 2017 Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Structured Investments

Opportunities in International Equities

Trigger PLUS Based on a Basket Consisting of Two Exchange-Traded Funds due January 11, 2021

Trigger Performance Leveraged Upside Securities^SM

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley

Principal at Risk Securities

The Trigger PLUS are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley Finance LLC (“MSFL”) and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley. The Trigger PLUS will pay no interest, do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity and have the terms described in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS and prospectus, as supplemented or modified by this document. At maturity, if the basket has appreciated in value, investors will receive the stated principal amount of their investment plus leveraged upside performance of the basket. If the basket has remained unchanged or depreciated in value but the final basket value is greater than or equal to the trigger level, investors will receive the stated principal amount of their investment. However, if the basket has depreciated in value so that the final basket value is less than the trigger level, investors will lose a significant portion or all of their investment, resulting in a 1% loss for every 1% decline in the basket value over the term of the Trigger PLUS. Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than 70% of the principal amount and could be zero. Accordingly, you may lose your entire investment. The Trigger PLUS are for investors who seek an equity-based return and who are willing to risk their principal and forgo current income in exchange for the upside leverage feature and the limited protection against loss that applies only if the final basket value is greater than or equal to the trigger level. Investors may lose their entire initial investment in the Trigger PLUS. The Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS are not secured obligations and you will not have any security interest in, or otherwise have any access to, any underlying reference asset or assets.

FINAL TERMS
Issuer:	Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Guarantor:	Morgan Stanley
Maturity date:	January 11, 2021
Original issue price:	$1,000 per Trigger PLUS
Stated principal amount:	$1,000 per Trigger PLUS
Pricing date:	January 4, 2017
Original issue date:	January 9, 2017 (3 business days after the pricing date)
Aggregate principal amount:	$1,649,000
Interest:	None

Basket:	Basket component	Bloomberg ticker symbol	Basket component weighting	Initial basket component value	Multiplier
	Shares of the iShares® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF (the “EWZ Shares”)	EWZ UP	66.67%	$34.81	1.915254237
	Shares of the iShares® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF (the “EWW Shares”)	EWW UP	33.33%	$43.10	0.7733 17865
	We refer to the EWZ Shares and the EWW Shares collectively as the underlying shares or the basket components.

Payment at maturity (per Trigger PLUS):	If the final basket value is greater than the initial basket value: $1,000 + the leveraged upside payment If the final basket value is less than or equal to the initial basket value but is greater than or equal to the trigger level: $1,000 If the final basket value is less than the trigger level: $1,000 × the basket performance factor Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount of $10 and will represent a loss of more than 30%, and possibly all, of your investment.
Leveraged upside payment:	$1,000 × leverage factor × basket percent increase
Leverage factor:	111.50%
Basket percent increase:	(final basket value – initial basket value) / initial basket value
Basket performance factor:	final basket value / initial basket value
Trigger level:	70, which is 70% of the initial basket value
Initial basket value:	100, which is equal to the sum of the products of the initial basket component values of each of the basket components, as set forth under “Basket—Initial basket component value” above, and the applicable multiplier for each of the basket components, each of which was determined on the pricing date.
Final basket value:	The basket closing value on the valuation date.
Valuation date:	January 6, 2021, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events.
Basket closing value:	The basket closing value on any day is the sum of the products of the basket component closing values of each of the basket components and the applicable multiplier for each of the basket components on such date.
Basket component closing value:	In the case of each of the underlying shares, the closing price of one share of such underlying shares on such day times the adjustment factor for such underlying shares on such day.
Multiplier:	The multiplier was set on the pricing date based on each basket component’s respective initial basket component value so that each basket component represents its applicable basket component weighting in the predetermined initial basket value.  Each multiplier will remain constant for the term of the Trigger PLUS.  See “Basket—Multiplier” above.
Adjustment factor:	With respect to each of the underlying shares, 1.0, subject to adjustment for certain events affecting such underlying shares.
Listing:	The Trigger PLUS will not be listed on any securities exchange.
CUSIP / ISIN:	61768CDH7 / US61768CDH79
Agent:	Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS & Co.”), an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.  See “Supplemental information concerning plan of distribution; conflicts of interest.”
Estimated value on the pricing date:	$930.80 per Trigger PLUS.  See “Investment Summary” beginning on page 2.

Commissions and issue price:		Price to public	Agent’s commissions and fees(1)	Proceeds to us(2)
Per Trigger PLUS		$1,000	$8.50	$991.50
Total		$1,649,000	$14,016.50	$1,634,983.50

(1)

Selected dealers and their financial advisors will collectively receive from the Agent, MS & Co., a fixed sales commission of $8.50 for each Trigger PLUS they sell. See “Supplemental information concerning plan of distribution; conflicts of interest.” For additional information, see “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS.

(2)

See “Use of proceeds and hedging” on page 16.

The Trigger PLUS involve risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5.

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 Trigger PLUS 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 and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below. Please also see “Additional Information about the Trigger PLUS” at the end of this document.

References to “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Morgan Stanley or MSFL, or Morgan Stanley and MSFL collectively, as the context requires.

Product Supplement for PLUS dated February 29, 2016                Prospectus dated February 16, 2016 

 

Investment Summary

 

Trigger Performance Leveraged Upside Securities

 

Principal at Risk Securities

 

The Trigger PLUS Based on a Basket Consisting of Two Exchange-Traded Funds due January 11, 2021 (the “Trigger PLUS”) can be used:

 

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As an alternative to direct exposure to the basket that enhances returns for any positive performance of the basket

 

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To enhance returns and potentially outperform the basket in a bullish scenario, with no limitation on the appreciation potential

 

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To achieve similar levels of upside exposure to the basket as a direct investment while using fewer dollars by taking advantage of the leverage factor

 

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To provide limited protection against a loss of principal in the event of a decline in the value of the basket as of the valuation date, but only if the final basket value is greater than or equal to the trigger level

 

Maturity:	Approximately 4 years
Leverage factor:	111.50% (applicable only if the final basket value is greater than the initial basket value)
Trigger level:	70% of the initial basket value
Minimum payment at maturity:	None.  Investors may lose their entire initial investment in the Trigger PLUS.
Basket component weightings:	66.67% for the EWZ Shares and 33.33% for the EWW Shares
Interest:	None

 

The original issue price of each Trigger PLUS is $1,000. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the Trigger PLUS, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the Trigger PLUS on the pricing date is less than $1,000. We estimate that the value of each Trigger PLUS on the pricing date is $930.80.

 

What goes into the estimated value on the pricing date?

 

In valuing the Trigger PLUS on the pricing date, we take into account that the Trigger PLUS comprise both a debt component and a performance-based component linked to the basket components. The estimated value of the Trigger PLUS is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the basket components, instruments based on the basket components, 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 Trigger PLUS?

 

In determining the economic terms of the Trigger PLUS, including the leverage factor and the trigger level, 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS?

 

The price at which MS & Co. purchases the Trigger PLUS in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the basket components, 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 Trigger PLUS are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the Trigger PLUS in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the basket components, 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 Trigger PLUS and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time. 

 

 

Key Investment Rationale

 

The Trigger PLUS offer leveraged exposure to any positive performance of the basket. In exchange for the leverage feature, investors are exposed to the risk of loss of a significant portion or all of their investment due to the trigger feature. At maturity, an investor will receive an amount in cash based upon the value of the basket on the valuation date. The Trigger PLUS are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley, and all payments on the Trigger PLUS are subject to our credit risk. Investors may lose their entire initial investment in the Trigger PLUS.

 

Leveraged Performance	The Trigger PLUS offer investors an opportunity to capture enhanced returns relative to a direct investment in the basket.
Trigger Feature	At maturity, even if the basket has declined in value over the term of the Trigger PLUS, you will receive your stated principal amount, but only if the final basket value is greater than or equal to the trigger level.
Upside Scenario	The basket increases in value, and, at maturity, the Trigger PLUS redeem for the stated principal amount of $1,000 plus 111.50% of the basket percent increase.
Par Scenario	The final basket value is less than or equal to the initial basket value but is greater than or equal to the trigger level.  In this case, you receive the stated principal amount of $1,000 at maturity even though the basket has declined in value.
Downside Scenario	The final basket value is less than the trigger level.  In this case, the Trigger PLUS redeem for at least 30% less than the stated principal amount, and this decrease will be by an amount proportionate to the decline in the value of the basket over the term of the Trigger PLUS. Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than 70% of the stated principal amount and could be zero.  There is no minimum payment at maturity on the Trigger PLUS, and you could lose your entire investment.

 

 

How the Trigger PLUS Work

 

Payoff Diagram

 

The payoff diagram below illustrates the payment at maturity on the Trigger PLUS based on the following terms:

 

Stated principal amount:	$1,000 per Trigger PLUS
Leverage factor:	111.50%
Trigger level:	70% of the initial basket value

 

Trigger PLUS Payoff Diagram

 

How it works

 

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Upside Scenario. If the final basket value is greater than the initial basket value, investors will receive the $1,000 stated principal amount plus 111.50% of the appreciation of the basket over the term of the Trigger PLUS.

 

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If the basket appreciates 10%, investors will receive a 11.15% return, or $1,111.50 per Trigger PLUS.

 

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Par Scenario. If the final basket value is less than or equal to the initial basket value but is greater than or equal to the trigger level, investors will receive the $1,000 stated principal amount.

 

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If the basket depreciates 10%, investors will receive the $1,000 stated principal amount.

 

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Downside Scenario. If the final basket value is less than the trigger level, investors will receive an amount that is significantly less than the $1,000 stated principal amount, based on a 1% loss of principal for each 1% decline in the basket value.

 

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If the basket depreciates 60%, investors will lose 60% of their principal and receive only $400 per Trigger PLUS at maturity, or 40% of the stated principal amount.

 

 

Risk Factors

 

The following is a non-exhaustive list of certain key risk factors for investors in the Trigger PLUS. For further discussion of these and other risks, you should read the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS and prospectus. You should also consult with your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers in connection with your investment in the Trigger PLUS.

 

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The Trigger PLUS do not pay interest or guarantee return of any principal. The terms of the Trigger PLUS differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that the Trigger PLUS do not pay interest or guarantee the payment of any of the principal amount at maturity. If the final basket value is less than the trigger level (which is 70% of the initial basket value), the payment at maturity will be an amount in cash that is at least 30% less than the $1,000 stated principal amount of each Trigger PLUS, and this decrease will be by an amount proportionate to the full amount of the decline in the closing price of the underlying shares over the term of the Trigger PLUS, without any buffer. There is no minimum payment at maturity on the Trigger PLUS and you could lose your entire investment.

 

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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 Trigger PLUS in the secondary market and the price at which MS & Co. may be willing to purchase or sell the Trigger PLUS in the secondary market, including: the value, volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in value) and dividend yield of the basket components, interest and yield rates, time remaining to maturity, geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political and regulatory or judicial events that affect the basket components or equities markets generally and which may affect the final basket value, and any actual or anticipated changes to our credit ratings or credit spreads. The values of the basket components may be, and have recently been, volatile, and we can give you no assurance that the volatility will lessen. See “Basket Overview” below. You may receive less, and possibly significantly less, than the stated principal amount per Trigger PLUS if you try to sell your Trigger PLUS prior to maturity.

 

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The Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS. You are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the Trigger PLUS at maturity and therefore you are subject to our credit risk. The Trigger PLUS are not guaranteed by any other entity. If we default on our obligations under the Trigger PLUS, your investment would be at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment. As a result, the market value of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS.

 

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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.

 

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Changes in the values of the basket components may offset each other. Value movements in the basket components may not correlate with each other. At a time when one basket component increases in value, the value of the other basket component may not increase as much, or may even decline. Therefore, in calculating the basket components’ performance on the valuation date, an increase in the value of one basket component may be moderated, or wholly offset, by a lesser increase or decline in the value of other basket component. Furthermore, the basket components do not have the same basket component weightings. The EWZ Shares are weighted at 66.67% of the basket and the EWW Shares are weighted at 33.33% of the basket. Therefore, the same percentage change over the term of the securities in each of the basket components would have different effects on the basket performance. A decrease in the value of the more heavily weighted basket component could moderate, offset or more than offset an increase in the value of the less heavily weighted basket component. For example, because the weighting of the EWZ Shares is significantly greater than the weighting of the EWW Shares, a 5% decrease in the value of the EWZ Shares will more than offset a 9% increase in the value of the EWW Shares, which has a lower weighting.

 

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There are risks associated with investments in securities, such as the Trigger PLUS, linked to the value of foreign (and especially emerging markets) equity securities. The EWZ Shares and the EWW Shares track the performance of the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index® (the “EWZ Share Underlying Index”) and the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index® (the “EWW Share Underlying Index,” and together with the EWZ Share Underlying Index, the “share underlying indices”),

 

 

respectively, which are linked to the value of foreign equity securities. Investments in securities linked to the value of any foreign equity securities involve risks associated with the securities markets in those countries, including risks of volatility in those markets, governmental intervention in those markets and cross-shareholdings in companies in certain countries. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than about U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements different from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies. The prices of securities issued in foreign markets may be affected by political, economic, financial and social factors in those countries, or global regions, including changes in government, economic and fiscal policies and currency exchange laws. In addition, the stocks included in the share underlying indices and that are generally tracked by the EWZ and EWW Shares have been issued by companies in various emerging markets countries, which pose further risks in addition to the risks associated with investing in foreign equity markets generally. Countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of holdings difficult or impossible at times. Moreover, the economies in such countries may differ unfavorably from the economy in the United States in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions.

 

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The prices of the EWZ Shares and the EWW Shares are subject to currency exchange risk. Because the prices of the EWZ Shares and the EWW Shares are related to the U.S. dollar value of stocks underlying the EWZ Share Underlying Index and the EWW Share Underlying Index, respectively, holders of the Trigger PLUS will be exposed to the currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which such component securities trade. Exchange rate movements for a particular currency are volatile and are the result of numerous factors including the supply of, and the demand for, those currencies, as well as the relevant government policy, intervention or actions, but are also influenced significantly from time to time by political or economic developments, and by macroeconomic factors and speculative actions related to the relevant region. An investor’s net exposure will depend on the extent to which the currencies of the component securities strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar and the relative weight of each currency. If, taking into account such weighting, the dollar strengthens against the currencies of the component securities represented in the EWZ Share Underlying Index or the EWW Share Underlying Index, the price of the EWZ Shares or the EWW Shares, as applicable, will be adversely affected and the payment at maturity on the Trigger PLUS may be reduced.

 

Of particular importance to potential currency exchange risk are:

 

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existing and expected rates of inflation;

 

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existing and expected interest rate levels;

 

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the balance of payments between countries; and

 

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the extent of governmental surpluses or deficits in the relevant countries and the United States.

 

All of these factors are in turn sensitive to the monetary, fiscal and trade policies pursued by the governments of various countries represented in the share underlying indices and the United States and other countries important to international trade and finance.

 

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Investing in the Trigger PLUS is not equivalent to investing in the basket components. Investing in the Trigger PLUS is not equivalent to investing directly in the basket components or any of the component stocks of the basket components. As an investor in the Trigger PLUS, you will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the basket components or any of the component stocks of the basket components.

 

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Adjustments to the underlying shares or to the share underlying indices could adversely affect the value of the Trigger PLUS. The investment advisor to the iShares® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF and the iShares® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF, BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the EWZ Share Underlying Index and the EWW Share Underlying Index, respectively. Pursuant to its investment strategy or otherwise, the Investment Advisor may add, delete or substitute the components of either underlying shares. Any of these actions could adversely affect the price of the applicable underlying shares and, consequently, the value of the Trigger PLUS. The publisher of each share underlying index can add, delete or substitute the stocks constituting such share underlying index or make other methodological changes required by certain corporate events relating to the component stocks, such as stock dividends, stock splits, spin-offs, rights offerings and extraordinary dividends, that could change the value of the share underlying index. The publisher of each share

 

 

underlying index may discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of such share underlying index at any time. If this discontinuance or suspension occurs following the termination of the respective underlying shares, the calculation agent will have the sole discretion to substitute a successor index that is comparable to the discontinued index, and is permitted to consider indices that are calculated and published by the calculation agent or any of its affiliates. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of the underlying shares and, consequently, the value of the Trigger PLUS.

 

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The performance and market price of the underlying shares, particularly during periods of market volatility, may not correlate with the performance of its respective share underlying index, the performance of the component securities of such share underlying index or the net asset value per share of such underlying shares. The underlying shares do not fully replicate their respective share underlying indices, and each may hold securities that are different than those included in its respective share underlying index.  In addition, the performance of each of the underlying shares will reflect additional transaction costs and fees that are not included in the calculation of the share underlying indices.  All of these factors may lead to a lack of correlation between the performance of each of the underlying shares and its respective share underlying index.  In addition, corporate actions (such as mergers and spin-offs) with respect to the equity securities underlying each of the underlying shares may impact the variance between the performance of each of the underlying shares and its respective share underlying index.  Finally, because the shares of each of the underlying shares are traded on  an exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market price of one share of each of the underlying shares may differ from the net asset value per share of such underlying shares.

 

In particular, during periods of market volatility, or unusual trading activity, trading in the securities underlying each of the underlying shares may be disrupted or limited, or such securities may be unavailable in the secondary market.  Under these circumstances, the liquidity of each underlying shares may be adversely affected, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the net asset value per share of each of the underlying shares, and their ability to create and redeem shares of each of the underlying shares may be disrupted. Under these circumstances, the market price of shares of each of the underlying shares may vary substantially from the net asset value per share of each underlying share or the level of its respective share underlying index.

 

For all of the foregoing reasons, the performance of each of the underlying shares may not correlate with the performance of its respective share underlying index, the performance of the component securities of such share underlying index or the net asset value per share of such underlying shares.  Any of these events could materially and adversely affect the prices of each of the underlying shares and, therefore, the value of the Trigger PLUS.  Additionally, if market volatility or these events were to occur on the valuation date, the calculation agent would maintain discretion to determine whether such market volatility or events have caused a market disruption event to occur, and such determination would affect the payment at maturity of the Trigger PLUS.  If the calculation agent determines that no market disruption event has taken place, the payment at maturity would be based solely on the published closing price per share of each of the underlying shares on the valuation date, even if any of the underlying shares is underperforming its respective share underlying index or the component securities of such share underlying index and/or trading below the net asset value per share of such underlying shares.

 

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The antidilution adjustments the calculation agent is required to make do not cover every event that could affect the underlying shares. MS & Co., as calculation agent, will adjust the adjustment factors for certain events affecting the underlying shares. However, the calculation agent will not make an adjustment for every event that could affect the underlying shares. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to adjust an adjustment factor, the market price of the Trigger PLUS may be materially and adversely affected.

 

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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 Trigger PLUS in the original issue price reduce the economic terms of the Trigger PLUS, cause the estimated value of the Trigger PLUS to be less than the original issue price and will adversely affect secondary market prices. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the prices, if any, at which dealers, including MS & Co., may be willing to purchase the Trigger PLUS in secondary market transactions will likely be significantly lower than the original issue price, because secondary market prices will exclude the issuing, selling, structuring and hedging-related costs that are included in the original issue price and borne by you and because the secondary market prices will reflect our 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 Trigger PLUS in the original issue price and the lower rate we are willing to pay as issuer make the economic terms of the Trigger PLUS less favorable to you than they otherwise would be.

 

 

However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the Trigger PLUS are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the Trigger PLUS in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the basket components, 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.

 

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The estimated value of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS than those generated by others, including other dealers in the market, if they attempted to value the Trigger PLUS. 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 Trigger PLUS in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your Trigger PLUS 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.

 

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The Trigger PLUS will not be listed on any securities exchange and secondary trading may be limited. The Trigger PLUS will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the Trigger PLUS. MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the Trigger PLUS and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time. When it does make a market, it will generally do so for transactions of routine secondary market size at prices based on its estimate of the current value of the Trigger PLUS, taking into account its bid/offer spread, our credit spreads, market volatility, the notional size of the proposed sale, the cost of unwinding any related hedging positions, the time remaining to maturity and the likelihood that it will be able to resell the Trigger PLUS. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Trigger PLUS easily. Since other broker-dealers may not participate significantly in the secondary market for the Trigger PLUS, the price at which you may be able to trade your Trigger PLUS is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which MS & Co. is willing to transact. If, at any time, MS & Co. were to cease making a market in the Trigger PLUS, it is likely that there would be no secondary market for the Trigger PLUS. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your Trigger PLUS to maturity.

 

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The calculation agent, which is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of MSFL, will make determinations with respect to the Trigger PLUS. As calculation agent, MS & Co. has determined the initial basket component values and the multipliers, will determine the final basket value, including whether the basket has decreased in value to below the trigger level, and will calculate the basket percent increase or basket performance factor, as applicable, and the amount of cash, if any, you will receive at maturity. Moreover, cetain 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 or calculation of the basket component closing value in the event of a discontinuance of the relevant basket component. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity, if any. For further information regarding these types of determinations, see “Description of PLUS—General Terms of PLUS” —Postponement of Valuation Date(s),” —Alternate Exchange Calculation in case of an Event of Default, “—Discontinuance of Any ETF Shares and/or Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” and “—Calculation Agent and Calculations” in the accompanying product supplement. In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the Trigger PLUS on the pricing date.

 

§

Hedging and trading activity by our affiliates could potentially adversely affect the value of the Trigger PLUS. One or more of our affiliates and/or third-party dealers have carried out, and will continue to carry out, hedging activities related to the Trigger PLUS (and to other instruments linked to the basket components or component stocks of the share underlying indices), including trading in the underlying shares or the stocks that constitute the share underlying indices as well as in other instruments related to the basket components. As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the Trigger PLUS, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent adjustments to the hedge as the valuation date approaches. Some of our affiliates also trade the underlying shares or the stocks that constitute the share underlying indices and other financial instruments related to the basket components 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 have increased the initial basket component values, and, therefore, could have increased the values at or above which the basket components must close on the valuation date so that investors do not suffer a significant loss on their initial investment in the Trigger PLUS. Additionally, such hedging or trading activities during the term of the Trigger PLUS, including on the valuation date, could potentially affect whether the basket closing value on the

 

 

valuation date is at or below the trigger level, and, therefore, whether an investor would receive significantly less than the stated principal amount of the Trigger PLUS at maturity.

 

§

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Trigger PLUS are uncertain. Please read the discussion under “Additional provisions—Tax considerations” in this document and the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS (together the “Tax Disclosure Sections”) concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Trigger PLUS. As discussed in the Tax Disclosure Sections, there is a substantial risk that the “constructive ownership” rule could apply, in which case all or a portion of any long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. Holder could be recharacterized as ordinary income and an interest charge could be imposed. If the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) were successful in asserting an alternative treatment, the timing and character of income on the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS as debt instruments. In that event, U.S. Holders would be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the Trigger PLUS every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of issuance and recognize all income and gain in respect of the Trigger PLUS as ordinary income. Additionally, as discussed under “United States Federal Taxation—FATCA Legislation” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS, the withholding rules commonly referred to as “FATCA” would apply to the Trigger PLUS if they were recharacterized as debt instruments. The risk that financial instruments providing for buffers, triggers or similar downside protection features, such as the Trigger PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS, and the IRS or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in the Tax Disclosure Sections.

 

In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. The notice focuses in particular on whether to require holders of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange-traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to which income (including any mandated accruals) realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” rule, as discussed in this document. 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 Trigger PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS, including possible alternative treatments, the potential application of the constructive ownership rule, the issues presented by this notice and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

 

 

Basket Overview

 

The basket consists of shares of the iShares^® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF (the “EWZ Shares”) and shares of the iShares^® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF (“EWW Shares”) and offers exposure to price movements in the international equity markets.

 

iShares^® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF. The iShares^® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF is an exchange-traded fund that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index^®. The iShares^® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF is managed by iShares^®, Inc. (“iShares”), a registered investment company that consists of numerous separate investment portfolios, including the iShares^® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF. The shares of the iShares^® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF trade on the NYSE Arca, Inc. under the ticker symbol “EWZ.” Information provided to or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission") by iShares pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 can be located by reference to Commission file numbers 033-97598 and 811-09102, respectively, through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information.

 

This document relates only to the Trigger PLUS referenced hereby and does not relate to the underlying shares. We have derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding iShares from the publicly available documents described above. In connection with the offering of the Trigger PLUS, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to iShares. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding iShares 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 shares (and therefore the price of the underlying shares at the time we priced the Trigger PLUS) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning iShares could affect the value received at maturity with respect to the Trigger PLUS and therefore the value of the Trigger PLUS.

 

Neither we nor any of our affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the underlying shares.

 

We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with iShares. In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to iShares, and neither we nor any of our affiliates undertakes to disclose any such information to you. In addition, one or more of our affiliates may publish research reports with respect to the underlying shares. The statements in the preceding two sentences are not intended to affect the rights of investors in the Trigger PLUS under the securities laws. As a prospective purchaser of the Trigger PLUS, you should undertake an independent investigation of iShares as in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment linked to the underlying shares.

 

iShares^® is a registered trademark of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”). The Trigger PLUS are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by BTC. BTC makes no representations or warranties to the owners of the Trigger PLUS or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in the Trigger PLUS. BTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the operation, marketing, trading or sale of the Trigger PLUS.

 

iShares^® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF. The iShares^® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF is an exchange-traded fund that seeks investment results that correspond closely to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index^®. The iShares^® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF is managed by iShares, a registered investment company that consists of numerous separate investment portfolios, including the iShares^® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF. The shares of the iShares^® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF trade on the NYSE Arca, Inc. under the ticker symbol “EWW.” Information provided to or filed with the Commission by iShares pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 can be located by reference to Commission file numbers 033-97598 and 811-09102, respectively, through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information.

 

This document relates only to the Trigger PLUS referenced hereby and does not relate to the underlying shares. We have derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding iShares from the publicly available documents described above. In connection with the offering of the Trigger PLUS, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to iShares. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information

 

 

regarding iShares 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 shares (and therefore the price of the underlying shares at the time we priced the Trigger PLUS) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning iShares could affect the value received at maturity with respect to the Trigger PLUS and therefore the value of the Trigger PLUS.

 

Neither we nor any of our affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the underlying shares.

 

We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with iShares. In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to iShares, and neither we nor any of our affiliates undertakes to disclose any such information to you. In addition, one or more of our affiliates may publish research reports with respect to the underlying shares. The statements in the preceding two sentences are not intended to affect the rights of investors in the Trigger PLUS under the securities laws. As a prospective purchaser of the Trigger PLUS, you should undertake an independent investigation of iShares as in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment linked to the underlying shares.

 

iShares^® is a registered trademark of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”). The Trigger PLUS are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by BTC. BTC makes no representations or warranties to the owners of the Trigger PLUS or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in the Trigger PLUS. BTC has no obligation or liability in connection with the operation, marketing, trading or sale of the Trigger PLUS.

 

 

Information as of market close on January 4, 2017:

 

Basket Component Information as of January 4, 2017
Basket Component	Bloomberg Ticker Symbol	Current Basket Component Level	52 Weeks Ago	52 Week High	52 Week Low
EWZ Shares	EWZ UP	$34.81	$19.94	(on 10/25/2016): $38.19	(on 1/21/2016): $17.33
EWW Shares	EWW UP	$43.10	$49.07	(on 3/30/2016): $54.12	(on 11/20/2016): $42.97

 

The following graph is calculated as if the basket had an initial value of 100 on January 1, 2012 (assuming that each basket component is weighted as described in “Basket” on the cover page) and illustrates the effect of the offset and/or correlation among the basket components during such period. The graph does not take into account the leverage factor or the trigger level, nor does it attempt to show your expected return on an investment in the Trigger PLUS. The historical performance of the basket should not be taken as an indication of its future performance.

 

Basket Historical Performance January 1, 2012 to January 4, 2017

 

The following graphs set forth the daily closing prices of each of the basket components for the period from January 1, 2012 through January 4, 2017. The related tables set forth the published high and low closing values and closing prices, as applicable, as well as end-of-quarter closing values and closing prices, for each of the basket components for each quarter in the same period. The closing values and closing prices, as applicable, for each of the basket components on January 4, 2017 were: (i) in the case of the EWZ Shares, $34.81 and (ii) in the case of the EWW Shares, $43.10. We obtained the information in the tables and graphs below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The historical values of the basket components should not be taken as an indication of their future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the basket closing value on the valuation date.

 

 

iShares® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF January 1, 2012 to January 4, 2017

 

iShares® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF	High ($)	Low ($)	Period End ($)
2012
First Quarter	70.42	57.39	64.74
Second Quarter	65.36	49.07	51.80
Third Quarter	57.06	50.03	54.05
Fourth Quarter	56.06	51.01	56.06
2013
First Quarter	57.65	53.39	54.48
Second Quarter	55.71	43.07	43.86
Third Quarter	49.73	41.26	47.91
Fourth Quarter	51.58	43.41	44.68
2014
First Quarter	45.02	38.03	45.02
Second Quarter	49.98	45.15	47.78
Third Quarter	54.00	43.45	43.45
Fourth Quarter	47.32	33.82	36.57
2015
First Quarter	37.91	29.31	31.37
Second Quarter	37.19	32.24	32.77
Third Quarter	32.98	20.64	21.95
Fourth Quarter	25.50	20.68	20.68
2016
First Quarter	26.93	17.33	26.30
Second Quarter	30.13	24.96	30.13
Third Quarter	35.10	29.03	33.73
Fourth Quarter	38.19	31.11	33.34
2017
First Quarter (through January 4, 2017)	34.81	33.34	34.81

 

 

iShares® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF January 1, 2012 to January 4, 2017

 

iShares® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF	High ($)	Low ($)	Period End ($)
2012
First Quarter	62.52	53.76	62.52
Second Quarter	63.64	53.65	61.45
Third Quarter	65.74	60.40	65.39
Fourth Quarter	71.24	63.43	70.53
2013
First Quarter	74.96	70.05	74.59
Second Quarter	76.71	58.72	65.20
Third Quarter	70.28	61.16	63.89
Fourth Quarter	68.66	62.41	68.00
2014
First Quarter	68.00	59.14	63.95
Second Quarter	68.14	62.92	67.81
Third Quarter	73.00	68.13	68.73
Fourth Quarter	68.60	55.84	59.39
2015
First Quarter	60.26	55.75	57.96
Second Quarter	60.99	56.92	57.11
Third Quarter	57.97	48.91	51.56
Fourth Quarter	56.11	49.28	49.83
2016
First Quarter	54.12	44.14	53.70
Second Quarter	54.06	46.31	50.36
Third Quarter	53.80	46.65	48.48
Fourth Quarter	52.79	42.97	43.97
2017

First Quarter (through January 4, 2017)

43.97

43.10

43.10

 

Additional Information about the Trigger PLUS

 

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

 

Additional provisions:
Share underlying index:	With respect to the EWZ Shares, the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index® With respect to the EWW Shares, the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index®
Postponement of maturity date:	If the valuation date for any basket component is postponed so that it falls less than two business days prior to the scheduled maturity date, the maturity date will be postponed to the second business day following the last valuation date as postponed.

Minimum ticketing size:	$1,000 / 1 Trigger PLUS
Bull market or bear market Trigger PLUS:	Bull Market Trigger PLUS
Tax considerations:	Although there is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Trigger PLUS 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, a Trigger PLUS should be treated as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
	Assuming this treatment of the Trigger PLUS is respected and subject to the discussion in “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS prior to settlement, other than pursuant to a sale or exchange.
	§   Upon sale, exchange or settlement of the Trigger PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS. Subject to the discussion below concerning the potential application of the “constructive ownership” rule, such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if the investor has held the Trigger PLUS for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise.
	Because the Trigger PLUS are linked to shares of exchange-traded funds, although the matter is not clear, there is a substantial risk that an investment in the Trigger PLUS will be treated as a “constructive ownership transaction” under Section 1260 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If this treatment applies, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain of the U.S. Holder in respect of the Trigger PLUS could be recharacterized as ordinary income (in which case an interest charge will be imposed). Due to the lack of governing authority, our counsel is unable to opine as to whether or how Section 1260 of the Code applies to the Trigger PLUS. U.S. investors should read the section entitled “United States Federal Taxation—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—Possible Application of Section 1260 of the Code” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS for additional information and consult their tax advisers regarding the potential application of the “constructive ownership” rule.   In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. The notice focuses in particular on whether to require holders of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange-traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to which income (including any mandated accruals) realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” rule, as discussed above. 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 Trigger PLUS, possibly with retroactive effect.   As discussed in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS, 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 upon issuance based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations (a “Specified Security”). However, under a recent IRS notice, Section 871(m) will not apply to securities issued before January 1, 2018 that are not “delta-one” with respect to any U.S. equity. Based on our determination that the Trigger PLUS are not “delta-one” with respect to any U.S. equity, our counsel is of the opinion that the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS.   Both U.S. and non-U.S. investors considering an investment in the Trigger PLUS should read the discussion under “Risk Factors” in this document and the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS and consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Trigger PLUS, including possible alternative treatments, the potential application of the constructive ownership rule, the issues presented by the aforementioned notice and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.   The discussion in the preceding paragraphs under “Tax considerations” and the discussion contained in the section entitled “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS.
Trustee:	The Bank of New York Mellon
Calculation agent:	MS & Co.
Use of proceeds and hedging:	The proceeds from the sale of the Trigger PLUS will be used by us for general corporate purposes.  We will receive, in aggregate, $1,000 per Trigger PLUS issued, because, when we enter into hedging transactions in order to meet our obligations under the Trigger PLUS, our hedging counterparty will reimburse the cost of the agent’s commissions.  The costs of the Trigger PLUS borne by you and described beginning on page 2 above comprise the agent’s commissions and the cost of issuing, structuring and hedging the Trigger PLUS.
	On or prior to the pricing date, we hedged our anticipated exposure in connection with the Trigger PLUS by entering into hedging transactions with our affiliates and/or third party dealers.  We expect our hedging counterparties to have taken positions in the underlying shares and in futures or options contracts on the basket components or component stocks of the share underlying indices listed on major securities markets.  Such purchase activity could have increased the initial basket component values of the basket components, and, therefore, could have increased the values at or above which the basket components must close on the valuation date so that investors do not suffer a significant loss on their initial investment in the Trigger PLUS.  In addition, through our affiliates, we are likely to modify our hedge position throughout the term of the Trigger PLUS, including on the valuation date, by purchasing and selling the underlying shares, the stocks constituting the share underlying indices, futures or options contracts on the basket components or component stocks of the share underlying indices listed on major securities markets or positions in any other available securities or instruments that we may wish to use in connection with such hedging activities.  As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the Trigger PLUS, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the valuation date approaches.  We cannot give any assurance that our hedging activities will not affect the value of the basket component and, therefore, adversely affect the value of the Trigger PLUS or the payment you will receive at maturity, if any.  For further information on our use of proceeds and hedging, see “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS.
Benefit plan investor considerations:	Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to 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 Trigger PLUS. 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 (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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS. 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 Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code may 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 Trigger PLUS.   Because we may be considered a party in interest with respect to many Plans, the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS will be deemed to have represented, in its corporate and its fiduciary capacity, by its purchase and holding of the Trigger PLUS that either (a) it is not a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity and is not purchasing such Trigger PLUS 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 are eligible for exemptive relief or such purchase, holding and disposition are not prohibited by ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or 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 Trigger PLUS on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan consult with their counsel regarding the availability of exemptive relief.   The Trigger PLUS are contractual financial instruments. The financial exposure provided by the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS. The Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS.   Each purchaser or holder of any Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS, (B) the purchaser or holder’s investment in the Trigger PLUS, or (C) the exercise of or failure to exercise any rights we have under or with respect to the Trigger PLUS;   (ii)  we and our affiliates have acted and will act solely for our own account in connection with (A) all transactions relating to the Trigger PLUS and (B) all hedging transactions in connection with our obligations under the Trigger PLUS;   (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 Trigger PLUS has exclusive responsibility for ensuring that its purchase, holding and disposition of the Trigger PLUS do not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code or any Similar Law. The sale of any Trigger PLUS 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.   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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS by the account, plan or annuity.
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 Trigger PLUS, either directly or indirectly.
Supplemental information concerning plan of distribution; conflicts of interest:	Selected dealers, including Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and their financial advisors will collectively receive from the agent, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, a fixed sales commission of $8.50 for each Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS. MS & Co. will conduct this offering in compliance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., which is commonly referred to as FINRA, regarding a FINRA member firm’s distribution of the securities of an affiliate and related conflicts of interest. MS & Co. or any of our other affiliates may not make sales in this offering to any discretionary account. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement for PLUS.

Validity of the Trigger PLUS:

In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, as special counsel to MSFL and Morgan Stanley, when the Trigger PLUS offered by this pricing supplement have been executed and issued by MSFL, authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) and delivered against payment as contemplated herein, such Trigger PLUS will be valid and binding obligations of MSFL and the related guarantee will be a valid and binding obligation of Morgan Stanley, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith), provided that such counsel expresses no opinion as to (i) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above and (ii) any provision of the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture that purports to avoid the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law by limiting the amount of Morgan Stanley’s obligation under the related guarantee.  This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.  In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture and its authentication of the Trigger PLUS and the validity, binding nature and enforceability of the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture with respect to the trustee, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated February 16, 2016, which is Exhibit 5-a to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by Morgan Stanley on February 16, 2016.

Contact:

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management clients may contact their local Morgan Stanley branch office or our principal executive offices at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036 (telephone number (866) 477-4776).  All other clients may contact their local brokerage representative.  Third-party distributors may contact Morgan Stanley Structured Investment Sales at (800) 233-1087.

Where you can find more information:

MSFL and Morgan Stanley have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the product supplement for PLUS) 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 PLUS and any other documents relating to this offering that MSFL and Morgan Stanley have filed with the SEC for more complete information about MSFL and Morgan Stanley and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting

 

 

EDGAR on the SEC web site at.www.sec.gov. Alternatively, MSFL and/or Morgan Stanley will arrange to send you the product supplement for PLUS and prospectus 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:   Product Supplement for PLUS dated February 29, 2016 Prospectus dated February 16, 2016   Terms used but not defined in this document are defined in the product supplement for PLUS or in the prospectus.   “Performance Leveraged Upside SecuritiesSM” and “PLUSSM” are our service marks.

 

 

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