April 2024

Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. 1,977

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

Dated April 23, 2024

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Structured Investments 

Opportunities in Commodities and U.S. and International Equities

Market Linked Securities—Auto-Callable with Contingent Coupon and Contingent Downside 

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Lowest Performing of the iShares^® Silver Trust, the VanEck^® Gold Miners ETF and the Common Stock of ServiceNow, Inc. due April 29, 2027

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley 

The current estimated value of the securities is approximately $950.80 per security, or within $30.00 of that estimate. The estimated value of the securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the underlyings, instruments based on the underlyings, volatility and other factors including current and expected interest rates, as well as an interest rate related to our secondary market credit spread, which is the implied interest rate at which our conventional fixed rate debt trades in the secondary market. See “Estimated Value of the Securities” on page 4.

The securities have complex features and investing in the securities involves risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11. All payments on the securities are subject to our credit risk.

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

The securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality, nor are they obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank.

You should read this document together with the related product supplement for principal at risk securities, index supplement and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below. When you read the accompanying product supplement and index supplement, please note that all references in such supplements to the prospectus dated November 16, 2023, or to any sections therein, should refer instead to the accompanying prospectus dated April 12, 2024 or to the corresponding sections of such prospectus, as applicable. Please also see “Additional Information About the Securities” at the end of this document.

As used in this document, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Morgan Stanley or MSFL, or Morgan Stanley and MSFL collectively, as the context requires.

Prospectus dated April 12, 2024

The face amount of each security is $1,000. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date will be less than $1,000 per security. We estimate that the value of each security on the pricing date will be approximately $950.80, or within $30.00 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the securities as determined on the pricing date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.

What goes into the estimated value on the pricing date?

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

What determines the economic terms of the securities?

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

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

The price at which MS & Co. purchases the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlyings, may vary from, and be lower than, the estimated value on the pricing date, because the secondary market price takes into account our secondary market credit spread as well as the bid-offer spread that MS & Co. would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type and other factors. However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 3 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlyings, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value. We expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.

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

The Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Lowest Performing of the iShares^® Silver Trust, the VanEck^® Gold Miners ETF and the Common Stock of ServiceNow, Inc. due April 29, 2027 (the “securities”) may be appropriate for investors who:

The securities are not designed for, and may not be an appropriate investment for, investors who:

The considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the securities are an appropriate investment for you will depend on your individual circumstances, and you should reach an investment decision only after you and your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors have carefully considered the appropriateness of an investment in the securities in light of your particular circumstances. You should also review carefully the “Risk Factors” herein and in the accompanying product supplement for risks related to an investment in the securities. For more information about the underlyings, please see the sections titled “iShares^® Silver Trust Overview” “VanEck^® Gold Miners ETF Overview” and “ServiceNow, Inc. Overview” below.

If the securities have not been previously automatically called, on each quarterly contingent coupon payment date, you will either receive a contingent coupon payment or you will not receive a contingent coupon payment, depending on the closing price of the lowest performing underlying on the related quarterly calculation day.

Step 1: Determine which underlying is the lowest performing underlying on the relevant determination. The lowest performing underlying on any calculation day is the underlying with the lowest performance factor on that calculation day. The performance factor of an underlying on a calculation day is its closing price on that calculation day as a percentage of its starting price (i.e., its closing price on that calculation day divided by its starting price).

Step 2: Determine whether a contingent coupon payment is paid on the applicable contingent coupon payment date based on the closing price of the lowest performing underlying on the relevant calculation day, as follows:

On the maturity date, if the securities have not been automatically called prior to the maturity date, you will receive (in addition to the final contingent coupon payment, if any) a cash payment per security (the maturity payment amount) calculated as follows:

Step 1: Determine which underlying is the lowest performing underlying on the final calculation day. The lowest performing underlying on the final calculation day is the underlying with the lowest performance factor on the final calculation day. The performance factor of an underlying on the final calculation day is its closing price as a percentage of its starting price (i.e., its closing price on the final calculation day divided by its starting price).

Step 2: Calculate the maturity payment amount based on the closing price of the lowest performing underlying on the final calculation day, as follows:

The following hypothetical examples illustrate how to determine whether a contingent coupon payment is paid with respect to a calculation day and how to calculate the payment at maturity, if any, if the securities have not been automatically called. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only. Whether you receive a contingent coupon payment will be determined by reference to the closing price of each underlying on each calculation day, and the amount you will receive at maturity, if any, will be determined by reference to the closing price of each underlying on the final calculation day. The actual starting price, coupon threshold price and downside threshold price for each underlying and the actual contingent coupon rate will be determined on the pricing date. All payments on the securities, if any, are subject to our credit risk. The numbers in the hypothetical examples below may have been rounded for the ease of analysis. The below examples are based on the following terms*:

^* The hypothetical starting price of $100 for the underlyings has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual starting price of any underlying. The actual starting prices, coupon threshold prices and downside threshold prices will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth under “Terms” above. For historical data regarding the actual closing prices of the underlyings, see the historical information set forth herein.

**The actual contingent coupon payment will be an amount determined by the calculation agent based on the actual contingent coupon rate. The hypothetical contingent quarterly coupon of $35.00 is used in these examples for ease of analysis.

How to determine whether a contingent coupon payment is payable with respect to a calculation day:

On hypothetical calculation day 1, the closing price of each underlying is at or above the respective coupon threshold price. Therefore, a contingent coupon payment of $35.00 is paid on the relevant contingent coupon payment date.

On each of hypothetical calculation days 2 and 3, at least one underlying closes at or above its respective coupon threshold price, but one or both of the other underlyings close below their respective coupon threshold prices. Therefore, no contingent coupon payment is paid on the relevant contingent coupon payment date.

On hypothetical calculation day 4, each underlying closes below its respective coupon threshold price, and, accordingly no contingent quarterly coupon is paid on the relevant coupon payment date.

If the closing price of any underlying is less than its respective coupon threshold price on each calculation day, you will not receive any contingent coupon payments for the entire term of the securities.

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

Starting after one year, if the closing price of each underlying is greater than or equal to its starting price on any calculation day, the securities will be automatically called for a cash payment per security equal to the face amount plus a final contingent coupon payment.

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

In example 1, the closing price of each underlying on the final calculation day is at or above its respective downside threshold price and coupon threshold price. Therefore, investors receive at maturity a cash payment per security equal to the face amount of the securities, in addition to the final contingent coupon payment. Investors do not participate in any appreciation in any underlying.

In example 2, the closing prices of two of the underlyings on the final calculation day are at or above their downside threshold prices, but the closing price of the other underlying on the final calculation day is below its respective downside threshold price. Therefore, investors receive at maturity an amount equal to the face amount times the performance factor of the GDX Shares, which represent the lowest performing underlying in this example.

In example 3, the closing prices of two of the underlyings on the final calculation day are at or above their downside threshold prices and the closing price of the other underlying on the final calculation day is below its respective downside threshold price. Therefore, investors receive at maturity an amount equal to the face amount times the performance factor of the SLV Shares, which represent the lowest performing underlying in this example.

In example 4, the closing price of each underlying on the final calculation day is below its respective downside threshold price, and investors receive at maturity an amount equal to the face amount times the performance factor of the lowest performing underlying. Therefore, investors receive at maturity an amount equal to the face amount times the performance factor of the NOW Stock, which represent the lowest performing underlying in this example.

If the closing price of any underlying on the final calculation day is below its respective downside threshold price, you will be exposed to the downside performance of the lowest performing underlying at maturity, and your maturity payment amount will be less than 60% of the face amount per security and could be zero.

This section describes the material risks relating to the securities. For further discussion of these and other risks, you should read the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities, index supplement and prospectus. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers in connection with your investment in the securities.

Risks Relating to an Investment in the Securities

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. Some or all of these factors will influence the price that you will receive if you sell your securities prior to maturity. In particular, if any underlying has closed near or below its coupon threshold price, and especially if any underlying has closed near or below its downside threshold price, the market value of the securities is expected to decrease substantially, and you may have to sell your securities at a substantial discount from the face amount of your securities.

You cannot predict the future performance of any underlying based on its historical performance. The price of any underlying may decrease and be below the respective coupon threshold price for such underlying on each calculation day so that you will receive no return on your investment, and any or all of the underlyings may close below the respective downside threshold price(s) on the final calculation day so that you will lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment in the securities. There can be no assurance that the closing price of each underlying will be at or above the respective coupon threshold price on any calculation day so that you will receive a coupon payment on the securities for the applicable interest period, or that it will be at or above its respective downside threshold price on the final calculation day so that you do not suffer a significant loss on your initial investment in the securities. See “iShares^® Silver Trust Overview” “VanEck^® Gold Miners ETF Overview” and “ServiceNow, Inc. Overview” below.

claims of other unsecured, unsubordinated creditors of Morgan Stanley, including holders of Morgan Stanley-issued securities.

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

However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 3 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlyings, and to our secondary market credit spreads, it would do so based on values higher than the estimated value, and we expect that those higher values will also be reflected in your brokerage account statements.

securities. MS & Co. and WFS may, but are not obligated to, make a market in the securities and, if either of them once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time. When they do make a market, they will generally do so for transactions of routine secondary market size at prices based on their respective estimates of the current value of the securities, taking into account their respective bid/offer spreads, 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 they 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. or WFS is willing to transact. If, at any time, MS & Co. and WFS 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.

Please read the discussion under “Additional Information About the Securities—Tax considerations” in this document concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities. We intend to treat a security for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a single financial contract that provides for a coupon that will be treated as gross income to you at the time received or accrued, in accordance with your regular method of tax accounting. Under this treatment, the ordinary income treatment of the coupon payments, in conjunction with the capital loss treatment of any loss recognized upon the sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, could result in adverse tax consequences to holders of the securities because the deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding the tax treatment of the securities, and the IRS or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described herein. If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment for the securities, the timing and character of income or loss on the securities might differ significantly from the tax treatment described herein. For example, under one possible treatment, the IRS could seek to recharacterize the securities as debt instruments. In that event, U.S. Holders (as defined below) would be required to accrue into income original issue discount on the securities every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of issuance (as adjusted based on the difference, if any, between the actual and the projected amount of any contingent payments on the securities) and recognize all income and gain in respect of the securities as ordinary income. The risk that financial instruments providing for buffers, triggers or similar downside protection features, such as the securities, would be recharacterized as debt is greater than the risk of recharacterization for comparable financial instruments that do not have such features.

Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) should note that we currently intend to withhold on any coupon paid to Non-U.S. Holders generally at a rate of 30%, or at a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty under an “other income” or similar provision, and will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.

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. While it is not clear whether the securities would be viewed as similar to the prepaid forward contracts described in the notice, it is possible that 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. The notice focuses on a number of issues, the most relevant of which for holders of the securities are the character and timing of income or loss and the degree, if any, to which income realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax. Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, the issues presented by this notice and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

Risks Relating to the Underlyings

by any underlying over the term of the securities may negatively affect your return and will not be offset or mitigated by any positive performance by the other underlyings. To receive any contingent coupon payments, each underlying must close at or above its respective coupon threshold price on the applicable calculation day. In addition, if the securities have not been called and any underlying has declined to below its respective downside threshold price as of the final calculation day, you will be fully exposed to the decline in the lowest performing underlying over the term of the securities on a 1-to-1 basis, even if the other underlyings have appreciated or have not declined as much. Under this scenario, the value of any such maturity payment amount will be less than 60% of the face amount of your securities and could be zero. Accordingly, your investment is subject to the price risk of each underlying.

markets, and certain features of U.S. futures contracts are not present in the context of LBMA trading. For example, there are no daily price limits on the LBMA that would otherwise restrict fluctuations in the prices of LBMA contracts. In a declining market, it is possible that prices would continue to decline without limitation within a trading day or over a period of trading days. The LBMA may alter, discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of the LBMA silver price, which could adversely affect the value of the securities. The LBMA, or an independent service-provider appointed by the LBMA, will have no obligation to consider your interests in calculating or revising LBMA prices.

Because the GDX Shares primarily invests in stocks, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) of companies that are involved in the gold mining industry, the underlyings are subject to certain risks associated with such companies.

Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of companies in the gold mining industry. Also, gold mining companies are highly dependent on the price of gold. Gold prices are subject to volatile price movements over short periods of time and are affected by numerous factors. These include economic factors, including, among other things, the structure of and confidence in the global monetary system, expectations of the future rate of inflation, the relative strength of, and confidence in, the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the price of gold is generally quoted), interest rates and gold borrowing and lending rates, and global or regional economic, financial, political, regulatory, judicial or other events. Gold prices may also be affected by industry factors such as industrial and jewelry demand, lending, sales and purchases of gold by the official sector, including central banks and other governmental agencies and multilateral institutions which hold gold, levels of gold production and production costs, and short-term changes in supply and demand because of trading activities in the gold market.

The GDX Shares invests to a lesser extent in stocks, ADRs and GDRs of companies involved in the silver mining industry. Silver mining companies are highly dependent on the price of silver. Silver prices can fluctuate widely and may be affected by numerous factors. These include general economic trends, technical developments, substitution issues and regulation, as well as specific factors including industrial and jewelry demand, expectations with respect to the rate of inflation, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the price of silver is generally quoted) and other currencies, interest rates, central bank sales, forward sales by producers, global or regional political or economic events, and production costs and disruptions in major silver producing countries such as Mexico and Peru. The supply of silver consists of a combination of new mine production and existing stocks of bullion and fabricated silver held by governments, public and private financial institutions, industrial organizations and private individuals. In addition, the price of silver has on occasion been subject to very rapid short-term changes due to speculative activities. From time to time, above-ground inventories of silver may also influence the market. The major end-uses for silver include industrial applications, jewelry, photography and silverware.

With respect to the SLV Shares, the underlying does not fully replicate the performance of their underlying commodity due to the fees and expenses charged by the underlying or by restrictions on access to the underlying commodity due to other circumstances. The SLV Shares do not generate any income, and as the SLV Shares regularly sell their underlying commodity to pay for ongoing expenses, the amount of the underlying commodity represented by each share gradually declines over time. The SLV Shares sell the underlying commodity to pay expenses on an ongoing basis irrespective of whether the trading price of the shares rises or falls in response to changes in the price of the underlying commodity. The sale by the SLV Shares of the underlying commodity to pay expenses at a time of relatively low prices for the underlying commodity could adversely affect the value of the securities. Additionally, there is a risk that part or all of the holdings of the SLV Shares in the underlying commodity could be lost, damaged or stolen due to war, terrorism, theft, natural disaster or otherwise.

With respect to the GDX Shares, the performance of the underlying will reflect additional transaction costs and fees that are not included in the calculation of the share underlying index. All of these factors may lead to a lack of correlation

between the performance of the GDX Shares and the share underlying index. In addition, corporate actions (such as mergers and spin-offs) with respect to the securities underlying the GDX Shares may impact the variance between the performances of the GDX Shares and the share underlying index.

Additionally, because the shares of each of the underlyings are traded on an exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market price of one share of each of the underlying may differ from the net asset value per share of such underlying.

In particular, during periods of market volatility, or unusual trading activity, trading in the components underlying each of the underlyings may be disrupted or limited, or such components may be unavailable in the secondary market.  Under these circumstances, the liquidity of each underlying may be adversely affected, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the net asset value per share of each of the underlyings, and their ability to create and redeem shares of each of the underlyings may be disrupted. Under these circumstances, the market price of shares of each of the underlyings may vary substantially from the net asset value per share of each underlying share, the performance of the underlying commodity, with respect to the SLV Shares, or the level of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index, with respect to the GDX Shares.

For all of the foregoing reasons, the performance of the SLV Shares may not correlate with the performance of the underlying commodity and the performance of the GDX Shares may not correlate with the performance of the share underlying index or the component securities of the share underlying index, and the performance of each of the underlyings may not correlate with the performance of the net asset value per share of such underlying.  Any of these events could materially and adversely affect the prices of each of the underlyings and, therefore, the value of the securities. Additionally, if market volatility or these events were to occur on the final calculation day, the calculation agent would maintain discretion to determine whether such market volatility or events have caused a market disruption event to occur, and such determination would affect the payment at maturity of the securities.  If the calculation agent determines that no market disruption event has taken place, the payment at maturity would be based solely on the published closing price per share of each of the underlyings on the final calculation day, even if the SLV Shares are underperforming the underlying commodity, the GDX Shares are underperforming the share underlying index or the component securities of the share underlying index and/or any of the underlyings are trading below the net asset value per share of such underlyings.

underlyings. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to adjust an adjustment factor, the market price of the securities may be materially and adversely affected.

The iShares^® Silver Trust (the “Silver Trust”) is an investment trust sponsored by iShares^® Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC , which seeks to provide investment results that reflect the performance of the price of silver, less the iShares^® Silver Trust’s expenses and liabilities. The assets of the iShares^® Silver Trust consists primarily of silver held by a custodian on behalf of the iShares^® Silver Trust. Information provided to or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by the iShares^® Silver Trust pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 can be located by reference to Commission file number 001-32863 through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information may be obtained from other publicly available sources. Neither the issuer nor the agent makes any representation that any such publicly available information regarding the iShares^® Silver Trust is accurate or complete.

All information contained in this document regarding the Silver Trust has been derived from publicly available information, without independent verification. This information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, iShares^® Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, a subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., the sponsor of the Silver Trust. The Bank of New York Mellon is the trustee of the Silver Trust, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is the custodian of the Silver Trust. Shares of the Silver Trust trades under the ticker symbol “SLV” on NYSE Arca, Inc.

The Silver Trust seeks to reflect generally the performance of the price of silver, less the Silver Trust’s expenses and liabilities. The assets of the Silver Trust consist primarily of silver held by a custodian on behalf of the Silver Trust. The Silver Trust issues shares in exchange for deposits of silver and distributes silver in connection with the redemption of shares. The shares of the Silver Trust are intended to constitute a simple and cost-effective means of making an investment similar to an investment in silver.

The Silver Trust does not engage in any activity designed to derive a profit from changes in the price of silver. The Silver Trust’s only ordinary recurring expense is expected to be the sponsor’s fee, which accrues daily at an annualized rate equal to 0.50% of the net asset value of the Silver Trust and is payable monthly in arrears. The trustee of the Silver Trust will, when directed by the sponsor of the Silver Trust, and, in the absence of such direction, may in its discretion, sell silver in such quantity and at such times as may be necessary to permit payment of the Silver Trust sponsor’s fee and of Silver Trust expenses or liabilities not assumed by the sponsor. As a result of the recurring sales of silver necessary to pay the Silver Trust sponsor’s fee and the Silver Trust expenses or liabilities not assumed by the Silver Trust sponsor, the net asset value of the Silver Trust will decrease over time.

The following graph sets forth the daily closing prices of the SLV Shares for the period from January 1, 2019 through April 19, 2024. The closing price of the SLV Shares on April 19, 2024 was $26.20. We obtained the information in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets without independent verification. The SLV Shares have at times experienced periods of high volatility. You should not take the historical closing prices of the SLV Shares as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the closing price of the SLV Shares at any time, including on the calculation days.

Shares of the iShares® Silver Trust – Daily Closing Prices  January 1, 2019 to April 19, 2024

This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the SLV Shares. We have derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding the Silver Trust from the publicly available documents described above. In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Silver Trust. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the Silver Trust is accurate or complete. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of the SLV Shares (and therefore the price of the SLV Shares at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Silver Trust could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.

Neither we nor any of our affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the SLV Shares.

We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with the Silver Trust. In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to the Silver Trust, and neither we nor any of our affiliates undertakes to disclose any such information to you. In addition, one or more of our affiliates may publish research reports with respect to the SLV Shares. The statements in the preceding two sentences are not intended to affect the rights of investors in the securities under the securities laws. As a prospective purchaser of the securities, you should undertake an independent investigation of the Silver Trust as in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment linked to the SLV Shares.

The VanEck^® Gold Miners ETF is an exchange-traded fund managed by VanEck, a registered investment company that seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. VanEck^® ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an investment portfolio managed by VanEck. Information provided to or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Trust pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 can be located by reference to Commission file numbers 333-123257 and 811-10325, respectively, through the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information may be obtained from other publicly available sources. Neither the issuer nor the agent makes any representation that any such publicly available information regarding the VanEck^® Gold Miners ETF is accurate or complete.

The following graph sets forth the daily closing prices of the GDX Shares for the period from January 1, 2019 through April 19, 2024. The closing price of the GDX Shares on April 19, 2024 was $34.07. We obtained the information in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets without independent verification. The GDX Shares have at times experienced periods of high volatility. You should not take the historical closing prices of the GDX Shares as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the closing price of the GDX Shares at any time, including on the calculation days.

Shares of the VanEck® Gold Miners ETF – Daily Closing Prices January 1, 2019 to April 19, 2024

This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the GDX Shares.  We have derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding the Trust from the publicly available documents described above.  In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Trust.  Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the Trust is accurate or complete.  Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of the GDX Shares (and therefore the price of the GDX Shares at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed.  Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Trust could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.

Neither we nor any of our affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the GDX Shares.

We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with the Trust.  In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to the Trust, and neither we nor any of our affiliates undertakes to disclose any such information to you.  In addition, one or more of our affiliates may publish research reports with respect to the GDX Shares.  The statements in the preceding two sentences are not intended to affect the rights of investors in the

securities under the securities laws.  As a prospective purchaser of the securities, you should undertake an independent investigation of the Trust as in your judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment linked to the GDX Shares.

Market Vectors℠ is a service mark of Van Eck Associates Corporation (“Van Eck”). The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Van Eck. Van Eck makes no representations or warranties to the owners of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in the securities. Van Eck has no obligation or liability in connection with the operation, marketing, trading or sale of the securities.

NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index. The NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index is a modified market capitalization weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining of gold and silver. The NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index includes common stocks, American depositary receipts or global depositary receipts of selected companies involved in the mining for gold and silver ore and are listed for trading and electronically quoted on a major stock market that is accessible by foreign investors. For additional information about the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index, please see the information set forth under “NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index” in the accompanying index supplement.

ServiceNow, Inc. is a workflow automation platform. The NOW Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Microsoft Corporation pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the Securities and Exchange Commission file number 001-35580 through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding Microsoft Corporation may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. Neither the issuer nor the agent makes any representation that any such publicly available information regarding the common stock of ServiceNow, Inc. is accurate or complete.

The following graph sets forth the daily closing prices of the NOW Stock for the period from January 1, 2019 through April 19, 2024. The closing price of the NOW Stock on April 19, 2024 was $713.91. We obtained the information in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets without independent verification. The historical closing prices of the NOW Stock may have been adjusted for stock splits and other corporate events. The historical performance of the NOW Stock should not be taken as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the closing price of the NOW Stock at any time, including on the calculation days.

Common Stock of ServiceNow, Inc. – Daily Closing Prices January 1, 2019 to April 19, 2024

This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the NOW Stock or other securities of ServiceNow, Inc.  We have derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding the NOW Stock from the publicly available documents described above.  In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the NOW Stock.  Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the NOW Stock is accurate or complete.  Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of the NOW Stock (and therefore the price of the NOW Stock at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed.  Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the NOW Stock could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.

Neither we nor any of our affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the NOW Stock.

Minimum ticketing size

$1,000 / 1 security

Tax considerations

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.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

Assuming the treatment of the securities as set forth above is respected and subject to the discussion in “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result.

Tax Basis. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities should equal the amount paid by the U.S. Holder to acquire the securities.

Tax Treatment of Coupon Payments. Any coupon payment on the securities should be taxable as ordinary income to a U.S. Holder at the time received or accrued, in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Sale, Exchange or Settlement of the Securities. Upon a sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, a U.S. Holder should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or settlement and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities sold, exchanged or settled. For this purpose, the amount realized does not include any coupon paid at settlement and may not include sale proceeds attributable to an accrued coupon, which may be treated in the same manner as a coupon payment. In general, any such gain or loss recognized should be short-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the securities for one year or less at the time of the sale, exchange or settlement, and should be long-term capital gain or loss otherwise. The ordinary income treatment of the coupon payments, in conjunction with the capital loss treatment of any loss recognized upon the sale, exchange or settlement of the securities, could result in adverse tax consequences to holders of the securities because the deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

As discussed under “United States Federal Taxation— Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in the Securities” in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities, alternative U.S. federal income tax treatments of the securities are possible that, if applied, could materially and adversely affect the timing and character of income, gain or loss with respect to the securities.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

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

As discussed in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities, 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, 2025 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.

Both U.S. and non-U.S. investors considering an investment in the securities should read the discussion under “Risk Factors” in this document and the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities and consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, the issues presented by the 2007 notice described therein and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

The discussion in the preceding paragraphs under “Tax considerations” and the discussion contained in the section entitled “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities, insofar as they purport to describe provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

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. and WFS will act as the agents for this offering. WFS will receive a commission of up to $25.75 for each security it sells. WFS proposes to offer the securities in part directly to the public at the price to public set forth on the cover page of this document and in part to Wells Fargo Advisors (“WFA”) (the trade name of the retail brokerage business of WFS’s affiliates, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC), an affiliate of WFS, or other securities dealers at such price less a selling concession of up to $20.00 per security. In addition to the selling concession allowed to WFA, WFS may pay $0.75 per security of the commission to WFA as a distribution expense fee for each security sold by WFA.

In addition, in respect of certain securities sold in this offering, we may pay a fee of up to $2.00 per security to selected securities dealers in consideration for marketing and other services in connection with the distribution of the securities to other securities dealers.

See "Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)" in the accompanying product supplement for principal at risk securities for information about the distribution arrangements for the securities. References therein to "agent" refer to each of MS & Co. and WFS, as agents for this offering, except that references to "agent" in the context of offers to certain Morgan Stanley dealers and compliance with FINRA Rule 5121 do not apply to WFS. MS & Co., WFS or their affiliates may enter into hedging transactions with us in connection with this offering.

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 such that for each security the estimated value on the pricing date will be no lower than the minimum level described in “Estimated Value of the Securities” beginning on page 4.

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.

Where you can find more information

Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the product supplement for principal at risk 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 principal at risk securities, the index supplement and any other documents relating to this offering that Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed with the SEC for more complete information about Morgan Stanley, MSFL and this offering. When you read the accompanying product supplement and index supplement, please note that all references in such supplements to the prospectus dated November 16, 2023, or to any sections therein, should refer instead to the accompanying prospectus dated April 12, 2024 or to the corresponding sections of such prospectus, as applicable. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC web site at.www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Morgan Stanley, MSFL, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the product supplement for principal at risk securities, index supplement and prospectus 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 Principal at Risk Securities dated November 16, 2023

Index Supplement dated November 16, 2023 

Prospectus dated April 12, 2024

Terms used but not defined in this document are defined in the product supplement for principal at risk securities, in the index supplement or in the prospectus.