424B2 1 ms9299_424b2-22501.htm PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 9,299

Pricing Supplement No. 9,299

Registration Statement Nos. 333-275587; 333-275587-01

Dated July 24, 2025

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Structured Investments

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature due July 29, 2027

Based on the Performance of the STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley

Principal at Risk Securities

The securities are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley Finance LLC (“MSFL”) and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley. The securities have the terms described in the accompanying product supplement and prospectus, as supplemented or modified by this document. The securities do not provide for the regular payment of interest.

Automatic early redemption. The securities will be automatically redeemed if the closing level of the underlier is greater than or equal to the call threshold level on the first determination date for the early redemption payment. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been automatically redeemed.

Payment at maturity. If the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final level is greater than the initial level, investors will receive the stated principal amount plus the upside payment. If the final level is equal to or less than the initial level but is greater than or equal to the buffer level, investors will receive only the stated principal amount at maturity. If, however, the final level is less than the buffer level, investors will lose 1% for every 1% decline in the level of the underlier beyond the specified buffer amount. Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less, and may be significantly less, than the stated principal amount of the securities, subject to the minimum payment at maturity.

The securities are for investors who are willing to risk their principal and forgo current income in exchange for the buffer feature and the possibility of receiving an early redemption payment or payment at maturity that exceeds the stated principal amount. Investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing a significant portion of their initial investment. The securities are notes issued as part of MSFL’s Series A Global Medium-Term Notes program.

All payments are subject to our credit risk. If we default on our obligations, you could lose some or all of your investment. These securities are not secured obligations and you will not have any security interest in, or otherwise have any access to, any underlying reference asset or assets.

FINAL TERMS

Issuer:

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Guarantor:

Morgan Stanley

Stated principal amount:

$1,000 per security

Issue price:

$1,000 per security (see “Commissions and issue price” below) 

Aggregate principal amount:

$1,000,000

Underlier:

STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index (the “underlying index”)

Strike date:

July 24, 2025

Pricing date:

July 24, 2025

Original issue date:

July 29, 2025

Final determination date:

July 26, 2027, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events

Maturity date:

July 29, 2027

 

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:

$980.60 per security. See “Estimated Value of the Securities” on page 3.

Commissions and issue price:

Price to public

Agent’s commissions and fees(1)(2)

Proceeds to us(3)

Per security

$1,000

$9

$991

Total

$1,000,000

$9,000

$991,000

(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 $991 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” in the accompanying product supplement.

The securities involve risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this document or the accompanying product supplement and prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The 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 and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below. Please also see “Additional Terms of the Securities” and “Additional Information About the Securities” at the end of this document.

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

Product Supplement for Principal at Risk Securities dated February 7, 2025   Prospectus dated April 12, 2024

 

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Terms continued from the previous page

Automatic early redemption:

If, on the first determination date, the closing level of the underlier is greater than or equal to the call threshold level, the securities will be automatically redeemed for the early redemption payment on the early redemption date. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been automatically redeemed.

First determination date:

July 31, 2026, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events

Call threshold level:

2,592.95, which is 100% of the initial level

Early redemption payment:

$1,151.00 per security

Early redemption date:

August 5, 2026

Payment at maturity per security:

If the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity, investors will receive a payment at maturity determined as follows:

If the final level is greater than the initial level:

stated principal amount + upside payment

If the final level is equal to or less than the initial level but is greater than or equal to the buffer level:

stated principal amount

If the final level is less than the buffer level:

stated principal amount × (performance factor + buffer amount)

Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less, and may be significantly less, than the stated principal amount, subject to the minimum payment at maturity.

Final level:

The closing level of the underlier on the final determination date

Initial level:

2,592.95, which is the closing level of the underlier on the strike date

Upside payment:

stated principal amount × participation rate × underlier percent change

Buffer level:

2,333.655, which is 90% of the initial level

Performance factor:

final level / initial level

Buffer amount:

10%

Minimum payment at maturity:

10% of the stated principal amount

Participation rate:

125%

Underlier percent change:

(final level – initial level) / initial level

CUSIP:

61778NLR0

ISIN:

US61778NLR07

Listing:

The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

 Page 2

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Estimated Value of the Securities

The original issue price of each security is $1,000. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date is less than $1,000. Our estimate of the value of the securities as determined on the pricing date is set forth on the cover of this document.

What goes into the estimated value on the pricing date?

In valuing the securities on the pricing date, we take into account that the securities comprise both a debt component and a performance-based component linked to the underlier. The estimated value of the securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the underlier, instruments based on the underlier, volatility and other factors including current and expected interest rates, as well as an interest rate related to our secondary market credit spread, which is the implied interest rate at which our conventional fixed rate debt trades in the secondary market.

What determines the economic terms of the securities?

In determining the economic terms of the securities, we use an internal funding rate, which is likely to be lower than our secondary market credit spreads and therefore advantageous to us. If the issuing, selling, structuring and hedging costs borne by you were lower or if the internal funding rate were higher, one or more of the economic terms of the securities would be more favorable to you.

What is the relationship between the estimated value on the pricing date and the secondary market price of the securities?

The price at which MS & Co. purchases the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlier, may vary from, and be lower than, the estimated value on the pricing date, because the secondary market price takes into account our secondary market credit spread as well as the bid-offer spread that MS & Co. would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type and other factors. However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market during the amortization period specified herein, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlier, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value. We expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.

MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the securities, and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time.

 

 Page 3

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Hypothetical Examples

The following hypothetical examples illustrate how to determine whether the securities will be automatically redeemed with respect to the first determination date and how to calculate the payment at maturity if the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only. Whether the securities are automatically redeemed prior to maturity will be determined by reference to the closing level of the underlier on the first determination date. The payment at maturity will be determined by reference to the closing level of the underlier on the final determination date. The actual initial level, call threshold level and buffer level were determined on the strike date. All payments on the securities are subject to our credit risk. The numbers in the hypothetical examples below may have been rounded for ease of analysis. The below examples are based on the following terms:

Stated principal amount:

$1,000 per security

Hypothetical initial level:

100.00*

Hypothetical call threshold level:

100.00, which is 100% of the hypothetical initial level

Hypothetical buffer level:

90.00, which is 90% of the hypothetical initial level

Buffer amount:

10%

Minimum payment at maturity:

10% of the stated principal amount

Early redemption payment:

$1,151.00 per security

Participation rate:

125%

*The hypothetical initial level of 100.00 for the underlier has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual initial level of the underlier. Please see “Historical Information” below for historical data regarding the actual closing levels of the underlier.

How to determine whether the securities will be automatically redeemed with respect to the first determination date:

 

Closing Level of the Underlier on the First Determination Date

Early Redemption Payment

Example #1

65.00 (less than the call threshold level)

N/A

Example #2

130.00 (greater than or equal to the call threshold level)

$1,151.00

In example #1, because the closing level of the underlier is less than the call threshold level on the first determination date, the securities are not automatically redeemed on the early redemption date.

In example #2, because the closing level of the underlier is greater than or equal to the call threshold level on the first determination date, the securities are automatically redeemed on the early redemption date for the early redemption payment. Investors do not participate in any appreciation of the underlier. No further payments are made on the securities once they have been automatically redeemed.

If the closing level of the underlier is less than the call threshold level on the first determination date, the securities will not be automatically redeemed prior to maturity.

 Page 4

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

How to calculate the payment at maturity (if the securities have not been automatically redeemed):

The hypothetical examples below illustrate how to calculate the payment at maturity if the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity.

 

Final Level

Payment at Maturity per Security

Example #1

120.00 (greater than the initial level)

stated principal amount + upside payment =

stated principal amount + (stated principal amount × participation rate × underlier percent change) =

$1,000 + ($1,000 × 125% × 20%) =

$1,250

Example #2

95.00 (equal to or less than the initial level but greater than or equal to the buffer level)

$1,000

Example #3

30.00 (less than the buffer level)

$1,000 × (performance factor + buffer amount) = $1,000 × [(30.00 / 100.00) + 10%] = $400.00

In example #1, the final level is greater than the initial level. Therefore, investors receive at maturity the stated principal amount plus 125% of the appreciation of the underlier over the term of the securities.

In example #2, the final level is equal to or less than the initial level but is greater than or equal to the buffer level. Therefore, investors receive at maturity the stated principal amount.

In example #3, the final level is less than the buffer level. Therefore, investors receive at maturity a payment that reflects a loss of 1% of principal for each 1% decline in the level of the underlier beyond the buffer amount.

If the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final level is less than the buffer level, you will be exposed to the negative performance of the underlier beyond the buffer amount at maturity, and your payment at maturity will be less, and may be significantly less, than the stated principal amount.

 Page 5

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

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 and prospectus. We also urge you to consult with your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers in connection with your investment in the securities.

Risks Relating to an Investment in the Securities

The securities provide for only the minimum payment at maturity and do not pay interest. The terms of the securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that they provide for only the minimum payment at maturity and do not pay interest. If the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final level is less than the buffer level, the payout at maturity will be an amount in cash that is less than the stated principal amount of each security, and you will lose an amount proportionate to the full decline in the level of the underlier over the term of the securities beyond the buffer amount. You could lose a significant portion of your initial investment in the securities.

If the securities are automatically redeemed prior to maturity, the appreciation potential of the securities is limited by the fixed early redemption payment specified for the first determination date. If the closing level of the underlier is greater than or equal to the call threshold level on the first determination date, the appreciation potential of the securities is limited by the fixed early redemption payment, and no further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed. If the securities are automatically redeemed prior to maturity, you will not participate in any appreciation of the underlier, which could be significant. The fixed early redemption payment may be less than the payment at maturity you would receive for the same level of appreciation of the underlier had the securities not been automatically redeemed and instead remained outstanding until maturity.

The securities are subject to early redemption risk. The term of your investment in the securities may be shortened due to the automatic early redemption feature of the securities. If the securities are automatically redeemed prior to maturity, you will receive no further payments on the securities, may be forced to invest in a lower interest rate environment and may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. However, under no circumstances will the securities be redeemed prior to the first determination date.

The market price of the securities may be influenced by many unpredictable factors. Several factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence the value of the securities in the secondary market and the price at which MS & Co. may be willing to purchase or sell the securities in the secondary market. We expect that generally the value of the underlier at any time will affect the value of the securities more than any other single factor. Other factors that may influence the value of the securities include:

othe volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in value) of the underlier;

ointerest and yield rates in the market;

ogeopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the underlier or equity markets generally;

othe availability of comparable instruments;

othe composition of the underlier and changes in the component securities of the underlier;

othe time remaining until the securities mature; and

oany actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads.

Some or all of these factors will influence the price that you will receive if you sell your securities prior to maturity. Generally, the longer the time remaining to maturity, the more the market price of the securities will be affected by the other factors described above. For example, you may have to sell your securities at a substantial discount from the stated principal amount if, at the time of sale, the closing level of the underlier is at, below or not sufficiently above the buffer level, or if market interest rates rise.

You can review the historical closing levels of the underlier in the section of this document called “Historical Information.” You cannot predict the future performance of the underlier based on its historical performance. The value of the underlier may be, and has recently been, volatile, and we can give you no assurance that the volatility will lessen. There can be no assurance that the closing level of the underlier will be greater than or equal to the call threshold level on the first determination date so that the securities will be automatically redeemed for the early redemption payment prior to maturity, or that the final level will be greater than or equal to the buffer level so that you do not suffer a loss on your initial investment in the securities.

The securities are subject to our credit risk, and any actual or anticipated changes to our credit ratings or credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the securities. You are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the securities, and, therefore, you are subject to our credit risk. The securities are not guaranteed by any other entity. If we default on our obligations under the securities, your investment would be at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment. As a result, the market value of the securities prior to maturity will be affected by changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness.

 Page 6

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

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.

The rate we are willing to pay for securities of this type, maturity and issuance size is likely to be lower than the rate implied by our secondary market credit spreads and advantageous to us. Both the lower rate and the inclusion of costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities in the original issue price reduce the economic terms of the securities, cause the estimated value of the securities to be less than the original issue price and will adversely affect secondary market prices. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the prices, if any, at which dealers, including MS & Co., may be willing to purchase the securities in secondary market transactions will likely be significantly lower than the original issue price, because secondary market prices will exclude the issuing, selling, structuring and hedging-related costs that are included in the original issue price and borne by you and because the secondary market prices will reflect our secondary market credit spreads and the bid-offer spread that any dealer would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type as well as other factors.

The inclusion of the costs of issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities in the original issue price and the lower rate we are willing to pay as issuer make the economic terms of the securities less favorable to you than they otherwise would be.

However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market during the amortization period specified herein, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlier, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value, and we expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.

The estimated value of the securities is determined by reference to our pricing and valuation models, which may differ from those of other dealers and is not a maximum or minimum secondary market price. These pricing and valuation models are proprietary and rely in part on subjective views of certain market inputs and certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, because there is no market-standard way to value these types of securities, our models may yield a higher estimated value of the securities than those generated by others, including other dealers in the market, if they attempted to value the securities. In addition, the estimated value on the pricing date does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which dealers, including MS & Co., would be willing to purchase your securities in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your securities at any time after the date of this document will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including our creditworthiness and changes in market conditions. See also “The market price of the securities may be influenced by many unpredictable factors” above.

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

As discussed in more detail in the accompanying product supplement, investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlier(s).

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities are uncertain. There is no direct legal authority regarding the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of the securities, and significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain. You should review carefully the section entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” herein, in combination with the section entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement, and consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

 Page 7

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Risks Relating to the Underlier(s)

Because your return on the securities will depend upon the performance of the underlier(s), the securities are subject to the following risk(s), as discussed in more detail in the accompanying product supplement.

oAdjustments to an underlying index could adversely affect the value of the securities.

oThere are risks associated with investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities.

oSecurities linked to certain underliers are subject to currency exchange risk.

The securities are subject to risks associated with investments in securities with a concentration in the aerospace and defense industry. The securities included in the STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index are securities of companies whose primary business is directly associated with the aerospace and defense industry. The aerospace and defense industry can be significantly affected by government regulation and spending policies because companies involved in this industry rely, to a significant extent, on government demand for their products and services. The financial condition of these companies is heavily influenced by government defense spending, which may be reduced in efforts to control government budgets. The aerospace industry in particular has recently been affected by adverse economic conditions and consolidation within the industry. The value of the securities may be likely to be more adversely affected by any negative performance of the aerospace and defense industry than a different investment linked to securities that include more diversified stocks across a number of sectors.

Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest

In engaging in certain activities described below and as discussed in more detail in the accompanying product supplement, our affiliates may take actions that may adversely affect the value of and your return on the securities, and in so doing they will have no obligation to consider your interests as an investor in the securities.

The calculation agent, which is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of MSFL, will make determinations with respect to the securities. As calculation agent, MS & Co. will make any determinations necessary to calculate any payment(s) on the securities. Moreover, certain determinations made by MS & Co., in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, which may adversely affect your return on the securities. In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date.

Hedging and trading activity by our affiliates could potentially adversely affect the value of the securities.

 Page 8

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Historical Information

STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index Overview

Bloomberg Ticker Symbol: SXPARO

The STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index is a free-float market capitalization weighted sector index which reflects exposure to the aerospace and defense sector according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (“ICB”). The underlying index publisher with respect to the STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index is STOXX® Limited, or any successor thereof. The STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index is a price-return index denominated in euro. Publication of the STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index is based on an initial STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index value of 100 as of December 31, 1991. For additional information about the STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index, see the information set forth under “Annex A— STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index” below.

The closing level of the underlier on July 24, 2025 was 2,592.95. The following graph sets forth the daily closing levels of the underlier for the period noted below. We obtained the historical information presented in this document from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The underlier has at times experienced periods of high volatility. You should not take the historical closing levels of the underlier as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the closing level of the underlier at any time.

Underlier Daily Closing Levels

January 1, 2020 to July 24, 2025

 Page 9

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Additional Terms of the Securities

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

Additional Terms:

If the terms described herein are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying product supplement or prospectus, the terms described herein shall control.

Denominations:

$1,000 per security and integral multiples thereof

Amortization period:

The 6-month period following the issue date

Trustee:

The Bank of New York Mellon

Calculation agent:

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS & Co.”)

 Page 10

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Additional Information About the Securities

Additional Information:

Minimum ticketing size:

$1,000 / 1 security

United States federal income tax considerations:

You should review carefully the section in the accompanying product supplement entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.” The following discussion, when read in combination with that section, constitutes the full opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the securities.

Generally, this discussion assumes that you purchased the securities for cash in the original issuance at the stated issue price and does not address other circumstances specific to you, including consequences that may arise due to any other investments relating to an underlier. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the effect any such circumstances may have on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your ownership of a security.

In the opinion of our counsel, which is based on current market conditions, it is reasonable to treat the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes as prepaid financial contracts that are “open transactions,” as described in the section entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—Securities Treated as Prepaid Financial Contracts that are Open Transactions” in the accompanying product supplement. There is uncertainty regarding this treatment, and the IRS or a court might not agree with it. A different tax treatment could be adverse to you. Generally, if this treatment is respected, (i) you should not recognize taxable income or loss prior to the taxable disposition of your securities (including upon maturity or an earlier redemption, if applicable) and (ii) the gain or loss on your securities should be treated as capital gain or loss.

We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS regarding the treatment of the securities. An alternative characterization of the securities could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the securities, including the timing and character of income recognized. In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have requested comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar financial instruments and have indicated that such transactions may be the subject of future regulations or other guidance. Furthermore, members of Congress have proposed legislative changes to the tax treatment of derivative contracts. Any legislation, Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect.

Non-U.S. Holders. As discussed under “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders—Dividend Equivalents under Section 871(m) of the Code” in the accompanying product supplement, Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities. The Treasury regulations, as modified by an IRS notice, exempt financial instruments issued prior to January 1, 2027 that do not have a “delta” of one. Based on certain representations made by us, our counsel is of the opinion that Section 871(m) should not apply to the securities with regard to Non-U.S. Holders. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination.

We will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to U.S. federal withholding taxes.

You should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, as well as tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

Additional considerations:

Client accounts over which Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or any of their respective subsidiaries have investment discretion are not permitted to purchase the securities, either directly or indirectly.

Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest:

MS & Co. expects to sell all of the securities that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated dealer at a price of $991 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.

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

 Page 11

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

“Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying product supplement.

Validity of the securities:

In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, as special counsel to MSFL and Morgan Stanley, when the securities offered by this pricing supplement have been executed and issued by MSFL, authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) and delivered against payment as contemplated herein, such securities will be valid and binding obligations of MSFL and the related guarantee will be a valid and binding obligation of Morgan Stanley, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith), provided that such counsel expresses no opinion as to (i) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above and (ii) any provision of the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture that purports to avoid the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law by limiting the amount of Morgan Stanley’s obligation under the related guarantee. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture and its authentication of the securities and the validity, binding nature and enforceability of the MSFL Senior Debt Indenture with respect to the trustee, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated February 26, 2024, which is Exhibit 5-a to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by Morgan Stanley on February 26, 2024.

Where you can find more information:

Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the product supplement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the offering to which this communication relates. You should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the product supplement and any other documents relating to this offering that MSFL and Morgan Stanley have filed with the SEC for more complete information about Morgan Stanley and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, MSFL, Morgan Stanley, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus and the product supplement if you so request by calling toll-free 1-(800)-584-6837.

Terms used but not defined in this document are defined in the product supplement or in the prospectus. Each of the product supplement and the prospectus can be accessed via the hyperlinks set forth on the cover of this document.

 

 Page 12

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

Annex A— STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index

The STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index (the “SXPARO Index,” or the “Index”) is a free-float market capitalization weighted sector index which reflects exposure to the aerospace and defense sector according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (“ICB”). The Index is a price-return index denominated in euro, calculated, maintained and published by STOXX® Limited.

 

The Index was created by STOXX® Limited, a part of Qontigo, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Börse AG. Publication of the Index is based on an initial index value of 100 at December 31, 1991. On March 1, 2010, STOXX Limited announced the removal of the “Dow Jones” prefix from all of its indices, including the Index. The Index is reported daily by Bloomberg L.P. under the symbol “SXPARO.”

 

Index Components

 

The components of the Index are derived from the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index (see “STOXX® Europe Total Market Index” below). Each company issuing the stock must also be categorized by the ICB under the Aerospace & Defense sector (ICB Sector Code: 502010) to be included in the Index. The Index components are reviewed each quarter together with the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index and are not subject to component weight restrictions or capping.

 

STOXX® Europe Total Market Index

 

The STOXX® Europe Total Market Index is a free-float market-capitalization weighted index composed of at least 95% of the free-float market capitalization traded on the major exchanges of 17 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The euro price return version of the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index is reported by Bloomberg L.P. under the ticker symbol “BKXP.”

 

Only common stocks and equities with similar characteristics from financial markets that provide reliable real-time, historical component and currency pricing, and reference and corporate actions data are eligible for inclusion in the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index. In addition, only listed companies on a regulated market on a major exchange as determined by STOXX are eligible to be included in the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index. Investment instruments (Industry Classification Benchmark: 8985 or 8995) and companies that were recently removed from the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index due to mergers and acquisition are not eligible for inclusion in the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index.

 

Each stock is uniquely assigned to a specific country and listing within the STOXX investable universe. The country classification and listing is based on the country of incorporation, the primary listing and the country with the largest trading volume. American and other depositary receipts (e.g. ADRs/GDRs) are assigned to the same country as the stock on which the receipt is issued. Each country is assigned to one or more regions. The STOXX® Europe Total Market Index is composed of stocks assigned to countries within the Europe region.

 

All stocks in the investable stock universe of each country included in STOXX® Europe Total Market Index are ranked in terms of their free-float market capitalization at the cut-off date to produce the review list. The largest companies in the investible universe of each country with a cumulative free-float market capitalization up to and including 93% of the investible universe of that country, qualify for inclusion in the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index. The stocks covering the next 2% of cumulative free-float market capitalization are selected among the largest remaining current components of the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index representing the portion of capitalization above 93% and up to and including 99%. If the country coverage is still below the defined threshold, then the largest remaining stocks are selected until the country coverage is reached.

 

No weighting cap factor is applied in calculating the STOXX® Europe Total Market Index.

 

Computation of the SXPARO Index

 

The Index is calculated with the “Laspeyres formula,” which measures the aggregate price changes in the component stocks against a fixed base quantity weight. The formula for calculating the value of the Index at any time can be expressed as follows:

 

 

 

 

Index value

=

free float market capitalization of the Index

divisor

 

The “free float market capitalization of the Index” is equal to the sum of the products of the price, number of shares, the free float factor, weighting cap factor and the exchange rate from the local currency into the Index currency for each component stock as of the time the Index is being calculated.

 

The free float factors and outstanding number of shares used to calculate the Index are reviewed, calculated and implemented on a quarterly basis and are fixed until the next quarterly review. Extraordinary adjustments may occur due to certain corporate actions. The timing of such adjustments depends on the magnitude of the change.

 

 Page 13

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

The Index is also subject to a divisor, which is adjusted to maintain the continuity of index values despite changes due to corporate actions. All corporate actions and dividends are implemented at the effective date (ex-date); i.e., with corporate actions where cash or other corporate assets are distributed to shareholders, the price of the stock will drop on the ex-date. The following is a summary of the adjustments to any component stock made for corporate actions and the effect of such adjustment on the divisor, where shareholders of the component stock will receive “B” number of shares for every “A” share held (where applicable). If the new shares have a dividend disadvantage -i.e., the new shares have a different dividend from that paid on the old shares - the price for these new shares will be adjusted according to the gross dividend amount. The divisor may increase, decrease or be held constant.

 

DIVISOR:

Decrease

A) Special Cash dividend

adjusted price = closing price − announced dividend * (1 − withholding tax if applicable)

DIVISOR:

Constant

B) Split and Reverse Split

adjusted price = closing price * A / B 

new number of shares = old number of shares * B / A

DIVISOR:

Increase

C) Rights Offering

If the subscription price is not available or equal to or greater than the closing price on the day before the effective date, then no adjustment is made.

In case the share increase is larger or equal to 100% (B / A ≥ 1) the adjustment of the shares and weightfactors are delayed until the new shares are listed.

adjusted price = (closing price * A + subscription price * B) / (A + B)

new number of shares = old number of shares * (A + B) / A

DIVISOR:

Constant

D) Stock Dividend

adjusted price = closing price * A / (A + B)

new number of shares = old number of shares * (A + B) / A

 

Decrease

E) Stock Dividend (from treasury stock)

If treated as regular cash dividend, not adjusted.

If treated as extraordinary dividend:

adjusted price = closing price – closing price * B / (A + B)

DIVISOR:

Decrease

F) Stock Dividend of a Different Company Security

adjusted price = (closing price * A − price of the different company security * B) / A

DIVISOR:

Decrease

G) Return of Capital and Share Consolidation

adjusted price = (closing price − capital return announced by company *

(1 − withholding tax)) * A / B

new number of shares = old number of shares * B / A

DIVISOR:

Decrease

H) Repurchase Shares-Self-Tender

adjusted price = ((price before tender * old number of shares) − (tender price * number of tendered shares)) / (old number of shares − number of tendered shares)

new number of shares = old number of shares − number of tendered shares

DIVISOR:

Decrease

I) Spinoff

adjusted price = (closing price * A − price of spun-off shares * B) / A

DIVISOR:

 

J) Combination Stock Distribution (Dividend or Split) and Rights Offering

Shareholders receive B new shares from the distribution and C new shares from the rights offering for every A shares held:

 

Increase

If rights are applicable after stock distribution (one action applicable to other)

adjusted price = [closing price * A + subscription price * C * (1 + B / A)] / [(A + B) * (1 + C / A)]

new number of shares = old number of shares * [(A + B) * (1 + C / A)] / A

 

Increase

If stock distribution is applicable after rights (one action applicable to other)

adjusted price = [closing price * A + subscription price * C] / [(A + C) * (1 + B / A)]

new number of shares = old number of shares * [(A + C) * (1 + B / A)]

 

Increase

 Stock distribution and rights (neither action is applicable to the other)

adjusted price = [closing price * A + subscription price * C] / [A + B + C]

new number of shares = old number of shares * [A + B + C] / A

DIVISOR:

 

K) Addition/Deletion of a Company

No price adjustments are made. The net change in market capitalization determines the divisor adjustment.

DIVISOR:

 

L) Free float and Share Changes

No price adjustments are made. The net change in market capitalization determines the divisor adjustment.

 

The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by STOXX® Limited. STOXX® Limited makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the securities particularly. The STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index is determined, composed and calculated by STOXX® Limited without regard to Morgan Stanley or the securities. STOXX® Limited has no obligation to take the needs of Morgan Stanley or the owners of the securities into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index. STOXX® Limited is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the securities to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation

 Page 14

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Jump Securities with Auto-Callable Feature

Principal at Risk Securities

 

by which the securities are to be converted into cash. STOXX® Limited has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the securities.

 

STOXX® LIMITED DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND STOXX® LIMITED SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. STOXX® LIMITED MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY MORGAN STANLEY, OWNERS OF THE SECURITIES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. STOXX® LIMITED MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE STOXX® Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL STOXX® LIMITED HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.

 

“STOXX®” is a registered trademark of STOXX® Limited. The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by STOXX® Limited, and STOXX® Limited makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the securities.

 Page 15