If, on any of the three redemption determination dates, beginning on May 28, 2019, the index closing value of the underlying index is greater than or equal to the initial index value, 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 index closing value of the underlying index is below the initial index value on the related redemption determination date. 

A contingent coupon at an annual rate of 9.00% to 11.00% (corresponding to approximately $22.50 to $27.50 per quarter per security, to be determined on the pricing date) will be paid on the securities on each coupon payment date but only if the closing value of the underlying index is at or above the coupon barrier level on the related observation date. 

If, on any observation date, the closing value of the underlying index is less than the coupon barrier level, we will pay no coupon for the applicable quarterly period. It is possible that the underlying index will remain below the coupon barrier level for extended periods of time or even throughout the entire 1-year term of the securities so that you will receive few or no contingent quarterly coupons. 

At maturity, investors will receive, in addition to the final contingent quarterly coupon payment, if payable, a payment at maturity determined as follows: 

If a trigger event HAS NOT occurred on any index business 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 from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date: (i) the stated principal amount multiplied by (ii) the index performance factor, subject to a maximum payment at maturity of the stated principal amount.

If a trigger event occurs and the final index value of the underlying index is less than the initial index value, 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 the underlying index. 

At maturity, investors will receive, in addition to the final contingent quarterly coupon payment, if payable, a payment at maturity determined as follows:

If a trigger event HAS NOT occurred on any index business day from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date, investors will receive at maturity the stated principal amount.

If a trigger event HAS occurred on any index business 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 index performance factor, subject to a maximum payment at maturity of the stated principal 

amount.

If a trigger event occurs and the final index value of the underlying index is less than the initial index value, 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 the underlying index.

This scenario assumes that, prior to early redemption, the underlying index closes at or above the coupon barrier level on some quarterly observation dates, but the underlying index closes below the coupon barrier level on the others.  Investors receive the contingent quarterly coupon for the quarterly periods for which the index closing value is at or above the coupon barrier level on the related observation date, but not for the quarterly periods for which the index closing value is below the coupon barrier level on the related observation date.

Starting on May 28, 2019, when the underlying index closes at or above the initial index value on a quarterly redemption determination date, the securities will be automatically redeemed for the stated principal amount plus the contingent quarterly coupon with respect to the related observation date. 

This scenario assumes that the underlying index closes at or above the coupon barrier level on some quarterly observation dates, but below the coupon barrier level on the others, and the underlying index closes below the initial index value on every quarterly redemption determination date.  Consequently, the securities are not automatically redeemed and a trigger event will have occurred. Investors receive the contingent quarterly coupon for the quarterly periods for which the index closing value is at or above the coupon barrier level on the related observation date, but not for the quarterly periods for which the index closing value is below the coupon barrier level on the related observation date.  On the final observation date, the underlying index closes below the initial index value.  At maturity, investors will receive an amount equal to the stated principal amount multiplied by the index performance factor.  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 during the term of the securities, investors will have full downside exposure to the underlying index at maturity. Under these circumstances, if the final index value of the underlying index is less than the initial index value, investors will lose some or all of their investment in the securities. 

10.00% per annum (corresponding to approximately $25.00 per quarter per security, the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover of this document)*

With respect to each coupon payment date, a contingent quarterly coupon is paid but only if the index closing value of the underlying index is at or above the coupon barrier level on the related observation date. 

At maturity, investors will receive, in addition to the final contingent quarterly coupon payment, if payable, a payment at maturity determined as follows:

If a trigger event HAS NOT occurred on any index business 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 from but excluding the pricing date to and including the final observation date: (i) the stated principal amount multiplied by (ii) the index performance factor, subject to a maximum payment at maturity of the stated principal amount.

If a trigger event occurs and the final index value of the underlying index is less than the initial index value, 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 the underlying index. 

3,000

2,200

1,000

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 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 quarterly 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 quarterly 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 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, as holder of the securities, on the maturity date. 

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; 

·    certain dealers and 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 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, our counsel has advised us that it is unable to conclude affirmatively that this treatment is more likely than not to be upheld, and that alternative treatments are possible. 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 as a coupon payment. Any such gain or loss recognized should be short-term capital gain or loss. 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 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.  

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 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments.  The notice focuses on whether to require holders of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment.  It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange–traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” rule, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose an interest charge; and appropriate transition rules and effective dates.  While it is not clear whether instruments such as the securities would be viewed as similar to the prepaid forward contracts described in the notice, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect.  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 the issues presented by this notice.

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.

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, 2021 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 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 recently 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.  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. 

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 3 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 stocks constituting the underlying index, in futures and/or options contracts on the underlying index or the component stocks of the underlying index 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 index value, and, as a result, increase (i) the level at or above which the underlying index must close on any redemption determination date so that the securities are redeemed prior to maturity for the early redemption payment, (ii) the coupon barrier level, which is the level at or above which the underlying index must close on each observation date in order for you to earn a contingent quarterly coupon, and (iii) the downside threshold level, which is the level at or above which the underlying index must close on each index business day during the term of the securities so that you are not exposed to the negative performance of the underlying index at maturity.  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 the underlying index throughout the term of the securities, and, accordingly, whether we redeem the securities prior to maturity, whether we pay a contingent quarterly coupon on the securities and the amount of cash you receive at maturity, if any. 

Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) (a “Plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the Plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the securities.  Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the Plan.

In addition, we and certain of our affiliates, including MS & Co., may each be considered a “party in interest” within the meaning of ERISA, or a “disqualified person” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), with respect to many Plans, as well as many individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans (such accounts and plans, together with other plans, accounts and arrangements subject to Section 4975 of the Code, also “Plans”).  ERISA Section 406 and Code Section 4975 generally prohibit transactions between Plans and parties in interest or disqualified persons.  Prohibited transactions within the meaning of ERISA or the Code would likely arise, for example, if the securities are 

acquired by or with the assets of a Plan with respect to which MS & Co. or any of its affiliates is a service provider or other party in interest, unless the securities are acquired pursuant to an exemption from the “prohibited transaction” rules.  A violation of these “prohibited transaction” rules could result in an excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for those persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory or administrative exemption.

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued three prohibited transaction class exemptions (“PTCEs”) that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the purchase or holding of the securities.  Those class exemptions are PTCE 96-23 (for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), PTCE 95-60 (for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance company separate accounts) and PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers).  In addition, ERISA Section 408(b)(17) and Code Section 4975(d)(20) provide an exemption for the purchase and sale of securities and the related lending transactions, provided that neither the issuer of the securities nor any of its affiliates has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or renders any investment advice with respect to the assets of the Plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the Plan pays no more, and receives no less, than “adequate consideration” in connection with the transaction (the so-called “service provider” exemption).  There can be no assurance that any of these class or statutory exemptions will be available with respect to transactions involving the securities.

Because we may be considered a party in interest with respect to many Plans, the securities may not be purchased, held or disposed of by any Plan, any entity whose underlying assets include “plan assets” by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity (a “Plan Asset Entity”) or any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such purchase, holding or disposition is eligible for exemptive relief, including relief available under PTCEs 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1, 84-14 or the service provider exemption or such purchase, holding or disposition is otherwise not prohibited.  Any purchaser, including any fiduciary purchasing on behalf of a Plan, transferee or holder of the securities will be deemed to have represented, in its corporate and its fiduciary capacity, by its purchase and holding of the securities that either (a) it is not a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity and is not purchasing such securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan or with any assets of a governmental, non-U.S. or church plan that is subject to any federal, state, local or non-U.S. law that is substantially similar to the provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (“Similar Law”) or (b) its purchase, holding and disposition of these securities will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or violate any Similar Law.

Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan consult with their counsel regarding the availability of exemptive relief.

The securities are contractual financial instruments.  The financial exposure provided by the securities is not a substitute or proxy for, and is not intended as a substitute or proxy for, individualized investment management or advice for the benefit of any purchaser or holder of the securities.  The securities have not been designed and will not be administered in a manner intended to reflect the individualized needs and objectives of any purchaser or holder of the securities.

Each purchaser or holder of any securities acknowledges and agrees that:

(i)   the purchaser or holder or its fiduciary has made and shall make all investment decisions for the purchaser or holder and the purchaser or holder has not relied and shall not rely in any way upon us or our affiliates to act as a fiduciary or adviser of the purchaser or holder with respect to (A) the design and terms of the securities, (B) the purchaser or holder’s investment in the securities, or (C) the exercise of or failure to exercise any rights we have under or with respect to the securities;

(ii)  we and our affiliates have acted and will act solely for our own account in connection with (A) all transactions relating to the securities and (B) all hedging transactions in connection with our obligations under the securities; 

(iii)  any and all assets and positions relating to hedging transactions by us or our affiliates are assets and positions of those entities and are not assets and positions held for the benefit of the purchaser or holder;

(iv)  our interests are adverse to the interests of the purchaser or holder; and

(v)   neither we nor any of our affiliates is a fiduciary or adviser of the purchaser or holder in connection with any such assets, positions or transactions, and any information that we or any of our affiliates may provide is not intended to be impartial investment advice.

Each purchaser and holder of the securities has exclusive responsibility for ensuring that its purchase, holding and disposition of the securities do not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code or any Similar Law.  The sale of any securities to any Plan or plan subject to Similar Law is in no respect a representation by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by plans generally or any particular plan, or that such an investment is appropriate for plans generally or any particular plan. In this regard, neither this discussion nor anything provided in this document is or is intended to be investment advice directed at any potential Plan purchaser or at Plan purchasers generally and such purchasers of these securities should consult and rely on their own counsel and advisers as to whether an investment in these securities is suitable.

However, individual retirement accounts, individual retirement annuities and Keogh plans, as well as employee benefit plans that permit participants to direct the investment of their accounts, will not be permitted to purchase or hold the securities if the account, plan or annuity is for the benefit of an employee of Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or a family member and the employee receives any compensation (such as, for example, an addition to bonus) based on the purchase of the securities by the account, plan or annuity. 

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.

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 quarterly 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. 

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.  You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC web site at.www.sec.gov.  Alternatively, Morgan Stanley, MSFL or 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, 2017 

Index Supplement dated November 16, 2017 

Prospectus dated November 16, 2017

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.