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 for Jump Securities, index 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 provide for the minimum payment at maturity of only 20% of your principal. The terms of the securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that the securities do not pay interest and will provide for the return of only 20% of the principal amount of the securities at maturity. If the final index value is less than the downside threshold value, the absolute return feature will no longer be available and the payout at maturity will be an amount in cash that is less than the stated principal amount of each security by an amount proportionate to the decline in the value of the underlying index below 80% of the initial index value. You could lose up to 80% of the stated principal amount of the securities.
■The appreciation potential is fixed and limited. Where the final index value is greater than or equal to the initial index value, the appreciation potential of the securities is limited to the fixed upside payment of at least $62.50 per security (6.25% of the stated principal amount), even if the final index value is significantly greater than the initial index value. The actual upside payment will be determined on the pricing date. Additionally, the maximum return you can achieve if the underlying index depreciates is limited. If the underlying index depreciates by more than 20%, you will lose money on your investment in the securities. See “How the Securities Work” on page 5 above.
■You will not benefit from the upside payment and/or the absolute return feature if the final index value is less than the downside threshold value. If the final index value is less than the downside threshold value, the payment at maturity will depend solely on the index closing value of the underlying index on the valuation date, and, accordingly, you will lose the benefit of the limited protection against the loss of principal based on the upside payment or the absolute return feature. Instead, under these circumstances, you will be exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to the decline in the index closing value of the underlying index beyond the buffer amount of 20%, and you will lose some or a significant portion of your investment.
■The market price of the securities may 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. may be willing to purchase or sell the securities in the secondary market, including:
■the value of the underlying index at any time,
■the volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in value) of the underlying index,
■dividend rates on the securities underlying the underlying index,
■interest and yield rates in the market,
■geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the component stocks of the underlying index or securities markets generally and which may affect the value of the underlying index,
■the time remaining until the maturity of the securities,
■the composition of the underlying index and changes in the constituent stocks of the underlying index, and
■any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads.
Some or all of these factors will influence the price you will receive if you sell your securities prior to maturity. For example, you may have to sell your securities at a substantial discount from the stated principal amount if at the time of sale the value of the underlying index is at or below the initial index value and especially if it has declined by an amount greater than the buffer amount.
You cannot predict the future performance of the underlying index based on its historical performance. If the final index value has declined by an amount greater than 20% from the initial index value, you will receive for each security that you hold a payment at maturity that is less than the stated principal amount of each security by an amount proportionate to the decline in the value of the underlying index below 80% of the initial index value.
■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