Pricing Supplement No. 6,542
Registration Statement Nos. 333-275587; 333-275587-01
Dated February 25, 2025
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Structured Investments
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities due February 28, 2030
Based on the Performance of the S&P® U.S. Equity Momentum 40% VT 4% Decrement Index
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley
Principal at Risk Securities
￭The securities are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley Finance LLC (“MSFL”) and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley. The securities have the terms described in the accompanying product supplement, index supplement and prospectus, as supplemented or modified by this document.
￭Fixed coupon. The securities will pay a fixed coupon on each coupon payment date at the annual rate specified herein.
￭Automatic early redemption. The securities will be automatically redeemed if the closing level of the underlier is greater than or equal to the call threshold level on any redemption determination date for an early redemption payment equal to the stated principal amount plus the fixed coupon with respect to the related interest period. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been automatically redeemed.
￭Payment at maturity. If the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final level is greater than or equal to the buffer level, investors will receive, in addition to the fixed coupon with respect to the final interest period, the stated principal amount at maturity. If, however, the final level is less than the buffer level, although investors will still receive the fixed coupon with respect to the final interest period, investors will lose 1% for every 1% decline in the level of the underlier beyond the specified buffer amount. Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less, and may be significantly less, than the stated principal amount of the securities, subject to the minimum payment at maturity.
￭The underlier was developed by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC, in coordination with Morgan Stanley, and was established on March 14, 2022. For more information about the underlier, see the information set forth in the accompanying index supplement.
￭The securities are for investors who are willing to risk their principal in exchange for the buffer feature and the opportunity to earn interest at a potentially above-market rate. You will not participate in any appreciation of the underlier. Investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing a significant portion of their initial investment. 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, any underlying reference asset or assets.
FINAL TERMS | |||
Issuer: | Morgan Stanley Finance LLC | ||
Guarantor: | Morgan Stanley | ||
Stated principal amount: | $1,000 per security | ||
Issue price: | $1,000 per security (see “Commissions and issue price” below) | ||
Aggregate principal amount: | $1,543,000 | ||
Underlier: | S&P® U.S. Equity Momentum 40% VT 4% Decrement Index (the “underlying index”) | ||
Strike date: | February 25, 2025 | ||
Pricing date: | February 25, 2025 | ||
Original issue date: | February 28, 2025 | ||
Observation date: | February 25, 2030, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events | ||
Maturity date: | February 28, 2030 | ||
Terms continued on the following page | |||
Agent: | Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS & Co.”), an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. See “Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest.” | ||
Estimated value on the pricing date: | $920.10 per security. See “Estimated Value of the Securities” on page 4. | ||
Commissions and issue price: | Price to public | Agent’s commissions and fees(1) | Proceeds to us(2) |
Per security | $1,000 | $42.50 | $957.50 |
Total | $1,543,000 | $65,577.50 | $1,477,422.50 |
(1)Selected dealers and their financial advisors will collectively receive from the agent, MS & Co., a fixed sales commission of $42.50 for each security they sell. See “Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest.” For additional information, see “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying product supplement.
(2)See “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement.
The securities involve risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7.
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, index 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, index supplement and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below. When you read the accompanying index 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 Terms of the Securities” and “Additional Information About the Securities” 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 Principal at Risk Securities dated February 7, 2025 Index Supplement dated November 16, 2023
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
Terms continued from the previous page | |
Automatic early redemption: | The securities are not subject to automatic early redemption until the first redemption determination date. If, on any redemption determination date, the closing level of the underlier is greater than or equal to the call threshold level, the securities will be automatically redeemed for the early redemption payment on the related early redemption date. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been automatically redeemed. The securities will not be redeemed on any early redemption date if the closing level of the underlier is less than the call threshold level on the related redemption determination date. |
Early redemption payment: | The stated principal amount plus the fixed coupon with respect to the related interest period |
Fixed coupon: | Unless the securities have previously been automatically redeemed, a fixed coupon at an annual rate of 7.00% will be paid on the securities on each coupon payment date. |
Buffer level: | 854.522, which is 85% of the initial level |
Call threshold level: | 1,005.32, which is 100% of the initial level |
Payment at maturity per security: | If the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity, investors will receive, in addition to the fixed coupon with respect to the final interest period, a payment at maturity determined as follows: •If the final level is greater than or equal to the buffer level: stated principal amount •If the final level is less than the buffer level: stated principal amount × (performance factor + buffer amount) Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less, and may be significantly less, than the stated principal amount, subject to the minimum payment at maturity. |
Buffer amount: | 15% |
Minimum payment at maturity: | 15% of the stated principal amount |
Redemption determination dates: | February 25, 2026, March 25, 2026, April 23, 2026, May 22, 2026, June 24, 2026, July 23, 2026, August 25, 2026, September 23, 2026, October 23, 2026, November 24, 2026, December 22, 2026, January 25, 2027, February 24, 2027, March 23, 2027, April 23, 2027, May 25, 2027, June 23, 2027, July 23, 2027, August 25, 2027, September 23, 2027, October 25, 2027, November 23, 2027, December 22, 2027, January 25, 2028, February 23, 2028, March 23, 2028, April 25, 2028, May 24, 2028, June 23, 2028, July 25, 2028, August 23, 2028, September 25, 2028, October 25, 2028, November 22, 2028, December 22, 2028, January 24, 2029, February 23, 2029, March 23, 2029, April 25, 2029, May 23, 2029, June 25, 2029, July 25, 2029, August 23, 2029, September 25, 2029, October 24, 2029, November 23, 2029, December 24, 2029 and January 23, 2030, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events. |
First redemption determination date: | February 25, 2026. Under no circumstances will the securities be redeemed prior to the first redemption determination date. |
Early redemption dates: | February 28, 2026, March 28, 2026, April 28, 2026, May 28, 2026, June 28, 2026, July 28, 2026, August 28, 2026, September 28, 2026, October 28, 2026, November 28, 2026, December 28, 2026, January 28, 2027, February 28, 2027, March 28, 2027, April 28, 2027, May 28, 2027, June 28, 2027, July 28, 2027, August 28, 2027, September 28, 2027, October 28, 2027, November 28, 2027, December 28, 2027, January 28, 2028, February 28, 2028, March 28, 2028, April 28, 2028, May 28, 2028, June 28, 2028, July 28, 2028, August 28, 2028, September 28, 2028, October 28, 2028, November 28, 2028, December 28, 2028, January 28, 2029, February 28, 2029, March 28, 2029, April 28, 2029, May 28, 2029, June 28, 2029, July 28, 2029, August 28, 2029, September 28, 2029, October 28, 2029, November 28, 2029, December 28, 2029 and January 28, 2030 |
Coupon payment dates: | As set forth under “Coupon Payment Dates” below. If any coupon payment date is not a business day, the coupon payment with respect to such date will be made on the next succeeding business day and no adjustment will be made to the coupon payment made on that succeeding business day. The coupon payment with respect to the final interest period shall be made on the maturity date. |
Initial level: | 1,005.32, which is the closing level of the underlier on the strike date |
Final level: | The closing level of the underlier on the observation date |
Performance factor: | final level / initial level |
CUSIP: | 61778CHK4 |
ISIN: | US61778CHK45 |
Listing: | The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. |
Coupon Payment Dates |
March 28, 2025 |
April 28, 2025 |
May 28, 2025 |
June 28, 2025 |
July 28, 2025 |
August 28, 2025 |
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
Coupon Payment Dates |
September 28, 2025 |
October 28, 2025 |
November 28, 2025 |
December 28, 2025 |
January 28, 2026 |
February 28, 2026 |
March 28, 2026 |
April 28, 2026 |
May 28, 2026 |
June 28, 2026 |
July 28, 2026 |
August 28, 2026 |
September 28, 2026 |
October 28, 2026 |
November 28, 2026 |
December 28, 2026 |
January 28, 2027 |
February 28, 2027 |
March 28, 2027 |
April 28, 2027 |
May 28, 2027 |
June 28, 2027 |
July 28, 2027 |
August 28, 2027 |
September 28, 2027 |
October 28, 2027 |
November 28, 2027 |
December 28, 2027 |
January 28, 2028 |
February 28, 2028 |
March 28, 2028 |
April 28, 2028 |
May 28, 2028 |
June 28, 2028 |
July 28, 2028 |
August 28, 2028 |
September 28, 2028 |
October 28, 2028 |
November 28, 2028 |
December 28, 2028 |
January 28, 2029 |
February 28, 2029 |
March 28, 2029 |
April 28, 2029 |
May 28, 2029 |
June 28, 2029 |
July 28, 2029 |
August 28, 2029 |
September 28, 2029 |
October 28, 2029 |
November 28, 2029 |
December 28, 2029 |
January 28, 2030 |
February 28, 2030 (maturity date) |
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
Estimated Value of the Securities
The original issue price 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 is less than $1,000. Our estimate of the value of the securities as determined on the pricing date is set forth on the cover of this document.
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 underlier. The estimated value of the securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the underlier, instruments based on the underlier, 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, 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 underlier, 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, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market during the amortization period specified herein, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlier, 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.
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
Hypothetical Examples
The following hypothetical examples illustrate how to determine whether the securities will be automatically redeemed with respect to a redemption determination date and how to calculate the payment at maturity if the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only. You will receive a fixed coupon on each coupon payment date at the annual rate specified on the cover of this document, regardless of the performance of the underlier. Whether the securities are automatically redeemed prior to maturity will be determined by reference to the closing level of the underlier on each redemption determination date. The payment at maturity will be determined by reference to the closing level of the underlier on the observation date. The actual initial level, call threshold level and buffer level were determined on the strike date. All payments on the securities are subject to our credit risk. The numbers in the hypothetical examples below may have been rounded for ease of analysis. The below examples are based on the following terms:
Stated principal amount: | $1,000 per security |
Hypothetical initial level: | 100.00* |
Hypothetical call threshold level: | 100.00, which is 100% of the hypothetical initial level |
Hypothetical buffer level: | 85.00, which is 85% of the hypothetical initial level |
Buffer amount: | 15% |
Minimum payment at maturity: | 15% of the stated principal amount |
Fixed coupon: | 7.00% per annum (corresponding to approximately $5.833 per interest period per security). The actual fixed coupon will be an amount determined by the calculation agent based on the number of days in the applicable payment period, calculated on a 30/360 day-count basis. The hypothetical fixed coupon of $5.833 is used in these examples for ease of analysis. |
*The hypothetical initial level of 100.00 for the underlier has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual initial level of the underlier. Please see “Historical Information” below for historical data regarding the actual closing levels of the underlier.
How to determine whether the securities will be automatically redeemed with respect to a redemption determination date:
| Closing Level of the Underlier | Early Redemption Payment |
Hypothetical Redemption Determination Date #1 | 35.00 (less than the call threshold level) | N/A |
Hypothetical Redemption Determination Date #2 | 140.00 (greater than or equal to the call threshold level) | $1,000 + $5.833 (the stated principal amount + the fixed coupon with respect to the related interest period) |
On hypothetical redemption determination date #1, because the closing level of the underlier is less than the call threshold level, the securities are not automatically redeemed on the related early redemption date.
On hypothetical redemption determination date #2, because the closing level of the underlier is greater than or equal to the call threshold level, the securities are automatically redeemed on the related early redemption date for an early redemption payment equal to the stated principal amount plus the fixed coupon with respect to the related interest period. No further payments are made on the securities once they have been automatically redeemed.
If the closing level of the underlier is less than the call threshold level on each redemption determination date, the securities will not be automatically redeemed prior to maturity.
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
How to calculate the payment at maturity (if the securities have not been automatically redeemed):
The hypothetical examples below illustrate how to calculate the payment at maturity if the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity.
| Final Level | Payment at Maturity per Security (in addition to the fixed coupon of $5.833 with respect to the final interest period) |
Example #1 | 130.00 (greater than or equal to the buffer level) | $1,000 |
Example #2 | 30.00 (less than the buffer level) | $1,000 × (performance factor + buffer amount) = $1,000 × [(30.00 / 100.00) + 15%] = $450.00 |
In example #1, the final level is greater than or equal to the buffer level. Therefore, investors receive at maturity, in addition to the fixed coupon with respect to the final interest period, the stated principal amount. Investors do not participate in any appreciation of the underlier.
In example #2, the final level is less than the buffer level. Therefore, investors receive at maturity, in addition to the fixed coupon with respect to the final interest period, a payment that reflects a loss of 1% of principal for each 1% decline in the level of the underlier beyond the buffer amount.
If the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final level is less than the buffer level, you will be exposed to the negative performance of the underlier beyond the buffer amount at maturity, and your payment at maturity will be less, and may be significantly less, than the stated principal amount.
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
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, index supplement and prospectus. We also urge you to consult with 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 provide for only the minimum payment at maturity. The terms of the securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that they provide for only the minimum payment at maturity. If the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final level is less than the buffer level, the payout at maturity will be, in addition to the fixed coupon with respect to the final interest period, an amount in cash that is less than the stated principal amount of each security, and you will lose an amount proportionate to the full decline in the level of the underlier over the term of the securities beyond the buffer amount. You could lose a significant portion of your initial investment in the securities.
￭Investors will not participate in any appreciation in the value of the underlier. Investors will not participate in any appreciation in the value of the underlier from the strike date to the observation date, and the return on the securities will be limited to the fixed coupons that are paid on the coupon payment dates until early redemption or maturity.
￭The securities are subject to early redemption risk. The term of your investment in the securities may be shortened due to the automatic early redemption feature of the securities. If the securities are automatically redeemed prior to maturity, you will receive no further payments on the securities, may be forced to invest in a lower interest rate environment and may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. However, under no circumstances will the securities be redeemed prior to the first redemption determination date.
￭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. We expect that generally the value of the underlier at any time will affect the value of the securities more than any other single factor. Other factors that may influence the value of the securities include:
othe volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in value) of the underlier;
ointerest and yield rates in the market;
ogeopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the underlier or equity markets generally;
othe availability of comparable instruments;
othe composition of the underlier and changes in the component securities of the underlier;
othe time remaining until the securities mature; and
oany actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads.
Some or all of these factors will influence the price that you will receive if you sell your securities prior to maturity. 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. 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 closing level of the underlier is at, below or not sufficiently above the buffer level, or if market interest rates rise.
You can review the historical closing levels of the underlier in the section of this document called “Historical Information.” You cannot predict the future performance of the underlier based on its historical performance. The value of the underlier may be, and has recently been, volatile, and we can give you no assurance that the volatility will lessen. There can be no assurance that the final level will be greater than or equal to the buffer level so that you do not suffer a loss on your initial investment in the securities.
￭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, and, therefore, you are subject to our credit risk. The securities are not guaranteed by any other entity. 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
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
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 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 original issue price reduce the economic terms of the securities, cause the estimated value of the securities 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 securities 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 securities in the original issue price 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, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market during the amortization period specified herein, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlier, 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 of the securities may 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. 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. 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 securities, 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 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. is willing to transact. If, at any time, MS & Co. 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.
￭As discussed in more detail in the accompanying product supplement, investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlier(s).
￭The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities are uncertain. There is no direct legal authority regarding the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of the securities, and significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain. Moreover, non-U.S. investors should note that persons having withholding responsibility in respect of the securities may withhold on any coupon paid to a non-U.S. investor, generally at a rate of 30%. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. You should review carefully the section entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” herein, in combination with the section entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement, and consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities.
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
Risks Relating to the Underlier(s)
￭Because your return on the securities will depend upon the performance of the underlier, the securities are subject to the following risks, as discussed in more detail in the accompanying index supplement. The accompanying index supplement refers to the underlier as the “Index.”
oNo assurance can be given that the investment strategy used to construct the Index will achieve its intended results or that the Index will be successful or will outperform any alternative index or strategy that might reference the Index Components.
oThe decrement of 4% per annum will adversely affect the performance of the Index in all cases, whether the Index appreciates or depreciates.
oThe Index is subject to risks associated with the use of significant leverage.
oThe Index may not be fully invested.
oThe Index was established on March 14, 2022 and therefore has very limited operating history.
oAs the Index is new and has very limited historical performance, any investment in the Index may involve greater risk than an investment in an index with longer actual historical performance and a proven track record.
oHigher future prices of the futures contract to which the Index is linked relative to its current prices may adversely affect the value of the Index and the value of instruments linked to the Index.
oSuspensions or disruptions of market trading in futures markets could adversely affect the price of instruments linked to the Index.
oLegal and regulatory changes could adversely affect the return on and value of your securities.
oThe E-mini Russell 2000 futures contracts are one of the Index Components and are subject to risks associated with small-capitalization companies.
oAdjustments to the Index could adversely affect the value of instruments linked to the Index.
Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest
In engaging in certain activities described below and as discussed in more detail in the accompanying product supplement, our affiliates may take actions that may adversely affect the value of and your return on the securities, and in so doing they will have no obligation to consider your interests as an investor in the securities.
￭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 make any determinations necessary to calculate any payment(s) on the securities. Moreover, certain determinations made by MS & Co., in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, which may adversely affect your return on the 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.
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
Historical Information
S&P® U.S. Equity Momentum 40% VT 4% Decrement Index Overview
Bloomberg Ticker Symbol: SPUMP40
The S&P® U.S. Equity Momentum 40% VT 4% Decrement Index is a rules-based, long-only index that was developed by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC, in coordination with Morgan Stanley, and was established on March 14, 2022. The underlying index publisher with respect to the S&P® U.S. Equity Momentum 40% VT 4% Decrement Index is S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC, or any successor thereof. The underlier employs a rules-based quantitative strategy that consists of a risk-adjusted, momentum-based, or trend following, approach to construct a portfolio composed of equity futures contracts. In addition, the strategy applies an overall volatility-targeting feature upon the resulting portfolio and is subject to a 4.0% per annum daily decrement. For additional information about the S&P® U.S. Equity Momentum 40% VT 4% Decrement Index, see the information set forth in the accompanying index supplement.
The inception date for the underlier was March 14, 2022. All information regarding the underlier prior to March 14, 2022 is a hypothetical retrospective simulation calculated by the underlying index publisher, using the same methodology as is currently employed for calculating the underlier based on historical data. A retrospective simulation means that no actual investment which allowed a tracking of the performance of the underlier existed at any time during the period of the retrospective simulation. Investors should be aware that no actual investment which allowed a tracking of the performance of the underlier was possible at any time prior to March 14, 2022. Such data must be considered illustrative only.
The closing level of the underlier on February 25, 2025 was 1,005.32. The following graph sets forth the hypothetical retrospective and daily closing levels of the underlier for the period noted below. No assurance can be given as to the closing level of the underlier at any time.
Underlier Daily Closing Levels January 1, 2020* to February 25, 2025 |
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*The red vertical line indicates March 14, 2022, which is the date on which the underlier was established. All information regarding the underlier prior to March 14, 2022 is a hypothetical retrospective simulation calculated by the underlying index publisher and must be considered illustrative only. |
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
Additional Terms of the Securities
Please read this information in conjunction with the terms on the cover of this document.
Additional Terms: | |
If the terms described herein are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying product supplement, index supplement or prospectus, the terms described herein shall control. | |
Denominations: | $1,000 per security and integral multiples thereof |
Day-count convention: | Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. |
Interest period: | The period from and including the original issue date (in the case of the first interest period) or the previous scheduled coupon payment date, as applicable, to but excluding the following scheduled coupon payment date, with no adjustment for any postponement thereof. |
Amortization period: | The 6-month period following the issue date |
Trustee: | The Bank of New York Mellon |
Calculation agent: | Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS & Co.”) |
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
Additional Information About the Securities
Additional Information: | |
Minimum ticketing size: | $1,000 / 1 security |
United States federal income tax considerations: | You should review carefully the section in the accompanying product supplement entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.” The following discussion, when read in combination with the section entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement, constitutes the full opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the securities. Generally, this discussion assumes that you purchased the securities for cash in the original issuance at the stated issue price and does not address other circumstances specific to you, including consequences that may arise due to any other investments relating to an underlier. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the effect any such circumstances may have on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your ownership of a security. Due to the lack of direct legal authority, there is substantial uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities. In the opinion of our counsel, which is based on current market conditions, it is reasonable to treat a security for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a put option (the “Put Option”) written by you with respect to the underlier(s), secured by a cash deposit equal to the stated principal amount of the security (the “Deposit”), as described in the section entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—Securities Treated as Put Options and Deposits” in the accompanying product supplement. There is uncertainty regarding this treatment, and the IRS or a court might not agree with it. A different tax treatment could be adverse to you. Under the treatment of a security as a Put Option and a Deposit, a portion of each coupon made with respect to the securities will be attributable to interest on the Deposit, and the remainder will represent premium attributable to your grant of the Put Option (“Put Premium”). Amounts treated as interest on the Deposit should be taxed as ordinary interest income, while the Put Premium should not be taken into account until retirement (including an early redemption) or an earlier taxable disposition. Pursuant to this treatment, set forth below are the portions of each coupon that we have determined should be treated as attributable to interest on the Deposit and to Put Premium: Coupon Rate per Annum Interest on Deposit per Annum Put Premium per Annum 7.00% 4.8712% 2.1288% We do not plan to request a ruling from 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 particular, there is a risk that a security could be characterized as a single debt instrument for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case the tax consequences of an investment in the securities could be different from those described herein and possibly adverse to certain investors. 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. Non-U.S. Holders. Assuming the treatment of a security as a Put Option and a Deposit is respected, subject to the discussions below and in the section of the accompanying product supplement entitled “United States Federal Tax Considerations,” if you are a Non-U.S. Holder of the securities, under current law you generally should not be subject to U.S. federal withholding or income tax in respect of any amount paid to you with respect to the securities, provided that (i) income in respect of the securities is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and (ii) you comply with the applicable certification requirements. As discussed under “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders—Dividend Equivalents under Section 871(m) of the Code” in the accompanying product supplement, Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% 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. The Treasury regulations, as modified by an IRS notice, exempt financial instruments issued prior to January 1, 2027 that do not have a “delta” of one. Based on certain representations made by us, our counsel is of the opinion that Section 871(m) should not apply |
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
to the securities with regard to Non-U.S. Holders. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. While we currently do not intend to withhold on payments on the securities to Non-U.S. Holders (subject to compliance with the applicable certification requirements and the discussion in the section entitled “FATCA” in the accompanying product supplement), in light of the uncertain treatment of the securities other persons having withholding responsibility in respect of the securities may treat some or all of each coupon payment on a security as subject to withholding tax at a rate of 30%. Moreover, it is possible that in the future we may determine that we should withhold at a rate of 30% on coupon payments on the securities. We will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to U.S. federal withholding taxes. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, as well as tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction. | |
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: | Selected dealers and their financial advisors will collectively receive from the agent, MS & Co., a fixed sales commission of $42.50 for each security they sell. MS & Co. is an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, and it and other affiliates of ours expect to make a profit by selling, structuring and, when applicable, hedging the securities. 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. |
Validity of the securities: | In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, as special counsel to MSFL and Morgan Stanley, when the securities 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 securities 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 securities 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 26, 2024, which is Exhibit 5-a to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by Morgan Stanley on February 26, 2024. |
Where you can find more information: | Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the product supplement and the index supplement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the offering to which this communication relates. You should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the product supplement, the index supplement and any other documents relating to this offering that MSFL and Morgan Stanley have filed with the SEC for more complete information about Morgan Stanley and this offering. When you read the accompanying index 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 website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, MSFL, Morgan Stanley, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus, the index supplement and the product supplement if you so request by calling toll-free 1-(800)-584-6837. |
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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Fixed Income Buffered Auto-Callable Securities Principal at Risk Securities |
Terms used but not defined in this document are defined in the product supplement, in the index supplement or in the prospectus. Each of the product supplement, the index supplement and the prospectus can be accessed via the hyperlinks set forth on the cover of this document. |
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