Primary Offering Prospectus - Form 424B2

November 2024

Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. 4,944

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

Dated November 19, 2024

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Structured Investments

Opportunities in U.S. Equities

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley

Principal at Risk Securities

The Buffered Securities offered are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley Finance LLC ("MSFL") and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley. The Buffered Securities will pay no interest, provide a minimum payment at maturity of only 20% of the stated principal amount and have the terms described in the accompanying product supplement for participation securities, index supplement and prospectus, as supplemented or modified by this document. At maturity, if the underlying index has appreciated in value, investors will receive the stated principal amount of their investment plus a return reflecting 100% of the upside performance of the underlying index, subject to the maximum payment at maturity. If the underlying index has depreciated in value, but the underlying index has not declined by more than the specified buffer amount, the Buffered Securities will redeem for par. However, if the underlying index has declined by more than the buffer amount, investors will lose 1% for every 1% decline beyond the specified buffer amount, subject to the minimum payment at maturity of 20% of the stated principal amount. Investors may lose up to 80% of the stated principal amount of the Buffered Securities. These long-dated Buffered Securities are for investors who seek an equity index-based return and who are willing to risk their principal and forgo current income and upside above the maximum payment at maturity in exchange for the buffer feature that applies to a limited range of performance of the underlying index. The Buffered 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 Buffered Securities are not secured obligations and you will not have any security interest in, or otherwise have any access to, any underlying reference asset or assets.

Summary Terms
Issuer:	Morgan Stanley Finance LLC
Guarantor:	Morgan Stanley
Maturity date:	December 4, 2029
Underlying index:	S&P 500® Index
Aggregate principal amount:	$
Payment at maturity per Buffered Security:	If the final index value is greater than the initial index value: $1,000 + upside payment In no event will the payment at maturity exceed the maximum payment at maturity. If the final index value is less than or equal to the initial index value but has decreased from the initial index value by an amount less than or equal to the buffer amount of 20%: $1,000 If the final index value is less than the initial index value and has decreased from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 20%: ($1,000 × the index performance factor) + $200 Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount of $1,000. However, under no circumstances will the Buffered Securities pay less than $200 per Buffered Security at maturity.
Upside payment:	$1,000 × index percent increase
Index percent increase:	(final index value - initial index value) / initial index value
Initial index value:	, which is the index closing value on the pricing date
Final index value:	The index closing value on the valuation date
Valuation date:	November 29, 2029, subject to postponement for non-index business days and certain market disruption events
Buffer amount:	20%. As a result of the buffer amount of 20%, the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the valuation date so that investors do not suffer a loss on their initial investment in the Buffered Securities is , which is 80% of the initial index value.
Minimum payment at maturity:	$200 per Buffered Security (20% of the stated principal amount)
Index performance factor:	Final index value divided by the initial index value
Maximum payment at maturity:	At least $1,745 per Buffered Security (174.50% of the stated principal amount). The actual maximum payment at maturity will be determined on the pricing date.
Stated principal amount:	$1,000 per Buffered Security
Issue price:	$1,000 per Buffered Security (see "Commissions and issue price" below)
Pricing date:	November 29, 2024
Original issue date:	December 4, 2024 (3 business days after the pricing date)
CUSIP:	61776WP98
ISIN:	US61776WP987
Listing:	The Buffered Securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Agent:	Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC ("MS & Co."), an affiliate of MSFL and a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. See "Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest."
Estimated value on the pricing date:	Approximately $965.70 per Buffered Security, or within $55.00 of that estimate. See "Investment Summary" beginning on page 2.
Commissions and issue price:	Price to public(1)	Agent's commissions and fees(2)	Proceeds to us(3)
Per Buffered Security	$1,000	$	$
Total	$	$	$

(1)The Buffered Securities will be sold only to investors purchasing the Buffered Securities in fee-based advisory accounts.

(2)MS & Co. expects to sell all of the Buffered Securities that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated dealer at a price of $ per Buffered Security, for further sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts at the price to public of $1,000 per Buffered Security. In addition, selected dealers and their financial advisors may receive a structuring fee of up to $6.25 for each Buffered Security from the agent or its affiliates. MS & Co. will not receive a sales commission with respect to the Buffered 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 for participation securities.

(3)See "Use of proceeds and hedging" on page 13.

The Buffered 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, index supplement and prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

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

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

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

Product Supplement for Participation Securities dated November 16, 2023 Index Supplement dated November 16, 2023

Prospectus dated April 12, 2024

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

Investment Summary

Buffered Participation Securities

Principal at Risk Securities

The Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029 (the "Buffered Securities") can be used:

￭To achieve similar levels of upside exposure to the underlying index as a direct investment, subject to the maximum payment at maturity

￭To obtain a buffer against a specified level of negative performance in the underlying index

Maturity:	5 years
Maximum payment at maturity:	At least $1,745 per Buffered Security (174.50% of the stated principal amount). The actual maximum payment at maturity will be determined on the pricing date.
Buffer amount:	20%, with 1-to-1 downside exposure below the buffer
Minimum payment at maturity:	$200 per Buffered Security (20% of the stated principal amount). Investors may lose up to 80% of the stated principal amount of the Buffered Securities.
Coupon:	None

The original issue price of each Buffered Security is $1,000. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the Buffered Securities, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the Buffered Securities on the pricing date will be less than $1,000. We estimate that the value of each Buffered Security on the pricing date will be approximately $965.70, or within $55.00 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the Buffered 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 Buffered Securities on the pricing date, we take into account that the Buffered Securities comprise both a debt component and a performance-based component linked to the underlying index. The estimated value of the Buffered Securities is determined using our own pricing and valuation models, market inputs and assumptions relating to the underlying index, instruments based on the underlying index, 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 Buffered Securities?

In determining the economic terms of the Buffered Securities, including the maximum payment at maturity, the buffer amount and the minimum payment at maturity, 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 Buffered 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 Buffered Securities?

The price at which MS & Co. purchases the Buffered Securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying index, 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 Buffered Securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the Buffered Securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying index, 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 Buffered Securities, and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time.

November 2024 Page 2

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

Key Investment Rationale

The Buffered Securities offer upside exposure to the underlying index, subject to the maximum payment at maturity, while providing limited protection against negative performance of the underlying index. Once the underlying index has decreased in value by more than the specified buffer amount, investors are exposed to the negative performance of the underlying index, subject to the minimum payment at maturity. At maturity, if the underlying index has appreciated, investors will receive the stated principal amount of their investment plus a return reflecting 100% of the index percent increase, subject to the maximum payment at maturity. At maturity, if the underlying index has depreciated and (i) if the final index value of the underlying index has not declined from the initial index value by more than the specified buffer amount, the Buffered Securities will redeem for par, or (ii) if the final index value of the underlying index has declined by more than the buffer amount, the investor will lose 1% for every 1% decline beyond the specified buffer amount, subject to the minimum payment at maturity. Investors may lose up to 80% of the stated principal amount of the Buffered Securities.

Upside Scenario	The underlying index increases in value, and, at maturity, the Buffered Securities redeem for the stated principal amount of $1,000 plus a return reflecting 100% of the index percent increase, subject to the maximum payment at maturity of at least $1,745 per Buffered Security (174.50% of the stated principal amount). The actual maximum payment at maturity will be determined on the pricing date.
Par Scenario	The underlying index declines in value by no more than 20%, and, at maturity, the Buffered Securities redeem for the stated principal amount of $1,000.
Downside Scenario	The underlying index declines in value by more than 20%, and, at maturity, the Buffered Securities redeem for less than the stated principal amount by an amount that is proportionate to the percentage decrease of the underlying index from the initial index value, plus the buffer amount of 20%. (Example: if the underlying index decreases in value by 35%, the Buffered Securities will redeem for $850, or 85% of the stated principal amount.) The minimum payment at maturity is $200 per Buffered Security.

November 2024 Page 3

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

How the Buffered Securities Work

Payoff Diagram

The payoff diagram below illustrates the payment at maturity on the Buffered Securities based on the following terms:

Stated principal amount:	$1,000 per Buffered Security
Buffer amount:	20%
Hypothetical maximum payment at maturity:	$1,745 per Buffered Security (174.50% of the stated principal amount). The actual maximum payment at maturity will be determined on the pricing date.
Minimum payment at maturity:	$200 per Buffered Security
Buffered Securities Payoff Diagram

How it works

￭Upside Scenario. If the final index value is greater than the initial index value, investors will receive the $1,000 stated principal amount plus 100% of the appreciation of the underlying index over the term of the Buffered Securities, subject to the maximum payment at maturity. Under the terms of the Buffered Securities, an investor will realize the hypothetical maximum payment at maturity of $1,745 per Buffered Security (174.50% of the stated principal amount) at a final index value of 174.50% of the initial index value.

￭If the underlying index appreciates 2%, investors will receive a 2% return, or $1,020 per Buffered Security.

￭If the underlying index appreciates 150%, the investor would receive only the hypothetical maximum payment at maturity of $1,745 per Buffered Security, or 174.50% of the stated principal amount.

￭Par Scenario. If the final index value is less than or equal to the initial index value but has decreased from the initial index value by an amount less than or equal to the buffer amount of 20%, investors will receive the stated principal amount of $1,000 per Buffered Security.

November 2024 Page 4

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

￭If the underlying index depreciates 5%, investors will receive the $1,000 stated principal amount.

￭Downside Scenario. If the final index value is less than the initial index value and has decreased from the initial index value by an amount greater than the buffer amount of 20%, investors will receive an amount that is less than the stated principal amount by an amount that is proportionate to the percentage decrease of the value of the underlying index from the initial index value, plus the buffer amount of 20%. The minimum payment at maturity is $200 per Buffered Security.

￭For example, if the underlying index depreciates 45%, investors would lose 25% of their principal and receive only $750 per Buffered Security at maturity, or 75% of the stated principal amount.

November 2024 Page 5

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

Risk Factors

This section describes the material risks relating to the Buffered Securities. For further discussion of these and other risks, you should read the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the accompanying product supplement for participation 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 Buffered Securities.

Risks Relating to an Investment in the Buffered Securities

￭The Buffered Securities do not pay interest and provide a minimum payment at maturity of only 20% of your principal. The terms of the Buffered Securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that the Buffered Securities do not pay interest, and provide a minimum payment at maturity of only 20% of the stated principal amount of the Buffered Securities, subject to our credit risk. If the final index value is less than 80% of the initial index value, you will receive for each Buffered Security that you hold a payment at maturity that is less than the stated principal amount of each Buffered Security by an amount proportionate to the decline in the closing value of the underlying index from the initial index value, plus $200 per Buffered Security. Accordingly, investors may lose up to 80% of the stated principal amount of the Buffered Securities.

￭The appreciation potential of the Buffered Securities is limited by the maximum payment at maturity. The appreciation potential of the Buffered Securities is limited by the maximum payment at maturity of at least $1,745 per Buffered Security, or 174.50% of the stated principal amount. The actual maximum payment at maturity will be determined on the pricing date. Investors will not participate in any further appreciation of the underlying index, which may be significant.

￭The market price of the Buffered Securities will be influenced by many unpredictable factors. Several factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence the value of the Buffered Securities in the secondary market and the price at which MS & Co. may be willing to purchase or sell the Buffered Securities in the secondary market, including the value, volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in value) and dividend yield of the underlying index, interest and yield rates in the market, time remaining until the Buffered Securities mature, geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the underlying index or equities markets generally and which may affect the final index value of the underlying index and any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads. Generally, the longer the time remaining to maturity, the more the market price of the Buffered Securities will be affected by the other factors described above. The value of the underlying index may be, and has recently been, volatile, and we can give you no assurance that the volatility will lessen. See "S&P 500® Index Overview" below. You may receive less, and possibly significantly less, than the stated principal amount per Buffered Security if you try to sell your Buffered Securities prior to maturity.

￭The Buffered 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 Buffered Securities. You are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the Buffered Securities at maturity and therefore you are subject to our credit risk. If we default on our obligations under the Buffered 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 Buffered Securities prior to maturity will be affected by changes in the market's view of our creditworthiness. Any actual or anticipated decline in our credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect the market value of the Buffered 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 amount payable on the Buffered Securities is not linked to the value of the underlying index at any time other than the valuation date. The final index value will be based on the index closing value on the valuation date, subject to postponement for non-index business days and certain market disruption events. Even if the value of the underlying index appreciates prior to the valuation date but then drops by the valuation date by more than 20% of the initial index value, the payment at maturity will be less, and may be significantly less, than it would have been had the payment at maturity been linked to the value of the underlying index prior to such drop. Although the actual value of the underlying index on the stated maturity date or at other times during the term of the Buffered Securities may be higher than the index closing value on the valuation date, the payment at maturity will be based solely on the index closing value on the valuation date.

￭Investing in the Buffered Securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlying index. Investing in the Buffered Securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlying index or its component stocks. As an investor in the Buffered Securities,

November 2024 Page 6

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

you will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to stocks that constitute the underlying index.

￭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 Buffered Securities in the original issue price reduce the economic terms of the Buffered Securities, cause the estimated value of the Buffered 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 Buffered 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 Buffered Securities in the original issue price and the lower rate we are willing to pay as issuer make the economic terms of the Buffered Securities less favorable to you than they otherwise would be.

However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the Buffered Securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the Buffered Securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the underlying index, 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 Buffered 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 Buffered Securities than those generated by others, including other dealers in the market, if they attempted to value the Buffered 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 Buffered Securities in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your Buffered 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 Buffered Securities will be influenced by many unpredictable factors" above.

￭The Buffered Securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and secondary trading may be limited. The Buffered Securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the Buffered Securities. MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the Buffered 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 Buffered 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 Buffered Securities. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Buffered Securities easily. Since other broker-dealers may not participate significantly in the secondary market for the Buffered Securities, the price at which you may be able to trade your Buffered 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 Buffered Securities, it is likely that there would be no secondary market for the Buffered Securities. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your Buffered Securities to maturity.

￭The calculation agent, which is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of MSFL, will make determinations with respect to the Buffered Securities. As calculation agent, MS & Co. will determine the initial index value and the final index value, and will calculate the amount of cash you receive at maturity. Moreover, certain determinations made by MS & Co., in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, such as with respect to the occurrence or non-occurrence of market disruption events and the selection of a successor index or calculation of the final index value in the event of a market disruption event or discontinuance of the underlying index. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity. For further information regarding these types of determinations, see "Description of Securities-Postponement of Valuation Date(s)" and "-Calculation Agent and Calculations" and related definitions in the accompanying product supplement. In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the Buffered Securities on the pricing date.

￭Hedging and trading activity by our affiliates could potentially adversely affect the value of the Buffered Securities. One or more of our affiliates and/or third-party dealers expect to carry out hedging activities related to the Buffered Securities (and possibly to other instruments linked to the underlying index or its component stocks), including trading in the stocks that constitute the underlying index as well as in other instruments related to the underlying index. As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the Buffered Securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more

November 2024 Page 7

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the valuation date approaches. Some of our affiliates also trade the stocks that constitute the underlying index and other financial instruments related to the underlying index on a regular basis as part of their general broker-dealer and other businesses. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the pricing date could potentially increase the initial index value, and, therefore, could increase the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the valuation date so that investors do not suffer a loss on their initial investment in the Buffered Securities. Additionally, such hedging or trading activities during the term of the Buffered Securities, including on the valuation date, could adversely affect the closing value of the underlying index on the valuation date, and, accordingly, the amount of cash an investor will receive at maturity.

￭The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered Securities are uncertain. Please read the discussion under "Additional Information-Tax considerations" in this document and the discussion under "United States Federal Taxation" in the accompanying product supplement for participation securities (together, the "Tax Disclosure Sections") concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered Securities. There is no direct legal authority regarding the proper U.S. federal tax treatment of the Buffered Securities, and we do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"). Consequently, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Buffered Securities are uncertain, and the IRS or a court might not agree with the tax treatment of a Buffered Security as a single financial contract that is an "open transaction" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment of the Buffered Securities, the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Buffered Securities, including the timing and character of income recognized by U.S. Holders and the withholding tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders, might be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, future legislation, Treasury regulations or IRS guidance could adversely affect the U.S. federal tax treatment of the Buffered Securities, possibly retroactively.

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 Buffered Securities, including possible alternative treatments, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

Risks Relating to the Underlying Index

￭Adjustments to the underlying index could adversely affect the value of the Buffered Securities. The underlying index publisher may add, delete or substitute the stocks constituting the underlying index or make other methodological changes that could change the value of the underlying index. The underlying index publisher may discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of the underlying index at any time. In these circumstances, the calculation agent will have the sole discretion to substitute a successor index that is comparable to the discontinued underlying index and is not precluded from considering indices that are calculated and published by the calculation agent or any of its affiliates. If the calculation agent determines that there is no appropriate successor index, the payment at maturity on the Buffered Securities will be an amount based on the closing prices at maturity of the securities composing the underlying index at the time of such discontinuance, without rebalancing or substitution, computed by the calculation agent in accordance with the formula for calculating the underlying index last in effect prior to discontinuance of the underlying index.

November 2024 Page 8

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

S&P 500® Index Overview

The S&P 500® Index, which is calculated, maintained and published by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC ("S&P®"), is intended to provide a benchmark for performance measurement of the large capitalization segment of the U.S. equity markets by tracking the stock price movement of 500 companies with large market capitalizations. Component stocks of the S&P 500® Index are required to have a total company level market capitalization that reflects approximately the 85th percentile of the S&P® Total Market Index. The S&P 500® Index measures the relative performance of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time as compared to the performance of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. For additional information about the S&P 500® Index, see the information set forth under "S&P® U.S. Indices-S&P 500® Index" in the accompanying index supplement.

Information as of market close on November 15, 2024:

Bloomberg Ticker Symbol:	SPX
Current Index Value:	5,870.62
52 Weeks Ago:	4,502.88
52 Week High (on 11/11/2024):	6,001.35
52 Week Low (on 11/15/2023):	4,502.88

The following graph sets forth the daily index closing values of the underlying index for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2019 through November 15, 2024. The related table sets forth the published high and low closing values, as well as end-of-quarter closing values, of the underlying index for each quarter in the same period. The index closing value of the underlying index on November 15, 2024 was 5,870.62. We obtained the information in the graph and table below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification. The underlying index has at times experienced periods of high volatility. You should not take the historical values of the underlying index as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the index closing value of the underlying index on the valuation date.

S&P 500® Index Daily Index Closing Values January 1, 2019 to November 15, 2024

November 2024 Page 9

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

S&P 500® Index	High	Low	Period End
2019
First Quarter	2,854.88	2,447.89	2,834.40
Second Quarter	2,954.18	2,744.45	2,941.76
Third Quarter	3,025.86	2,840.60	2,976.74
Fourth Quarter	3,240.02	2,887.61	3,230.78
2020
First Quarter	3,386.15	2,237.40	2,584.59
Second Quarter	3,232.39	2,470.50	3,100.29
Third Quarter	3,580.84	3,115.86	3,363.00
Fourth Quarter	3,756.07	3,269.96	3,756.07
2021
First Quarter	3,974.54	3,700.65	3,972.89
Second Quarter	4,297.50	4,019.87	4,297.50
Third Quarter	4,536.95	4,258.49	4,307.54
Fourth Quarter	4,793.06	4,300.46	4,766.18
2022
First Quarter	4,796.56	4,170.70	4,530.41
Second Quarter	4,582.64	3,666.77	3,785.38
Third Quarter	4,305.20	3,585.62	3,585.62
Fourth Quarter	4,080.11	3,577.03	3,839.50
2023
First Quarter	4,179.76	3,808.10	4,109.31
Second Quarter	4,450.38	4,055.99	4,450.38
Third Quarter	4,588.96	4,273.53	4,288.05
Fourth Quarter	4,783.35	4,117.37	4,769.83
2024
First Quarter	5,254.35	4,688.68	5,254.35
Second Quarter	5,487.03	4,967.23	5,460.48
Third Quarter	5,762.48	5,186.33	5,762.48
Fourth Quarter (through November 15, 2024)	6,001.35	5,695.94	5,870.62

"Standard & Poor's®," "S&P®," "S&P 500®," "Standard & Poor's 500" and "500" are trademarks of Standard and Poor's Financial Services LLC. For more information, see "S&P® U.S. Indices" in the accompanying index supplement.

November 2024 Page 10

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

Additional Terms of the Buffered Securities

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

Additional Terms:
If the terms described herein are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying product supplement, index supplement or prospectus, the terms described herein shall control.
Underlying index publisher:	S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC or any successor thereof
Interest:	None
Bull market or bear market securities:	Bull market securities
Postponement of maturity date:	If the scheduled valuation date is not an index business day or if a market disruption event occurs on that day so that the valuation date as postponed falls less than two business days prior to the scheduled maturity date, the maturity date of the Buffered Securities will be postponed to the second business day following that valuation date as postponed.
Denominations:	$1,000 per Buffered Security and integral multiples thereof
Trustee:	The Bank of New York Mellon
Calculation agent:	MS & Co.
Issuer notice to registered security holders, the trustee and the depositary:	In the event that the maturity date is postponed due to postponement of the valuation date, the issuer shall give notice of such postponement and, once it has been determined, of the date to which the maturity date has been rescheduled (i) to each registered holder of the Buffered Securities by mailing notice of such postponement by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such registered holder's last address as it shall appear upon the registry books, (ii) to the trustee by facsimile confirmed by mailing such notice to the trustee by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its New York office and (iii) to The Depository Trust Company (the "depositary") by telephone or facsimile, confirmed by mailing such notice to the depositary by first class mail, postage prepaid. Any notice that is mailed to a registered holder of the Buffered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given to such registered holder, whether or not such registered holder receives the notice. The issuer shall give such notice as promptly as possible, and in no case later than (i) with respect to notice of postponement of the maturity date, the business day immediately preceding the scheduled maturity date, and (ii) with respect to notice of the date to which the maturity date has been rescheduled, the business day immediately following the actual valuation date for determining the final index value. The issuer shall, or shall cause the calculation agent to, (i) provide written notice to the trustee and to the depositary of the amount of cash to be delivered with respect to each Buffered Security on or prior to 10:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the business day preceding the maturity date, and (ii) deliver the aggregate cash amount due with respect to the Buffered Securities to the trustee for delivery to the depositary, as holder of the Buffered Securities, on the maturity date.

November 2024 Page 11

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

Additional Information About the Buffered Securities

Additional Information:
Minimum ticketing size:	$1,000 / 1 Buffered Security
Tax considerations:	Although there is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered Securities due to the lack of governing authority, in the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, under current law, and based on current market conditions, it is reasonable to treat a Buffered Security as a single financial contract that is an "open transaction" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, because our counsel's opinion is based in part on market conditions as of the date of this document, it is subject to confirmation on the pricing date. Assuming this treatment of the Buffered Securities is respected and subject to the discussion in "United States Federal Taxation" in the accompanying product supplement for participation securities, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result based on current law: ￭A U.S. Holder should not be required to recognize taxable income over the term of the Buffered Securities prior to settlement, other than pursuant to a sale or exchange. ￭Upon sale, exchange or settlement of the Buffered Securities, a U.S. Holder should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Buffered Securities. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if the investor has held the Buffered Securities for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise. We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") regarding the treatment of the Buffered Securities. An alternative characterization of the Buffered Securities could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the Buffered 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 Buffered Securities, possibly with retroactive effect. As discussed in the accompanying product supplement for participation securities, Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder ("Section 871(m)") generally impose a 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate) withholding tax on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities (each, an "Underlying Security"). Subject to certain exceptions, Section 871(m) generally applies to securities that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more Underlying Securities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations (a "Specified Security"). However, pursuant to an IRS notice, Section 871(m) will not apply to securities issued before January 1, 2027 that do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security. Based on the terms of the Buffered Securities and current market conditions, we expect that the Buffered 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 final pricing supplement. Assuming that the Buffered Securities do not have a delta of one with respect to any Underlying Security, our counsel is of the opinion that the Buffered 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 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 Buffered Securities. Both U.S. and non-U.S. investors considering an investment in the Buffered 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 participation securities and consult their tax advisers regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Buffered Securities, including possible alternative treatments, 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

November 2024 Page 12

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

	product supplement for participation 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 Buffered Securities.
Use of proceeds and hedging:	The proceeds from the sale of the Buffered Securities will be used by us for general corporate purposes. We will receive, in aggregate, $1,000 per Buffered Security issued, because, when we enter into hedging transactions in order to meet our obligations under the Buffered Securities, our hedging counterparty will reimburse the cost of the agent's commissions. The costs of the Buffered Securities borne by you and described beginning on page 2 above comprise the agent's commissions and the cost of issuing, structuring and hedging the Buffered Securities. On or prior to the pricing date, we will hedge our anticipated exposure in connection with the Buffered Securities by entering into hedging transactions with our affiliates and/or third-party dealers. We expect our hedging counterparties to take positions in stocks of the underlying index, futures and options contracts on the underlying index and any component stocks of the underlying index listed on major securities markets or positions in any other available securities or instruments that they may wish to use in connection with such hedging. Such purchase activity could potentially increase the value of the underlying index on the pricing date, and, therefore, could increase the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the valuation date so that investors do not suffer a loss on their initial investment in the Buffered Securities. In addition, through our affiliates, we are likely to modify our hedge position throughout the term of the Buffered Securities, including on the valuation date, by purchasing and selling the stocks constituting the underlying index, futures or options contracts on the underlying index or its component stocks listed on major securities markets or positions in any other available securities or instruments that we may wish to use in connection with such hedging activities. As a result, these entities may be unwinding or adjusting hedge positions during the term of the Buffered Securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the valuation date approaches. We cannot give any assurance that our hedging activities will not affect the value of the underlying index, and, therefore, adversely affect the value of the Buffered Securities or the payment you will receive at maturity. For further information on our use of proceeds and hedging, see "Use of Proceeds and Hedging" in the accompanying product supplement for participation 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 Buffered Securities, either directly or indirectly.
Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution; conflicts of interest:	MS & Co. expects to sell all of the Buffered Securities that it purchases from us to an unaffiliated dealer at a price of $ per Buffered Security, for further sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts at the price to public of $1,000 per Buffered Security. In addition, selected dealers and their financial advisors may receive a structuring fee of up to $6.25 for each Buffered Security from the agent or its affiliates. MS & Co. will not receive a sales commission with respect to the Buffered 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 Buffered Securities. When MS & Co. prices this offering of Buffered Securities, it will determine the economic terms of the Buffered Securities, including the maximum payment at maturity, such that for each Buffered Security the estimated value on the pricing date will be no lower than the minimum level described in "Investment Summary" beginning on page 2. MS & Co. will conduct this offering in compliance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., which is commonly referred to as FINRA, regarding a FINRA member firm's distribution of the securities of an affiliate and related conflicts of interest. MS & Co. or any of our other affiliates may not make sales in this offering to any discretionary account. See "Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)" and "Use of Proceeds and Hedging" in the accompanying product supplement for participation securities.
Where you can find more information:	Morgan Stanley and MSFL have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as supplemented by the product supplement for participation 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 participation 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 participation securities, index supplement and prospectus if you so

November 2024 Page 13

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Buffered Participation Securities Based on the Value of the S&P 500® Index due December 4, 2029

Principal at Risk Securities

	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 Participation 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 participation securities, in the index supplement or in the prospectus.

November 2024 Page 14