June 2024
Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. 2,581
Registration Statement Nos. 333-275587; 333-275587-01
Dated June 11, 2024
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Structured Investments
Opportunities in U.S. and International Equities
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley
Principal at Risk Securities
The securities offered 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. The securities do not guarantee the repayment of principal and do not provide for the regular payment of interest. Instead, the securities will pay a contingent monthly coupon but only if the closing level of each of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF is at or above 65% of its respective initial level, which we refer to as the respective coupon threshold level, on the related observation date. However, if the closing level of any underlying is less than its coupon threshold level on any observation date, we will pay no interest for the related monthly period. In addition, the securities will be automatically redeemed if the closing level of each underlying is greater than or equal to its respective initial level on any monthly redemption determination date (beginning approximately six months after the original issue date), for the early redemption payment equal to the sum of the stated principal amount plus the related contingent monthly coupon. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed. At maturity, if the securities have not previously been redeemed and the final level of each underlying has remained greater than or equal to 65% of its respective initial level, which we refer to as the respective downside threshold level, on each index business day or each trading day, as applicable, from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date (the “observation period”), the payment at maturity will be the stated principal amount and the related contingent monthly coupon. If, however, the final level of any underlying is less than its respective downside threshold level on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, a trigger event will have occurred and investors will be fully exposed to the decline in the worst performing underlying on a 1-to-1 basis and, if the final level of any underlying is less than its initial level, investors will receive a payment at maturity that is less than the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero. Accordingly, investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing their entire initial investment and also the risk of not receiving any contingent monthly coupons throughout the 1.25-year term of the securities. Because all payments on the securities are based on the worst performing of the underlyings, a decline beyond the respective coupon threshold level or respective downside threshold level, as applicable, of any underlying will result in few or no contingent coupon payments and a potentially significant loss of your investment, even if one or both of the other underlyings have appreciated or have not declined as much. The securities are for investors who are willing to risk their principal based on the worst performing of three underlyings and who seek an opportunity to earn interest at a potentially above-market rate in exchange for the risk of receiving no monthly coupons over the entire 1.25-year term. Investors will not participate in any appreciation of any underlying. 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.
SUMMARY TERMS | ||||
Issuer: | Morgan Stanley Finance LLC | |||
Guarantor: | Morgan Stanley | |||
Underlyings: | Russell 2000® Index (the “RTY Index”), Nasdaq-100 Index® (the “NDX Index”) and VanEck® Gold Miners ETF (the “GDX Shares”) | |||
Aggregate principal amount: | $ | |||
Stated principal amount: | $1,000 per security | |||
Issue price: | $1,000 per security (see “Commissions and issue price” below) | |||
Pricing date: | June 13, 2024 | |||
Original issue date: | June 18, 2024 (3 business days after the pricing date) | |||
Maturity date: | September 18, 2025 | |||
Contingent monthly coupon: | A contingent coupon will be paid on the securities on each coupon payment date but only if the closing level of each underlying is at or above its respective coupon threshold level on the related observation date. If payable, the contingent monthly coupon will be an amount in cash per stated principal amount corresponding to a return of at least 15.70% per annum for each interest payment period for each applicable observation date. The actual contingent monthly coupon rate will be determined on the pricing date. If, on any observation date, the closing level of any underlying is less than its respective coupon threshold level, we will pay no coupon for the applicable monthly period. It is possible that any underlying will remain below its respective coupon threshold level for extended periods of time or even throughout the entire 1.25-year term of the securities so that you will receive few or no contingent monthly coupons. | |||
Trigger event: | A trigger event occurs if, on any index business day (with respect to the RTY Index and the NDX Index) or any trading day (with respect to the GDX Shares) from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date (the “observation period”), the closing level of an applicable underlying is less than its respective downside threshold level. If a trigger event occurs on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, you will be exposed to the downside performance of the worst performing underlying at maturity. | |||
Payment at maturity: | At maturity, investors will receive, in addition to the final contingent monthly coupon payment, if payable, a payment at maturity determined as follows: If a trigger event HAS NOT occurred on any index business day (with respect to the RTY Index and the NDX Index) or any trading day (with respect to the GDX Shares) from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date: the stated principal amount If a trigger event HAS occurred on any index business day (with respect to the RTY Index and the NDX Index) or any trading day (with respect to the GDX Shares) from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date: (i) the stated principal amount multiplied by (ii) the performance factor of the worst performing underlying, subject to a maximum payment at maturity of the stated principal amount. If a trigger event occurs and the final level of any underlying is less than its initial level, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero. Under no circumstances will investors participate in any appreciation of any underlying. | |||
| 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: | Approximately $990.90 per security, or within $25.00 of that estimate. See “Investment Summary” beginning on page 3. | |||
Commissions and issue price: | Price to public(1) | Agent’s commissions and fees(2) | Proceeds to us(3) | |
Per security | $1,000 | $ | $ | |
Total | $ | $ | $ | |
(1)The securities will be sold only to investors purchasing the securities in fee-based advisory accounts.
(2)MS & Co. expects to sell all of the securities that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated dealer at a price of $ per security, for further sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts at the price to public of $1,000 per security. MS & Co. will not receive a sales commission with respect to the securities. 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.
(3)See “Use of proceeds and hedging” on page 35.
The securities involve risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13.
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 product supplement and index supplement, please note that all references in such supplements 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.
As used in this document, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Morgan Stanley or MSFL, or Morgan Stanley and MSFL collectively, as the context requires.
Product Supplement for Auto-Callable Securities dated November 16, 2023 Index Supplement dated November 16, 2023
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Terms continued from previous page: | |
Early redemption: | The securities are not subject to automatic early redemption until six months after the original issue date. Following this 6-month initial non-call period, if, on any redemption determination date, beginning on December 13, 2024, the closing level of each underlying is greater than or equal to its respective initial level, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption payment on the related early redemption date. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed. The securities will not be redeemed early on any early redemption date if the closing level of any underlying is below the respective initial level for such underlying on the related redemption determination date. |
Early redemption payment: | The early redemption payment will be an amount equal to the stated principal amount for each security you hold plus the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the related observation date. |
Redemption determination dates: | Beginning after six months, monthly, beginning December 13, 2024, as set forth under “Observation Dates, Redemption Determination Dates, Coupon Payment Dates and Early Redemption Dates” below, subject to postponement for non-index business days and non-trading days, as applicable, and certain market disruption events. |
Early redemption dates: | Beginning after six months, monthly, beginning December 18, 2024. See “Observation Dates, Redemption Determination Dates, Coupon Payment Dates and Early Redemption Dates” below. If any such day is not a business day, that early redemption payment will be made on the next succeeding business day and no adjustment will be made to any early redemption payment made on that succeeding business day |
Downside threshold level: | With respect to the RTY Index: , which is 65% of its initial level With respect to the NDX Index: , which is 65% of its initial level With respect to the GDX Shares: $ , which is 65% of its initial level |
Coupon threshold level: | With respect to the RTY Index: , which is 65% of its initial level With respect to the NDX Index: , which is 65% of its initial level With respect to the GDX Shares: $ , which is 65% of its initial level |
Initial level: | With respect to the RTY Index: , which is its closing level on the pricing date With respect to the NDX Index: , which is its closing level on the pricing date With respect to the GDX Shares: $ , which is its closing level on the pricing date |
Final level: | With respect to each underlying, the respective closing level on the final observation date |
Closing level: | With respect to each of the RTY Index and the NDX Index, on any index business day, the respective index closing value on such day With respect to the GDX Shares, on any trading day, the closing price of one GDX Share on such day times the adjustment factor on such day |
Worst performing underlying: | The underlying with the largest percentage decrease from the respective initial level to the respective final level |
Performance factor: | Final level divided by the initial level |
Coupon payment dates: | Monthly, beginning July 18, 2024, as set forth under “Observation Dates, Redemption Determination Dates, Coupon Payment Dates and Early Redemption Dates” below; provided that if any such day is not a business day, that coupon payment will be made on the next succeeding business day and no adjustment will be made to any coupon payment made on that succeeding business day. The contingent monthly coupon, if any, with respect to the final observation date will be paid on the maturity date |
Observation dates: | Monthly, as set forth under “Observation Dates, Redemption Determination Dates, Coupon Payment Dates and Early Redemption Dates” below, subject to postponement for non-index business days and non-trading days, as applicable, and certain market disruption events. We also refer to the observation date immediately prior to the scheduled maturity date as the final observation date. |
Adjustment factor: | With respect to the GDX Shares, 1.0, subject to adjustment in the event of certain events affecting the GDX Shares |
CUSIP / ISIN: | 61776MKY0 / US61776MKY02 |
Listing: | The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. |
Observation Dates, Redemption Determination Dates, Coupon Payment Dates and Early Redemption Dates
Observation Dates / Redemption Determination Dates | Coupon Payment Dates / Early Redemption Dates |
July 15, 2024* | July 18, 2024* |
August 13, 2024* | August 16, 2024* |
September 13, 2024* | September 18, 2024* |
October 14, 2024* | October 17, 2024* |
November 13, 2024* | November 18, 2024* |
December 13, 2024 | December 18, 2024 |
January 13, 2025 | January 16, 2025 |
February 13, 2025 | February 19, 2025 |
March 13, 2025 | March 18, 2025 |
April 14, 2025 | April 17, 2025 |
May 13, 2025 | May 16, 2025 |
June 13, 2025 | June 18, 2025 |
July 14, 2025 | July 17, 2025 |
August 13, 2025 | August 18, 2025 |
September 15, 2025 (final observation date) | September 18, 2025 (maturity date) |
*The securities are not subject to automatic early redemption until the sixth coupon payment date, which is December 18, 2024.
June 2024 Page 2
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Investment Summary
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities
Principal at Risk Securities
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF (the “securities”) do not provide for the regular payment of interest. Instead, the securities will pay a contingent monthly coupon but only if the closing level of each underlying is at or above its respective coupon threshold level on the related observation date. However, if the closing level of any underlying is less than its respective coupon threshold level on any observation date, we will pay no interest for the related monthly period. If the closing level of any underlying is less than its respective coupon threshold level on each observation date, you will not receive any contingent monthly coupon for the entire 1.25-year term of the securities. We refer to these coupons as contingent, because there is no guarantee that you will receive a coupon payment on any coupon payment date. Even if each underlying were to be at or above its respective coupon threshold level on some monthly observation dates, they may not all close at or above their respective coupon threshold levels on other observation dates, in which case you will not receive some contingent monthly coupon payments. In addition, if the securities have not been automatically called prior to maturity and the final level of any underlying is less than its respective downside threshold level on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, a trigger event will have occurred and investors will be fully exposed to the decline in the worst performing underlying on a 1-to-1 basis and, if the final level of any underlying is less than its respective initial level, investors will receive a payment at maturity that is less than the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero. Investors will not participate in any appreciation of any underlying. Accordingly, investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing their entire initial investment and also the risk of not receiving any contingent monthly coupons throughout the entire 1.25-year term of the securities.
Maturity: | 1.25 years |
Contingent monthly coupon: | A contingent monthly coupon will be paid on the securities on each coupon payment date but only if the closing level of each underlying is at or above its respective coupon threshold level on the related observation date. If payable, the contingent monthly coupon will be an amount in cash per stated principal amount corresponding to a return of at least 15.70% per annum for each interest payment period for each applicable observation date. The actual contingent monthly coupon rate will be determined on the pricing date. If, on any observation date, the closing level of any underlying is less than the respective coupon threshold level, we will pay no coupon for the applicable monthly period. |
Automatic early redemption (beginning after six months): | If the closing level of each underlying is greater than or equal to its initial level on any monthly redemption determination date, beginning on December 13, 2024 (approximately six months after the original issue date), the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption payment equal to the stated principal amount plus the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the related observation date. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed. |
Trigger event: | A trigger event occurs if, on any index business day (with respect to the RTY Index and the NDX Index) or any trading day (with respect to the GDX Shares) from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date (the “observation period”), the closing level of an applicable underlying is less than its respective downside threshold level. If a trigger event occurs on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, you will be exposed to the downside performance of the worst performing underlying at maturity. |
Payment at maturity: | At maturity, investors will receive, in addition to the final contingent monthly coupon payment, if payable, a payment at maturity determined as follows: If a trigger event HAS NOT occurred on any index business day or any trading day from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation |
June 2024 Page 3
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
date, investors will receive at maturity the stated principal amount. If a trigger event HAS occurred on any index business day or any trading day from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date, investors will receive a payment at maturity equal to: (i) the stated principal amount multiplied by (ii) the performance factor of the worst performing underlying, subject to a maximum payment at maturity of the stated principal amount. If a trigger event occurs and the final level of any underlying is less than its initial level, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero. Accordingly, investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing their entire initial investment. Investors will not participate in any appreciation of any underlying. |
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 will be less than $1,000. We estimate that the value of each security on the pricing date will be approximately $990.90, or within $25.00 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the securities as determined on the pricing date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.
What goes into the estimated value on the pricing date?
In valuing the securities on the pricing date, we take into account that the securities comprise both a debt component and a performance-based component linked to the underlyings. The estimated value of the securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the underlyings, instruments based on the underlyings, volatility and other factors including current and expected interest rates, as well as an interest rate related to our secondary market credit spread, which is the implied interest rate at which our conventional fixed rate debt trades in the secondary market.
What determines the economic terms of the securities?
In determining the economic terms of the securities, including the contingent monthly coupon rate, the coupon threshold levels and the downside threshold levels, 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 underlyings, may vary from, and be lower than, the estimated value on the pricing date, because the secondary market price takes into account our secondary market credit spread as well as the bid-offer spread that MS & Co. would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type and other factors. However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlyings, 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.
June 2024 Page 4
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Key Investment Rationale
The securities do not provide for the regular payment of interest. Instead, the securities will pay a contingent monthly coupon but only if the closing level of each underlying is at or above its respective coupon threshold level on the related observation date. However, if the closing level of any underlying is less than its respective coupon threshold level on any observation date, we will pay no interest for the related monthly period. The securities have been designed for investors who are willing to forgo market floating interest rates and accept the risk of receiving no coupon payments for the entire 1.25-year term of the securities in exchange for an opportunity to earn interest at a potentially above-market rate if each underlying closes at or above its respective coupon threshold level on the monthly observation dates until the securities are redeemed early or reach maturity.
The following scenarios are for illustrative purposes only to demonstrate how the coupon and the payment at maturity (if the securities have not previously been redeemed) are calculated, and do not attempt to demonstrate every situation that may occur. Accordingly, the securities may or may not be redeemed, the contingent monthly coupon may be payable in none of, or some but not all of, the monthly periods during the 1.25-year term of the securities and the payment at maturity may be less than 65% of the stated principal amount of the securities and may be zero.
Scenario 1: The securities are redeemed prior to maturity | This scenario assumes that, prior to early redemption, each underlying closes at or above its coupon threshold level on some monthly observation dates, but one or more underlyings close below the respective coupon threshold level(s) on the others. Investors receive the contingent monthly coupon, corresponding to a return of at least 15.70% per annum, for the monthly periods for which each closing level is at or above the respective coupon threshold level on the related observation date, but not for the monthly periods for which any closing level is below the respective coupon threshold level on the related observation date. The actual contingent monthly coupon rate will be determined on the pricing date. Starting on December 13, 2024, when each underlying closes at or above its respective initial level on a monthly redemption determination date, the securities will be automatically redeemed for the stated principal amount plus the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the related observation date. |
Scenario 2: The securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, and investors receive principal back at maturity | This scenario assumes that a trigger event has not occurred, as each underlying has closed at or above the respective downside threshold level on each index business day or each trading day, as applicable, during the observation period. In addition, each underlying closes below the respective initial level on every monthly redemption determination date. Consequently, the securities are not automatically redeemed, and investors receive the contingent monthly coupon for each monthly period, as each underlying closing level was at or above the respective coupon threshold level on each observation date. Because a trigger event has not occurred on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, at maturity, investors will receive the stated principal amount and the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final observation date. |
June 2024 Page 5
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Scenario 3: The securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, a trigger event occurs on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period and investors suffer a loss of principal at maturity | This scenario assumes that each underlying closes at or above its respective coupon threshold level on some monthly observation dates, but one or more underlying close below the respective coupon threshold level(s) on the others, and each underlying closes below the respective initial level on every monthly redemption determination date. Consequently, the securities are not automatically redeemed and a trigger event will have occurred. Investors receive the contingent monthly coupon for the monthly periods for which each underlying closing level is at or above the respective coupon threshold level on the related observation date, but not for the monthly periods for which any underlying closing level is below the respective coupon threshold level on the related observation date. On the final observation date, one or more underlying close below the respective initial level(s). At maturity, investors will receive an amount equal to the stated principal amount multiplied by the performance factor of the worst performing underlying. Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount and could be zero. If a trigger event occurs on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, investors will have full downside exposure to the worst performing underlying at maturity. Under these circumstances, if the final level of any underlying is less than its respective initial level, investors will lose some or all of their investment in the securities. |
June 2024 Page 6
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
How the Securities Work
The following diagrams illustrate the potential outcomes for the securities depending on (1) the closing levels on each monthly observation date, (2) the closing levels on each monthly redemption determination date and (3) the final levels. Please see “Hypothetical Examples” beginning on page 9 for illustration of hypothetical payouts on the securities.
Diagram #1: Contingent Monthly Coupons (Beginning on the First Coupon Payment Date until Early Redemption or Maturity)
Diagram #2: Automatic Early Redemption (Beginning Approximately Six Months After the Original Issue Date)
June 2024 Page 7
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Diagram #3: Payment at Maturity if No Automatic Early Redemption Occurs
For more information about the payout upon an early redemption or at maturity in different hypothetical scenarios, see “Hypothetical Examples” starting on page 9.
June 2024 Page 8
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Hypothetical Examples
The following hypothetical examples illustrate how to determine whether a contingent monthly coupon is paid with respect to an observation date and how to calculate the payment at maturity, if any, if the securities have not been automatically redeemed early. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only. Whether you receive a contingent monthly coupon will be determined by reference to the closing level of each underlying on each monthly observation date, and the amount you will receive at maturity, if any, will be determined by reference to the closing level of each underlying throughout the observation period. The actual initial level, coupon threshold level and downside threshold level for each underlying will be determined on the pricing date. All payments on the securities, if any, are subject to our credit risk. The numbers in the hypothetical examples below may have been rounded for the ease of analysis. The below examples are based on the following terms:
Hypothetical Contingent Monthly Coupon: | A contingent monthly coupon will be paid on the securities on each coupon payment date but only if the closing level of each underlying is at or above its respective coupon threshold level on the related observation date. If payable, the contingent monthly coupon will be an amount in cash per stated principal amount corresponding to a return of at least 15.70% per annum (to be determined on the pricing date) for each interest payment period for each applicable observation date. These hypothetical examples reflect the hypothetical contingent monthly coupon rate of 15.70% per annum (corresponding to approximately $13.083 per month per security*). |
Automatic Early Redemption: | If the closing level of each underlying is greater than or equal to its respective initial level on any monthly redemption determination date (beginning approximately six months after the original issue date), the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption payment equal to the stated principal amount plus the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the related observation date. |
Trigger Event: | A trigger event occurs if, on any index business day (with respect to the RTY Index and the NDX Index) or any trading day (with respect to the GDX Shares) from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date (the “observation period”), the closing level of an applicable underlying is less than its respective downside threshold level. If a trigger event occurs on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, investors will be exposed to the downside performance of the worst performing underlying at maturity. |
Payment at Maturity (if the securities have not been automatically redeemed early): | At maturity, investors will receive, in addition to the final contingent monthly coupon payment, if payable, a payment at maturity determined as follows: If a trigger event HAS NOT occurred on any index business day or any trading day from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date: the stated principal amount If a trigger event HAS occurred on any index business day or any trading day from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date: (i) the stated principal amount multiplied by (ii) the performance factor of the worst performing underlying, subject to a maximum payment at maturity of the stated principal amount. If a trigger event occurs and the final level of any underlying is less than its initial level, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero. Under no circumstances will investors participate in any appreciation of any underlying. |
Stated Principal Amount: | $1,000 |
Hypothetical Initial Level: | With respect to the RTY Index: 1,200 With respect to the NDX Index: 15,000 With respect to the GDX Shares: $25.00 |
Hypothetical Coupon Threshold Level: | With respect to the RTY Index: 780, which is 65% of the hypothetical initial level for such underlying With respect to the NDX Index: 9,750, which is 65% of the hypothetical initial level for such underlying |
June 2024 Page 9
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
With respect to the GDX Shares: $16.25, which is 65% of the hypothetical initial level for such underlying | |
Hypothetical Downside Threshold Level: | With respect to the RTY Index: 780, which is 65% of the hypothetical initial level for such underlying With respect to the NDX Index: 9,750, which is 65% of the hypothetical initial level for such underlying With respect to the GDX Shares: $16.25, which is 65% of the hypothetical initial level for such underlying |
* The actual contingent monthly coupon will be an amount determined by the calculation agent based on the actual contingent monthly coupon rate and the number of days in the applicable payment period, calculated on a 30/360 basis. The hypothetical contingent monthly coupon of $13.083 is used in these examples for ease of analysis.
How to determine whether a contingent monthly coupon is payable with respect to an observation date:
| Closing Level | Contingent Monthly Coupon | ||||
| RTY Index | NDX Index | GDX Shares |
| ||
Hypothetical Observation Date 1 | 1,750 (at or above the coupon threshold level) | 17,500 (at or above the coupon threshold level) | $40.00 (at or above the coupon threshold level) | $13.083 | ||
Hypothetical Observation Date 2 | 600 (below the coupon threshold level) | 12,525 (at or above the coupon threshold level) | $35.00 (at or above the coupon threshold level) | $0 | ||
Hypothetical Observation Date 3 | 1,400 (at or above the coupon threshold level) | 7,950 (below the coupon threshold level) | $14.30 (below the coupon threshold level) | $0 | ||
Hypothetical Observation Date 4 | 700 (below the coupon threshold level) | 5,080 (below the coupon threshold level) | $9.00 (below the coupon threshold level) | $0 | ||
On hypothetical observation date 1, each underlying closes at or above its respective coupon threshold level. Therefore, a contingent monthly coupon of $13.083 is paid on the relevant coupon payment date.
On each of hypothetical observation dates 2 and 3, at least one underlying closes at or above its respective coupon threshold level, but one or both of the other underlyings close below their respective coupon threshold levels. Therefore, no contingent monthly coupon is paid on the relevant coupon payment date.
On hypothetical observation date 4, each underlying closes below its respective coupon threshold level, and, accordingly, no contingent monthly coupon is paid on the relevant coupon payment date.
If the closing level of any underlying is less than its respective coupon threshold level on each observation date, you will not receive any contingent monthly coupons for the entire 1.25-year term of the securities.
June 2024 Page 10
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
How to calculate the payment at maturity (if the securities have not been automatically redeemed):
Example 1: A trigger event HAS NOT occurred.
Final Level |
| RTY Index: 1,700 NDX Index: 16,000 |
|
| GDX Shares: $45.00
|
Payment at Maturity | = | $1,000.00 + $13.083 (contingent monthly coupon for the final monthly period) |
| = | $1,013.083 |
In example 1, the closing levels of the RTY Index and the NDX Index and the GDX Shares are all at or above their respective downside threshold levels on each index business day or each trading day, as applicable, during the observation period. Therefore, a trigger event has not occurred and investors receive at maturity the stated principal amount of the securities and the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final observation date. However, investors do not participate in any appreciation of any underlying index.
Example 2: A trigger event HAS occurred.
Final Level |
| RTY Index: 2,500 NDX Index: 12,000 GDX Shares: $36.00 |
|
|
|
Payment at Maturity | = | $13.083 (contingent monthly coupon for the final monthly period) + [$1,000 x performance factor of the worst performing underlying, subject to a maximum of the stated principal amount] |
| = | $13.083 + [$1,000 x (12,000 / 15,000)] |
| = | $813.083 |
In example 2, the closing levels of two underlying are at or above their respective downside threshold levels on each index business day or each trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, but the closing level of the other underlying is below its downside threshold level on one or more index business days or trading days during the observation period. The final levels of the RTY Index and the NDX Index and the GDX Shares are at or above the respective coupon threshold levels on the final observation date. However, because a trigger event has occurred, investors are exposed to the downside performance of the worst performing underlying at maturity, even though two of the underlying have appreciated. Because the final level of each underlying is greater than its respective coupon threshold level, investors receive the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final observation date. The payment at maturity is an amount equal to the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final observation date plus (i) the stated principal amount times (ii) the performance factor of the worst performing underlying.
Example 3: A trigger event HAS occurred.
Final Level |
| RTY Index: 600 |
|
| NDX Index: 9,000 |
|
| GDX Shares: $18.00
|
Payment at Maturity | = | $1,000 x index performance factor of the worst performing underlying index |
| = | $1,000 x (600 / 1,200) = $500 |
| = | $500 |
In example 3, the closing levels of the RTY Index and the NDX Index and the GDX Shares are all below the respective downside threshold levels on one or more index business days or trading days, as applicable, during the observation period. Therefore, a trigger event has occurred, and investors are exposed to the downside performance of the worst performing underlying at maturity. Because the final level(s) of one or more of the underlyings are below the respective coupon threshold level(s), investors do not
June 2024 Page 11
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
receive the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final observation date. The payment at maturity is an amount equal to the stated principal amount times the performance factor of the worst performing underlying.
If a trigger event occurs on any business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, investors will have full downside exposure to the worst performing underlying at maturity. Under these circumstances, if the final level of any underlying is less than its respective initial level, investors will lose some or all of their investment in the securities.
June 2024 Page 12
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
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 do not guarantee the return of any principal. The terms of the securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that they do not guarantee the repayment of any principal. If the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the closing level of any underlying is less than its respective downside threshold level on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, a trigger event will have occurred and you will be exposed to the decline in the closing value of the worst performing underlying, as compared to its initial value, on a 1-to-1 basis at maturity. If a trigger event occurs on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, investors will have full downside exposure to the worst performing underlying at maturity. Under these circumstances, if the final level of any underlying is less than its respective initial level, investors will lose some or all of their investment in the securities. In this case, you will receive for each security that you hold at maturity an amount equal to the stated principal amount times the performance factor of the worst performing underlying, subject to a maximum payment at maturity of the stated principal amount. In this case, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount and could be zero.
￭The securities do not provide for the regular payment of interest. The terms of the securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that they do not provide for the regular payment of interest. Instead, the securities will pay a contingent monthly coupon but only if the closing level of each underlying is at or above its respective coupon threshold level on the related observation date. If the closing level of any underlying is lower than its coupon threshold level on the relevant observation date for any interest period, we will pay no coupon on the applicable coupon payment date. Moreover, in such a case, a trigger event will necessarily have occurred, and you will have full downside exposure to the worst performing underlying at maturity. It is possible that the closing level of any underlying will be less than its respective coupon threshold level for extended periods of time or even throughout the entire term of the securities so that you will receive few or no contingent monthly coupons. If you do not earn sufficient contingent monthly coupons over the term of the securities, the overall return on the securities may be less than the amount that would be paid on a conventional debt security of ours of comparable maturity.
￭The contingent monthly coupon, if any, is based on the value of each underlying on only the related monthly observation date at the end of the related interest period. Whether the contingent monthly coupon will be paid on any coupon payment date will be determined at the end of the relevant interest period based on the closing level of each underlying on the relevant monthly observation date. As a result, you will not know whether you will receive the contingent monthly coupon on any coupon payment date until near the end of the relevant interest period. Moreover, because the contingent monthly coupon is based solely on the value of each underlying on monthly observation dates, if the closing level of any underlying on any observation date is below the coupon threshold level for such underlying, you will not receive the contingent monthly coupon for the related interest period, even if the level of such underlying was at or above its respective coupon threshold level on other days during that interest period, and even if the closing level(s) of one or both of the other underlyings are at or above their respective coupon threshold level(s).
￭Investors will not participate in any appreciation in any underlying. Regardless of whether or not a trigger event occurs, investors will not participate in any appreciation in any underlying from the initial level for such underlying, and the return on the securities will be limited to the contingent monthly coupons, if any, that are paid with respect to each observation date on which the closing level of each underlying is greater than or equal to its respective coupon threshold level, if any.
￭The market price will be influenced by many unpredictable factors. Several factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence the value of the securities in the secondary market and the price at which MS & Co. may be willing to purchase or sell the securities in the secondary market. We expect that generally the level of interest rates available
June 2024 Page 13
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
in the market and the value of each underlying on any index business day or any trading day, including in relation to its respective coupon threshold level, downside threshold level and initial level, will affect the value of the securities more than any other factors. Other factors that may influence the value of the securities include:
othe volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in value) of each underlying and of the stocks composing the RTY Index, the NDX Index and the share underlying index,
owhether a trigger event has occurred on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period,
owhether the closing level of any underlying has been below its respective coupon threshold level on any observation date,
ogeopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the component stocks of the RTY Index, the NDX Index and the share underlying index or securities markets generally and which may affect the value of each underlying,
odividend rates on the securities underlying the RTY Index, the NDX Index and the share underlying index,
othe time remaining until the securities mature,
ointerest and yield rates in the market,
othe availability of comparable instruments,
othe composition of the underlyings and changes in the constituent stocks of the RTY Index, the NDX Index and the share underlying index,
othe occurrence of certain events affecting the GDX Shares that may or may not require an adjustment to the adjustment factor,
othe exchange rates of the U.S. dollar relative to the currencies in which the stocks constituting the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index trade, 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. In particular, if any underlying has closed near or below its coupon threshold level and downside threshold level, the market value of the securities is expected to decrease substantially, and you may have to sell your securities at a substantial discount from the stated principal amount of $1,000 per security.
You cannot predict the future performance of any underlying based on its historical performance. The value of any underlying may decrease and be below the respective coupon threshold level for such underlying on each observation date so that you will receive no return on your investment, and any or all of the underlyings may close below the respective downside threshold level(s) on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period so that you are exposed to the negative performance of the worst performing underlying at maturity. There can be no assurance that the closing level of each underlying will be at or above the respective coupon threshold level on any observation date so that you will receive a coupon payment on the securities for the applicable interest period, or that it will be at or above its respective downside threshold level on each index business day or each trading day, as applicable, during the observation period so that you do not suffer a loss on your initial investment in the securities. See “Russell 2000® Index Overview,” “Nasdaq-100 Index® Overview” and “VanEck® Gold Miners ETF Overview” below.
￭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, upon early redemption or on any coupon payment date, 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,
June 2024 Page 14
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
the market value of the securities prior to maturity will be affected by changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness. Any actual or anticipated decline in our credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect the market value of the securities.
￭As a finance subsidiary, MSFL has no independent operations and will have no independent assets. As a finance subsidiary, MSFL has no independent operations beyond the issuance and administration of its securities and will have no independent assets available for distributions to holders of MSFL securities if they make claims in respect of such securities in a bankruptcy, resolution or similar proceeding. Accordingly, any recoveries by such holders will be limited to those available under the related guarantee by Morgan Stanley and that guarantee will rank pari passu with all other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of Morgan Stanley. Holders will have recourse only to a single claim against Morgan Stanley and its assets under the guarantee. Holders of securities issued by MSFL should accordingly assume that in any such proceedings they would not have any priority over and should be treated pari passu with the claims of other unsecured, unsubordinated creditors of Morgan Stanley, including holders of Morgan Stanley-issued securities.
￭Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlyings or the stocks composing the RTY Index, the NDX Index or the share underlying index. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in any of the underlyings or the component stocks of the RTY Index, the NDX Index or the share underlying index. Investors in the securities will not participate in any positive performance of any underlying, and will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to stocks that constitute the RTY Index, the NDX Index or the share underlying index.
￭Reinvestment 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 redeemed prior to maturity, you will receive no more contingent monthly coupons and 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 in the first six months of the term of the securities.
￭The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and secondary trading may be limited. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your securities for the entire 1.25-year term of the securities. 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.
￭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.
June 2024 Page 15
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
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, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlyings, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value, and we expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.
￭The estimated value of the securities is determined by reference to our pricing and valuation models, which may differ from those of other dealers and is not a maximum or minimum secondary market price. These pricing and valuation models are proprietary and rely in part on subjective views of certain market inputs and certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, because there is no market-standard way to value these types of securities, our models may yield a higher estimated value of the securities than those generated by others, including other dealers in the market, if they attempted to value the securities. In addition, the estimated value on the pricing date does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which dealers, including MS & Co., would be willing to purchase your securities in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your securities at any time after the date of this document will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including our creditworthiness and changes in market conditions. See also “The market price will be influenced by many unpredictable factors” above.
￭Hedging and trading activity by our affiliates could potentially affect the value of the securities. One or more of our affiliates and/or third-party dealers expect to carry out hedging activities related to the securities (and to other instruments linked to the underlyings and the share underlying index), including trading in the GDX Shares, the stocks that constitute the RTY Index, the NDX Index or the share underlying index as well as in other instruments related to the underlyings. As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the final observation date approaches. Some of our affiliates also trade the underlyings and other financial instruments related to the underlyings and the share underlying index on a regular basis as part of their general broker-dealer and other businesses. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the pricing date could potentially increase the initial level of an underlying, and, therefore, could increase (i) the level at or above which such underlying must close on any redemption determination date so that the securities are redeemed prior to maturity for the early redemption payment (depending also on the performance of the other underlyings), (ii) the level at or above which such underlying must close on each observation date in order for you to earn a contingent monthly coupon (depending also on the performance of the other underlyings) and (iii) the level at or above which such underlying must close on each index business day or each trading day, as applicable, during the observation period so that you are not exposed to the negative performance of the worst performing underlying at maturity (depending also on the performance of the other underlyings). Additionally, such hedging or trading activities during the term of the securities could affect the value of an underlying throughout the observation period, and, accordingly, whether we redeem the securities prior to maturity, whether we pay a contingent monthly coupon on the securities and the amount of cash you receive at maturity, if any (depending also on the performance of the other underlyings).
￭The calculation agent, which is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of MSFL, will make determinations with respect to the securities. As calculation agent, MS & Co. will determine the initial level, coupon threshold level and downside threshold level for each underlying, whether you receive a contingent monthly coupon on each coupon payment date and/or at maturity, whether the securities will be redeemed on any early redemption date, whether a trigger event has occurred and the payment at maturity, if any. Moreover, certain determinations made by MS & Co., in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, such as with respect to the occurrence or non-occurrence of market disruption events, any adjustments to the adjustment factor and the selection of a successor index or calculation of the closing level of any underlying in the event of a market disruption event or discontinuance of the RTY Index, the NDX Index or the share underlying index. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity, if any. For further information
June 2024 Page 16
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
regarding these types of determinations, see “Description of Auto-Callable Securities—Postponement of Determination Dates,” “—Alternate Exchange Calculation in Case of an Event of Default,” “—Discontinuance of Any Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation,” “Discontinuance of the Underlying Shares of an Exchange-Traded Fund and/or Share Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation,” “—Antidilution Adjustments” and “—Calculation Agent and Calculations” in the accompanying product supplement. In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date.
￭The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities are uncertain. There is no direct legal authority as to the proper treatment of the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and, therefore, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain.
Please read the discussion under “Additional Information—Tax considerations” in this document concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities. We intend to treat a security for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a single financial contract that provides for a coupon that will be treated as gross income to you at the time received or accrued, in accordance with your regular method of tax accounting. Under this treatment, the ordinary income treatment of the coupon payments, in conjunction with the capital loss treatment of any loss recognized upon the sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, could result in adverse tax consequences to holders of the securities because the deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding the tax treatment of the securities, and the IRS or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described herein. If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment for the securities, the timing and character of income or loss on the securities might differ significantly from the tax treatment described herein. For example, under one possible treatment, the IRS could seek to recharacterize the securities as debt instruments. In that event, U.S. Holders (as defined below) would be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the securities every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of issuance (as adjusted based on the difference, if any, between the actual and the projected amount of any contingent payments on the securities) and recognize all income and gain in respect of the securities as ordinary income. The risk that financial instruments providing for buffers, triggers or similar downside protection features, such as the securities, would be recharacterized as debt is greater than the risk of recharacterization for comparable financial instruments that do not have such features. Moreover, future legislation, Treasury regulations or IRS guidance could adversely affect the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly retroactively.
Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) should note that we currently intend to withhold on any coupon paid to Non-U.S. Holders generally at a rate of 30%, or at a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty under an “other income” or similar provision, and will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.
Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the 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.
Risks Relating to the Underlyings
￭You are exposed to the price risk of each underlying, with respect to both the contingent monthly coupons, if any, and the payment at maturity, if any. Your return on the securities is not linked to a basket consisting of the underlyings. Rather, it will be contingent upon the independent performance of each underlying. Unlike an instrument with a return linked to a basket of underlying assets, in which risk is mitigated and diversified among all the components of the basket, you will be exposed to the risks related to each underlying. Poor performance by any underlying over the term of the securities will negatively affect your return and will not be offset or mitigated by any positive performance by the other underlyings. To receive any contingent monthly coupons, each underlying must close at or above its respective coupon threshold level on the applicable observation date. In addition, if the securities have not been automatically redeemed early and any underlying has declined to below its respective downside threshold level on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, a trigger event will have occurred and you will be fully exposed to the decline in the worst performing underlying over the term of the securities
June 2024 Page 17
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
on a 1-to-1 basis, even if one or both of the other underlyings have appreciated or have not declined as much, and even if the worst performing underlying is not the underlying that originally caused the occurrence of the trigger event. Under this scenario, the value of any such payment will be less than the stated principal amount and could be zero. Accordingly, your investment is subject to the price risk of each underlying.
￭Because the securities are linked to the performance of the worst performing underlying, you are exposed to greater risks of receiving no contingent monthly coupons and sustaining a significant loss on your investment than if the securities were linked to just one underlying. The risk that you will not receive any contingent monthly coupons, or that you will suffer a loss on your investment, is greater if you invest in the securities as opposed to substantially similar securities that are linked to the performance of just one underlying. With three underlyings, it is more likely that any underlying will close below its coupon threshold level on any observation date, and below its downside threshold level on any index business day or any trading day, as applicable, during the observation period, which would constitute a trigger event, than if the securities were linked to only one underlying. Therefore, it is more likely that you will not receive any contingent monthly coupons and that you will suffer a significant loss on your investment. In addition, because each underlying must close above its initial level on a monthly redemption determination date in order for the securities to be called prior to maturity, the securities are less likely to be called on any early redemption date than if the securities were linked to just one underlying.
￭Adjustments to the RTY Index or the NDX Index could adversely affect the value of the securities. The publisher of each of the RTY Index or the NDX Index may add, delete or substitute the component stocks of such underlying or make other methodological changes that could change the value of such underlying. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of the securities. The publisher of each of the RTY Index or the NDX Index may also discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of such underlying at any time. In these circumstances, MS & Co., as the calculation agent, will have the sole discretion to substitute a successor index that is comparable to the discontinued index. MS & Co. could have an economic interest that is different than that of investors in the securities insofar as, for example, MS & Co. is permitted to consider indices that are calculated and published by MS & Co. or any of its affiliates. If MS & Co. determines that there is no appropriate successor index on any observation date, the determination of whether a contingent monthly coupon will be payable on the securities on the applicable coupon payment date, whether the securities will be redeemed and/or the amount payable at maturity, if any, will be based on the value of such underlying, based on the closing prices of the stocks constituting such underlying at the time of such discontinuance, without rebalancing or substitution, computed by MS & Co. as calculation agent in accordance with the formula for calculating such underlying last in effect prior to such discontinuance, as compared to the relevant initial level, coupon threshold level or downside threshold level, as applicable (depending also on the performance of the other underlyings).
￭The securities are linked to the Russell 2000® Index and are subject to risks associated with small-capitalization companies. As the Russell 2000® Index is one of the underlyings, and the Russell 2000® Index consists of stocks issued by companies with relatively small market capitalization, the securities are linked to the value of small-capitalization companies. These companies often have greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalization companies and therefore the Russell 2000® Index may be more volatile than indices that consist of stocks issued by large-capitalization companies. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than those of large-capitalization companies to adverse business and economic developments, and the stocks of small-capitalization companies may be thinly traded. In addition, small capitalization companies are typically less well-established and less stable financially than large-capitalization companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of personnel. Such companies tend to have smaller revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources and less competitive strengths than large-capitalization companies and are more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products.
￭Investing in the securities exposes investors to risks associated with investments in securities with a concentration in the gold and silver mining industry. The securities are subject to certain risks applicable to the gold and silver mining industry. The stocks included in the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index and that are generally tracked by the GDX Shares are stocks of companies primarily engaged in the mining of gold or silver. The underlying shares
June 2024 Page 18
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
may be subject to increased price volatility as they are linked to a single industry, market or sector and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that industry, market or sector.
Because the GDX Shares primarily invests in stocks, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) of companies that are involved in the gold mining industry, the underlying shares are subject to certain risks associated with such companies.
Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of companies in the gold mining industry. Also, gold mining companies are highly dependent on the price of gold. Gold prices are subject to volatile price movements over short periods of time and are affected by numerous factors. These include economic factors, including, among other things, the structure of and confidence in the global monetary system, expectations of the future rate of inflation, the relative strength of, and confidence in, the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the price of gold is generally quoted), interest rates and gold borrowing and lending rates, and global or regional economic, financial, political, regulatory, judicial or other events. Gold prices may also be affected by industry factors such as industrial and jewelry demand, lending, sales and purchases of gold by the official sector, including central banks and other governmental agencies and multilateral institutions which hold gold, levels of gold production and production costs, and short-term changes in supply and demand because of trading activities in the gold market.
The GDX Shares invests to a lesser extent in stocks, ADRs and GDRs of companies involved in the silver mining industry. Silver mining companies are highly dependent on the price of silver. Silver prices can fluctuate widely and may be affected by numerous factors. These include general economic trends, technical developments, substitution issues and regulation, as well as specific factors including industrial and jewelry demand, expectations with respect to the rate of inflation, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the price of silver is generally quoted) and other currencies, interest rates, central bank sales, forward sales by producers, global or regional political or economic events, and production costs and disruptions in major silver producing countries such as Mexico and Peru. The supply of silver consists of a combination of new mine production and existing stocks of bullion and fabricated silver held by governments, public and private financial institutions, industrial organizations and private individuals. In addition, the price of silver has on occasion been subject to very rapid short-term changes due to speculative activities. From time to time, above-ground inventories of silver may also influence the market. The major end-uses for silver include industrial applications, jewelry, photography and silverware.
￭There are risks associated with investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities. The price of the GDX Shares tracks the performance of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index, which measures the value of foreign equity securities. Investments in securities linked to the value of 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 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. 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 between countries.
￭The performance and market price of the GDX Shares, particularly during periods of market volatility, may not correlate with the performance of the share underlying index, the performance of the component securities of the share underlying index or the net asset value per share of the GDX Shares. The GDX Shares do not fully replicate the share underlying index and may hold securities that are different than those included in the share underlying index. In addition, the performance of the GDX Shares will reflect additional transaction costs and fees that are not included in the calculation of the share underlying index. All of these factors may lead to a lack of correlation
June 2024 Page 19
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
between the performance of GDX Shares and the share underlying index. In addition, corporate actions (such as mergers and spin-offs) with respect to the equity securities underlying the GDX Shares may impact the variance between the performances of GDX Shares and the share underlying index. Finally, because the shares of the GDX Shares are traded on an exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market price of one share of the GDX Shares may differ from the net asset value per share of the GDX Shares.
In particular, during periods of market volatility, or unusual trading activity, trading in the securities underlying the GDX Shares may be disrupted or limited, or such securities may be unavailable in the secondary market. Under these circumstances, the liquidity of the GDX Shares may be adversely affected, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the net asset value per share of the GDX Shares, and their ability to create and redeem shares of the GDX Shares may be disrupted. Under these circumstances, the market price of shares of the GDX Shares may vary substantially from the net asset value per share of the GDX Shares or the level of the share underlying index.
For all of the foregoing reasons, the performance of the GDX Shares may not correlate with the performance of the share underlying index, the performance of the component securities of the share underlying index or the net asset value per share of the GDX Shares. Any of these events could materially and adversely affect the price of the shares of the GDX Shares and, therefore, the value of the securities. Additionally, if market volatility or these events were to occur on the final observation 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 may affect the payment at maturity of the securities. If the calculation agent determines that no market disruption event has taken place, the payment at maturity would be based on the published closing price per share of the GDX Shares on the final observation date, even if the GDX Shares’ shares are underperforming the share underlying index or the component securities of the share underlying index and/or trading below the net asset value per share of the GDX Shares.
￭The securities are subject to currency exchange risk. Because the price of the GDX Shares tracks the performance of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index, holders of the securities will be exposed to 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 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 security. If, taking into account such weighting, the dollar strengthens against the currencies of the component securities represented in the share underlying index, the price of the GDX Shares will be adversely affected and the payment at maturity on the securities may be reduced.
Of particular importance to potential currency exchange risk are:
oexisting and expected rates of inflation;
oexisting and expected interest rate levels;
othe balance of payments between countries; and
othe extent of governmental surpluses or deficits in the countries represented in the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index 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 NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index and the United States and other countries important to international trade and finance.
￭The antidilution adjustments the calculation agent is required to make do not cover every event that could affect the GDX Shares. MS & Co., as calculation agent, will adjust the adjustment factor for certain events affecting the GDX Shares. However, the calculation agent will not make an adjustment for every event that could affect the GDX Shares. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to adjust the adjustment factor, the market price of the securities may be materially and adversely affected.
June 2024 Page 20
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
￭Adjustments to the GDX Shares or the share underlying index could adversely affect the value of the securities. The investment adviser to the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF, VanEck Associates Corporation (the “Investment Adviser”), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. Pursuant to its investment strategies or otherwise, the Investment Adviser may add, delete or substitute the securities composing the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF. Any of these actions could adversely affect the price of the GDX Shares and, consequently, the value of the securities. ICE Data Indices, LLC (“IDI”) is responsible for calculating and maintaining the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. IDI may add, delete or substitute the stocks constituting the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index or make other methodological changes that could change the level of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. IDI may discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index at any time. In these circumstances, the calculation agent will have the sole discretion to substitute a successor index that is comparable to the discontinued NYSE Arca Gold Miners 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 price of the GDX Shares and, consequently, the value of the securities.
June 2024 Page 21
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Russell 2000® Index Overview
The Russell 2000® Index is an index calculated, published and disseminated by FTSE International Limited (“FTSE Russell”), and measures the capitalization-weighted price performance of 2,000 U.S. small-capitalization stocks listed on eligible U.S. exchanges. The Russell 2000® Index is designed to track the performance of the small-capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. The companies included in the Russell 2000® Index are the middle 2,000 (i.e., those ranked 1,001 through 3,000) of the companies that form the Russell 3000E™ Index. The Russell 2000® Index represents approximately 7% of the U.S. equity market. For additional information about the Russell 2000® Index, see the information set forth under “Russell Indices—Russell 2000® Index” in the accompanying index supplement.
Information as of market close on June 10, 2024:
Bloomberg Ticker Symbol: | RTY | 52 Week High (on 3/28/2024): | 2,124.547 |
Current Index Value: | 2,031.614 | 52 Week Low (on 10/27/2023): | 1,636.938 |
52 Weeks Ago: | 1,873.214 |
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|
The following graph sets forth the daily index closing values of the RTY Index for the period from January 1, 2019 through June 10, 2024. The related table sets forth the published high and low index closing values, as well as end-of-quarter index closing values, of the RTY Index for each quarter for the period from January 1, 2019 through June 10, 2024. The index closing value of the RTY Index on June 10, 2024 was 2,031.614. We obtained the information in the graph and table below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The RTY Index has experienced periods of high volatility, and you should not take the historical values of the RTY Index as an indication of its future performance.
RTY Index Daily Index Closing Values January 1, 2019 to June 10, 2024 |
|
* The red solid line indicates both the downside threshold level and the coupon threshold level, each of which is 65% of the initial level. |
June 2024 Page 22
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Russell 2000® Index | High | Low | Period End |
2019 |
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|
|
First Quarter | 1,590.062 | 1,330.831 | 1,539.739 |
Second Quarter | 1,614.976 | 1,465.487 | 1,566.572 |
Third Quarter | 1,585.599 | 1,456.039 | 1,523.373 |
Fourth Quarter | 1,678.010 | 1,472.598 | 1,668.469 |
2020 |
|
|
|
First Quarter | 1,705.215 | 991.160 | 1,153.103 |
Second Quarter | 1,536.895 | 1,052.053 | 1,441.365 |
Third Quarter | 1,592.287 | 1,398.920 | 1,507.692 |
Fourth Quarter | 2,007.104 | 1,531.202 | 1,974.855 |
2021 |
|
|
|
First Quarter | 2,360.168 | 1,945.914 | 2,220.519 |
Second Quarter | 2,343.758 | 2,135.139 | 2,310.549 |
Third Quarter | 2,329.359 | 2,130.680 | 2,204.372 |
Fourth Quarter | 2,442.742 | 2,139.875 | 2,245.313 |
2022 |
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|
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First Quarter | 2,272.557 | 1,931.288 | 2,070.125 |
Second Quarter | 2,095.440 | 1,649.836 | 1,707.990 |
Third Quarter | 2,021.346 | 1,655.882 | 1,664.716 |
Fourth Quarter | 1,892.839 | 1,682.403 | 1,761.246 |
2023 |
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|
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First Quarter | 2,001.221 | 1,720.291 | 1,802.484 |
Second Quarter | 1,896.333 | 1,718.811 | 1,888.734 |
Third Quarter | 2,003.177 | 1,761.609 | 1,785.102 |
Fourth Quarter | 2,066.214 | 1,636.938 | 2,027.074 |
2024 |
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|
|
First Quarter | 2,124.547 | 1,913.166 | 2,124.547 |
Second Quarter (through June 10, 2024) | 2,109.459 | 1,942.958 | 2,031.614 |
“Russell 2000® Index” and “Russell 3000ETM Index” are trademarks of FTSE Russell. For more information, see “Russell Indices” in the accompanying index supplement.
June 2024 Page 23
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Nasdaq-100 Index® Overview
The Nasdaq-100 Index®, which is calculated, maintained and published by Nasdaq, Inc., is a modified capitalization-weighted index of 100 of the largest and most actively traded equity securities of non-financial companies listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Nasdaq”). The Nasdaq-100 Index® includes companies across a variety of major industry groups. At any moment in time, the value of the Nasdaq-100 Index® equals the aggregate value of the then-current Nasdaq-100 Index® share weights of each of the Nasdaq-100 Index® component securities, which are based on the total shares outstanding of each such Nasdaq-100 Index® component security, multiplied by each such security’s respective last sale price on the Nasdaq (which may be the official closing price published by the Nasdaq), and divided by a scaling factor, which becomes the basis for the reported Nasdaq-100 Index® value. For additional information about the Nasdaq-100 Index®, see the information set forth under “Nasdaq-100 Index®” in the accompanying index supplement.
Information as of market close on June 10, 2024:
Bloomberg Ticker Symbol: | NDX | 52 Week High (on 6/10/2024): | 19,074.67 |
Current Index Value: | 19,074.67 | 52 Week Low (on 10/26/2023): | 14,109.57 |
52 Weeks Ago: | 14,784.30 |
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The following graph sets forth the daily index closing values of the NDX Index for the period from January 1, 2019 through June 10, 2024. The related table sets forth the published high and low index closing values, as well as end-of-quarter index closing values, of the NDX Index for each quarter for the period from January 1, 2019 to June 10, 2024. The index closing value of the NDX Index on June 10, 2024 was 19,074.67. We obtained the information in the graph and table below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The NDX Index has at times experienced periods of high volatility, and you should not take the historical values of the NDX Index as an indication of its future performance.
NDX Index Daily Index Closing Values January 1, 2019 to June 10, 2024 |
|
* The red solid line indicates both the downside threshold level and the coupon threshold level, each of which is 65% of the initial level. |
June 2024 Page 24
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Nasdaq-100 Index® | High | Low | Period End |
2019 |
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|
|
First Quarter | 7,493.27 | 6,147.13 | 7,378.77 |
Second Quarter | 7,845.73 | 6,978.02 | 7,671.08 |
Third Quarter | 8,016.95 | 7,415.69 | 7,749.45 |
Fourth Quarter | 8,778.31 | 7,550.79 | 8,733.07 |
2020 |
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First Quarter | 9,718.73 | 6,994.29 | 7,813.50 |
Second Quarter | 10,209.82 | 7,486.29 | 10,156.85 |
Third Quarter | 12,420.54 | 10,279.25 | 11,418.06 |
Fourth Quarter | 12,888.28 | 11,052.95 | 12,888.28 |
2021 |
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First Quarter | 13,807.70 | 12,299.08 | 13,091.44 |
Second Quarter | 14,572.75 | 13,001.63 | 14,554.80 |
Third Quarter | 15,675.76 | 14,549.09 | 14,689.62 |
Fourth Quarter | 16,573.34 | 14,472.12 | 16,320.08 |
2022 |
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First Quarter | 16,501.77 | 13,046.64 | 14,838.49 |
Second Quarter | 15,159.58 | 11,127.57 | 11,503.72 |
Third Quarter | 13,667.18 | 10,971.22 | 10,971.22 |
Fourth Quarter | 12,041.89 | 10,679.34 | 10,939.76 |
2023 |
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First Quarter | 13,181.35 | 10,741.22 | 13,181.35 |
Second Quarter | 15,185.48 | 12,725.11 | 15,179.21 |
Third Quarter | 15,841.35 | 14,545.83 | 14,715.24 |
Fourth Quarter | 16,906.80 | 14,109.57 | 16,825.93 |
2024 |
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First Quarter | 18,339.44 | 16,282.01 | 18,254.69 |
Second Quarter (through June 10, 2024) | 19,074.67 | 17,037.65 | 19,074.67 |
“Nasdaq®,” “Nasdaq-100®” and “Nasdaq-100 Index®” are trademarks of Nasdaq, Inc. For more information, see “Nasdaq-100 Index®” in the accompanying index supplement.
June 2024 Page 25
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
VanEck® Gold Miners ETF Overview
The VanEck® Gold Miners ETF is an exchange-traded fund managed by VanEck, a registered investment company that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. VanEck® ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an investment portfolio managed by VanEck. Information provided to or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Trust pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 can be located by reference to Commission file numbers 333-123257 and 811-10325, respectively, through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information may be obtained from other publicly available sources. Neither the issuer nor the agent makes any representation that any such publicly available information regarding the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF is accurate or complete.
Information as of market close on June 10, 2024:
Bloomberg Ticker Symbol: | GDX | 52 Week High (on 5/20/2024): | $37.24 |
Current Share Price: | $34.03 | 52 Week Low (on 2/28/2024): | $25.78 |
52 Weeks Ago: | $31.24 |
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The following graph sets forth the daily closing prices of the GDX Shares for the period from January 1, 2019 through June 10, 2024. The related table sets forth the published high and low closing prices, as well as end-of-quarter closing prices, of the GDX Shares for each quarter for the period from January 1, 2019 through June 10, 2024. The closing price of the GDX Shares on June 10, 2024 was $34.03. We obtained the information in the graph and table below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The GDX Shares have experienced periods of high volatility, and you should not take the historical prices of the GDX Shares as an indication of their future performance.
GDX Shares Daily Index Closing Prices |
* The red solid line indicates both the downside threshold level and the coupon threshold level, each of which is 65% of the initial level. |
June 2024 Page 26
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
VanEck® Gold Miners ETF (CUSIP 92189F106) | High ($) | Low ($) | Period End ($) |
2019 |
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|
First Quarter | 23.36 | 20.31 | 22.42 |
Second Quarter | 26.17 | 20.17 | 25.56 |
Third Quarter | 30.95 | 24.58 | 26.71 |
Fourth Quarter | 29.49 | 26.19 | 29.28 |
2020 |
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|
First Quarter | 31.05 | 19.00 | 23.04 |
Second Quarter | 37.21 | 24.03 | 36.68 |
Third Quarter | 44.53 | 36.17 | 39.16 |
Fourth Quarter | 41.42 | 33.42 | 36.02 |
2021 |
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First Quarter | 38.51 | 30.90 | 32.50 |
Second Quarter | 39.68 | 33.60 | 33.98 |
Third Quarter | 35.09 | 28.91 | 29.47 |
Fourth Quarter | 34.90 | 29.33 | 32.03 |
2022 |
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First Quarter | 38.91 | 29.30 | 38.35 |
Second Quarter | 40.87 | 27.38 | 27.38 |
Third Quarter | 28.16 | 21.86 | 24.12 |
Fourth Quarter | 30.04 | 22.68 | 28.66 |
2023 |
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First Quarter | 33.27 | 26.68 | 32.35 |
Second Quarter | 35.87 | 29.22 | 30.11 |
Third Quarter | 32.63 | 26.91 | 26.91 |
Fourth Quarter | 31.98 | 25.91 | 31.01 |
2024 |
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First Quarter | 31.62 | 25.78 | 31.62 |
Second Quarter (through June 10, 2024) | 37.24 | 32.03 | 34.03 |
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the GDX Shares. We have derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding the Trust from the publicly available documents described above. In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Trust. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the Trust 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 GDX Shares (and therefore the price of the GDX Shares at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Trust could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
Neither we nor any of our affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the GDX Shares.
We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with the Trust. In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to the Trust, 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 GDX Shares. The statements in the preceding two sentences are not intended to affect the rights of investors in the securities under the securities laws. As a prospective purchaser of the securities, you should undertake an independent investigation of the Trust as in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment linked to the GDX Shares.
Market Vectors℠ is a service mark of Van Eck Associates Corporation (“Van Eck”). The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Van Eck. Van Eck makes no representations or warranties to the owners of the securities
June 2024 Page 27
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in the securities. Van Eck has no obligation or liability in connection with the operation, marketing, trading or sale of the securities.
NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. The NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index is a modified market capitalization weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining of gold and silver. The NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index includes common stocks, ADRs or GDRs of selected companies involved in the mining for gold and silver ore and are listed for trading and electronically quoted on a major stock market that is accessible by foreign investors. For additional information about the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index, please see the information set forth under “NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index” in the accompanying index supplement.
June 2024 Page 28
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Additional Terms of the Securities
Please read this information in conjunction with the terms on the front 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. | |
Underlying index publisher: | With respect to the RTY Index, FTSE Russell, or any successor thereof. With respect to the NDX Index, Nasdaq, Inc., or any successor thereof. |
Index closing value: | With respect to the RTY Index, the index closing value on any index business day shall be determined by the calculation agent and shall equal the closing value of the RTY Index or any successor index reported by Bloomberg Financial Services, or any successor reporting service the calculation agent may select, on such index business day. In certain circumstances, the index closing value for the RTY Index will be based on the alternate calculation of the RTY Index as described under “Discontinuance of Any Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” in the accompanying product supplement. The closing value of the RTY Index reported by Bloomberg Financial Services may be lower or higher than the official closing value of the RTY Index published by the underlying index publisher for the RTY Index.
With respect to the NDX Index, the index closing value on any index business day shall be determined by the calculation agent and shall equal the official closing value of the NDX Index, or any successor index as defined under “Discontinuance of Any Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” in the accompanying product supplement, published at the regular official weekday close of trading on such index business day by the underlying index publisher for the NDX Index, as determined by the calculation agent. In certain circumstances, the index closing value for the NDX Index will be based on the alternate calculation of the NDX Index as described under “Discontinuance of Any Underlying Index; Alteration of Method of Calculation” in the accompanying product supplement. |
Share underlying index: | NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index |
Share underlying index publisher: | ICE Data Indices, LLC or any successor thereof |
Interest period: | The monthly 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. |
Record date: | The record date for each coupon payment date shall be the date one business day prior to such scheduled coupon payment date; provided, however, that any coupon payable at maturity (or upon early redemption) shall be payable to the person to whom the payment at maturity or early redemption payment, as the case may be, shall be payable. |
Threshold level: | The accompanying product supplement refers to the threshold level as the “trigger level.” |
Day count convention: | Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. |
Postponement of coupon payment dates (including the maturity date) and early redemption dates: | If any observation date or redemption determination date is postponed due to a non-index business day or non-trading day, as applicable, or certain market disruption events so that it falls less than two business days prior to the relevant scheduled coupon payment date (including the maturity date) or early redemption date, as applicable, the coupon payment date (or the maturity date) or the early redemption date will be postponed to the second business day following that observation date or redemption determination date as postponed, and no adjustment will be made to any coupon payment or early redemption payment made on that postponed date. |
Denominations: | $1,000 per security and integral multiples thereof |
Trustee: | The Bank of New York Mellon |
Calculation agent: | MS & Co. |
Issuer notices to registered security holders, the trustee and the depositary: | In the event that the maturity date is postponed due to postponement of the final observation date, the issuer shall give notice of such postponement and, once it has been determined, of the date to which the maturity date has been rescheduled (i) to each registered holder of the securities by mailing notice of such postponement by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such registered holder’s last address as it shall appear upon the registry books, (ii) to the trustee by facsimile, confirmed by mailing such notice to the trustee by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its New York office and (iii) to The Depository Trust Company (the “depositary”) by |
June 2024 Page 29
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
telephone or facsimile confirmed by mailing such notice to the depositary by first class mail, postage prepaid. Any notice that is mailed to a registered holder of the securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given to such registered holder, whether or not such registered holder receives the notice. The issuer shall give such notice as promptly as possible, and in no case later than (i) with respect to notice of postponement of the maturity date, the business day immediately preceding the scheduled maturity date and (ii) with respect to notice of the date to which the maturity date has been rescheduled, the business day immediately following the final observation date as postponed.
In the event that the securities are subject to early redemption, the issuer shall, (i) on the business day following the applicable redemption determination date, give notice of the early redemption and the early redemption payment, including specifying the payment date of the amount due upon the early redemption, (x) to each registered holder of the securities by mailing notice of such early redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such registered holder’s last address as it shall appear upon the registry books, (y) to the trustee by facsimile confirmed by mailing such notice to the trustee by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its New York office and (z) to the depositary by telephone or facsimile confirmed by mailing such notice to the depositary by first class mail, postage prepaid, and (ii) on or prior to the early redemption date, deliver the aggregate cash amount due with respect to the securities to the trustee for delivery to the depositary, as holder of the securities. Any notice that is mailed to a registered holder of the securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given to such registered holder, whether or not such registered holder receives the notice. This notice shall be given by the issuer or, at the issuer’s request, by the trustee in the name and at the expense of the issuer, with any such request to be accompanied by a copy of the notice to be given.
The issuer shall, or shall cause the calculation agent to, (i) provide written notice to the trustee, on which notice the trustee may conclusively rely, and to the depositary of the amount of cash to be delivered as contingent monthly coupon, if any, with respect to each security on or prior to 10:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the business day preceding each coupon payment date, and (ii) deliver the aggregate cash amount due, if any, with respect to the contingent monthly coupon to the trustee for delivery to the depositary, as holder of the securities, on the applicable coupon payment date.
The issuer shall, or shall cause the calculation agent to, (i) provide written notice to the trustee, on which notice the trustee may conclusively rely, and to the depositary of the amount of cash, if any, to be delivered with respect to each stated principal amount of the securities, on or prior to 10:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the business day preceding the maturity date, and (ii) deliver the aggregate cash amount due with respect to the securities to the trustee for delivery to the depositary, if any, as holder of the securities, on the maturity date.
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June 2024 Page 30
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Additional Information About the Securities
Additional Information: | |
Minimum ticketing size: | $1,000 / 1 security |
Tax considerations: | Prospective investors should note that the discussion under the section called “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement does not apply to the securities issued under this document and is superseded by the following discussion. The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences and certain estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities. This discussion applies only to investors in the securities who:
●purchase the securities in the original offering; and ●hold the securities as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of the holder’s particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules, such as:
●certain financial institutions; ●insurance companies; ●dealers and certain traders in securities or commodities; ●investors holding the securities as part of a “straddle,” wash sale, conversion transaction, integrated transaction or constructive sale transaction; ●U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; ●partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes; ●regulated investment companies; ●real estate investment trusts; or ●tax-exempt entities, including “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs” as defined in Section 408 or 408A of the Code, respectively.
If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership holding the securities or a partner in such a partnership, you should consult your tax adviser as to the particular U.S. federal tax consequences of holding and disposing of the securities to you. As the law applicable to the U.S. federal income taxation of instruments such as the securities is technical and complex, the discussion below necessarily represents only a general summary. The effect of any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws is not discussed, nor are any alternative minimum tax consequences or consequences resulting from the Medicare tax on investment income. Moreover, the discussion below does not address the consequences to taxpayers subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code. This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof, changes to any of which subsequent to the date hereof may affect the tax consequences described herein. Persons considering the purchase of the securities should consult their tax advisers with regard to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction. General Due to the absence of statutory, judicial or administrative authorities that directly address the |
June 2024 Page 31
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
treatment of the securities or instruments that are similar to the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court will agree with the tax treatment described herein. We intend to treat a security for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a single financial contract that provides for a coupon that will be treated as gross income to you at the time received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of tax accounting. In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, this treatment of the securities is reasonable under current law; however, there are other reasonable treatments that the IRS or a court may adopt, in which case the timing and character of any income or loss on the securities could be materially affected. Moreover, our counsel’s opinion is based on market conditions as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement and is subject to confirmation on the pricing date. You should consult your tax adviser regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities (including possible alternative treatments of the securities). Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the treatment of each security as described in the previous paragraph. Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders This section applies to you only if you are a U.S. Holder. As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a security that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: ●a citizen or individual resident of the United States; ●a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or ●an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.
Tax Treatment of the Securities Assuming the treatment of the securities as set forth above is respected, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result.
Tax Basis. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities should equal the amount paid by the U.S. Holder to acquire the securities.
Tax Treatment of Coupon Payments. Any coupon payment on the securities should be taxable as ordinary income to a U.S. Holder at the time received or accrued, in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Sale, Exchange or Settlement of the Securities. Upon a sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, a U.S. Holder should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or settlement and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities sold, exchanged or settled. For this purpose, the amount realized does not include any coupon paid at settlement and may not include sale proceeds attributable to an accrued coupon, which may be treated in the same manner as a coupon payment. In general, any such gain or loss recognized should be short-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the securities for one year or less at the time of the sale, exchange or settlement, and should be long-term capital gain or loss otherwise. The ordinary income treatment of the coupon payments, in conjunction with the capital loss treatment of any loss recognized upon the sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, could result in adverse tax consequences to holders of the securities because the deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in the Securities Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper tax treatment of the securities, no assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or that a court will uphold, the treatment described above. In particular, the IRS could seek to analyze the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning the securities under Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments (the “Contingent Debt Regulations”). If the IRS were |
June 2024 Page 32
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
successful in asserting that the Contingent Debt Regulations applied to the securities, the timing and character of income thereon would be significantly affected. Among other things, a U.S. Holder would be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the securities every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of their issuance, adjusted upward or downward to reflect the difference, if any, between the actual and the projected amount of any contingent payments on the securities. Furthermore, any gain realized by a U.S. Holder at maturity or upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s prior accruals of original issue discount and as capital loss thereafter. The risk that financial instruments providing for buffers, triggers or similar downside protection features, such as the securities, would be recharacterized as debt is greater than the risk of recharacterization for comparable financial instruments that do not have such features. We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS regarding the treatment of the securities. Other alternative federal income tax treatments of the securities are possible, which, if applied, could significantly affect the timing and character of the income or loss with respect to the securities. In 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. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments and potential changes in applicable law. Backup Withholding and Information Reporting Backup withholding may apply in respect of payments on the securities and the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities, unless a U.S. Holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. The amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not an additional tax and may be refunded, or credited against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. In addition, information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on the securities and the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities, unless the U.S. Holder provides proof of an applicable exemption from the information reporting rules. Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders This section applies to you only if you are a Non-U.S. Holder. As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a security that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: ●an individual who is classified as a nonresident alien; ●a foreign corporation; or ●a foreign estate or trust. The term “Non-U.S. Holder” does not include any of the following holders: ●a holder who is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and who is not otherwise a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes; ●certain former citizens or residents of the United States; or ●a holder for whom income or gain in respect of the securities is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. Such holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities. |
June 2024 Page 33
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
Although significant aspects of the tax treatment of each security are uncertain, we intend to withhold on any coupon paid to a Non-U.S. Holder generally at a rate of 30% or at a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty under an “other income” or similar provision. We will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. In order to claim an exemption from, or a reduction in, the 30% withholding tax, a Non-U.S. Holder of the securities must comply with certification requirements to establish that it is not a U.S. person and is eligible for such an exemption or reduction under an applicable tax treaty. If you are a Non-U.S. Holder, you should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax treatment of the securities, including the possibility of obtaining a refund of any withholding tax and the certification requirement described above. Section 871(m) Withholding Tax on Dividend Equivalents Section 871(m) of the Code and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities (each, an “Underlying Security”). Subject to certain exceptions, Section 871(m) generally applies to securities that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more Underlying Securities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations (a “Specified Security”). However, pursuant to an IRS notice, Section 871(m) will not apply to securities issued before January 1, 2027 that do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security. Based on the terms of the securities and current market conditions, we expect that the securities will not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security on the pricing date. However, we will provide an updated determination in the pricing supplement. Assuming that the securities do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security, our counsel is of the opinion that the securities should not be Specified Securities and, therefore, should not be subject to Section 871(m). Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Section 871(m) is complex and its application may depend on your particular circumstances, including whether you enter into other transactions with respect to an Underlying Security. If Section 871(m) withholding is required, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the securities. U.S. Federal Estate Tax Individual Non-U.S. Holders and entities the property of which is potentially includible in such an individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers) should note that, absent an applicable treaty exemption, the securities may be treated as U.S.-situs property subject to U.S. federal estate tax. Prospective investors that are non-U.S. individuals, or are entities of the type described above, should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of an investment in the securities. Backup Withholding and Information Reporting Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with any coupon payment and may be filed with the IRS in connection with the payment at maturity on the securities and the payment of proceeds from a sale, exchange or other disposition. A Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding in respect of amounts paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, unless such Non-U.S. Holder complies with certification procedures to establish that it is not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise establishes an exemption. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the Non-U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. FATCA Legislation commonly referred to as “FATCA” generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on payments to certain non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries) with respect to certain |
June 2024 Page 34
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
financial instruments, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements have been satisfied. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the non-U.S. entity’s jurisdiction may modify these requirements. FATCA generally applies to certain financial instruments that are treated as paying U.S.-source interest or other U.S.-source “fixed or determinable annual or periodical” income (“FDAP income”). Withholding (if applicable) applies to payments of U.S.-source FDAP income and to payments of gross proceeds of the disposition (including upon retirement) of certain financial instruments treated as providing for U.S.-source interest or dividends. Under proposed regulations (the preamble to which specifies that taxpayers are permitted to rely on them pending finalization), no withholding will apply on payments of gross proceeds (other than amounts treated as FDAP income). While the treatment of the securities is unclear, you should assume that any coupon payment with respect to the securities will be subject to the FATCA rules. If withholding applies to the securities, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the potential application of FATCA to the securities. The discussion in the preceding paragraphs, insofar as it purports to describe provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitutes the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities. | |
Use of proceeds and hedging: | The proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used by us for general corporate purposes. We will receive, in aggregate, $1,000 per security issued, because, when we enter into hedging transactions in order to meet our obligations under the securities, our hedging counterparty will reimburse the cost of the agent’s commissions. The costs of the securities borne by you and described beginning on page 4 above comprise the agent’s commissions and the cost of issuing, structuring and hedging the securities. On or prior to the pricing date, we expect to hedge our anticipated exposure in connection with the securities by entering into hedging transactions with our affiliates and/or third-party dealers. We expect our hedging counterparties to take positions in the GDX Shares, in stocks constituting the RTY Index, the NDX Index or the share underlying index, in futures and/or options contracts on the GDX Shares, the RTY Index, the NDX Index, the share underlying index or their component stocks listed on major securities markets, or positions in any other available securities or instruments that they may wish to use in connection with such hedging. Such purchase activity could potentially increase the initial level of an underlying, and, as a result, could increase (i) the level at or above which such underlying must close on any redemption determination date so that the securities are redeemed prior to maturity for the early redemption payment (depending also on the performance of the other underlyings), (ii) the level at or above which such underlying must close on each observation date in order for you to earn a contingent monthly coupon (depending also on the performance of the other underlyings) and (iii) the level at or above which such underlying must close on each index business day or each trading day, as applicable, during the observation period so that you are not exposed to the negative performance of the worst performing underlying at maturity (depending also on the performance of the other underlyings). These entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the final observation date approaches. Additionally, our hedging activities, as well as our other trading activities, during the term of the securities could potentially affect the value of an underlying throughout the observation period, and, accordingly, whether we redeem the securities prior to maturity, whether we pay a contingent monthly coupon on the securities and the amount of cash you receive at maturity, if any (depending also on the performance of the other underlyings). |
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.
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Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest: | MS & Co. expects to sell all of the securities that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated dealer at a price of $ per security, for further sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts at the price to public of $1,000 per security. MS & Co. will not receive a sales commission with respect to the securities. |
June 2024 Page 35
Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due September 18, 2025, with 6-Month Initial Non-Call Period
All Payments on the Securities Based on the Worst Performing of the Russell 2000® Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index® and the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF
Principal at Risk Securities
MS & Co. is an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, and it and other affiliates of ours expect to make a profit by selling, structuring and, when applicable, hedging the securities. When MS & Co. prices this offering of securities, it will determine the economic terms of the securities, including the contingent monthly coupon rate, such that for each security the estimated value on the pricing date will be no lower than the minimum level described in “Investment Summary” beginning on page 3. MS & Co. will conduct this offering in compliance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., which is commonly referred to as FINRA, regarding a FINRA member firm’s distribution of the securities of an affiliate and related conflicts of interest. MS & Co. or any of our other affiliates may not make sales in this offering to any discretionary account. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement for auto-callable securities. | |
Where you can find more information: | Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the product supplement for auto-callable securities and the index supplement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for the offering to which this communication relates. You should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the product supplement for auto-callable securities, the index supplement and any other documents relating to this offering that Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed with the SEC for more complete information about Morgan Stanley, MSFL and this offering. When you read the accompanying product supplement and index supplement, please note that all references in such supplements to the prospectus dated November 16, 2023, or to any sections therein, should refer instead to the accompanying prospectus dated April 12, 2024 or to the corresponding sections of such prospectus, as applicable. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC web site at.www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Morgan Stanley, MSFL, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus, the product supplement for auto-callable securities and the index supplement if you so request by calling toll-free 1-(800)-584-6837. You may access these documents on the SEC web site at.www.sec.gov as follows: Product Supplement for Auto-Callable Securities dated November 16, 2023 Index Supplement dated November 16, 2023 Prospectus dated April 12, 2024 Terms used but not defined in this document are defined in the product supplement for auto-callable securities, in the index supplement or in the prospectus. |
June 2024 Page 36