MS-P Morgan Stanley

December 2024

Pricing Supplement No. 5,481

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

Dated December 20, 2024

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Structured Investments

Opportunities in U.S. Equities

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Morgan Stanley

Principal at Risk Securities

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities do not guarantee the payment of interest or the repayment of principal. Instead, the securities offer the opportunity for investors to earn a contingent monthly coupon, but only with respect to each observation date on which the index closing value of the underlying index is greater than or equal to 50% of the initial index value, which we refer to as the downside threshold level. In addition, beginning after one year, if the index closing value of the underlying index is greater than or equal to the initial index value on any monthly redemption determination date, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an amount per security equal to the stated principal amount and the contingent monthly coupon. However, if the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity, the payment at maturity due on the securities will be as follows: (i) if the final index value is greater than or equal to the downside threshold level, investors will receive the stated principal amount and the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final observation date, or (ii) if the final index value is less than the downside threshold level, investors will be exposed to the full decline in the underlying index on a 1-to-1 basis and will receive a payment at maturity that is less than 50% of the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero. Moreover, if on any observation date, the index closing value of the underlying index is less than the downside threshold level, you will not receive any contingent monthly coupon for that monthly period. As a result, investors must be willing to accept the risk of not receiving any contingent monthly coupons and also the risk of receiving a payment at maturity that is significantly less than the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero. Accordingly, investors could lose their entire initial investment in the securities. These long-dated securities are for investors who are willing to risk their principal and seek an opportunity to earn interest at a potentially above-market rate in exchange for the risk of receiving few or no contingent monthly coupons over the 5-year term of the securities, with no possibility of being called out of the securities until after the initial 1-year non-call period. Investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index. The securities are unsecured obligations of Morgan Stanley Finance LLC (“MSFL”) and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Morgan Stanley. The securities are issued as part of MSFL’s Series A Global Medium-Term Notes program.

The S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index (the “underlying index”) is a rules-based, long-only index that was developed by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC and was established on August 30, 2024. The underlying index employs a rules-based quantitative strategy that consists of a risk-adjusted approach based on volume-weighted average prices (“VWAPs”) of E-Mini S&P 500 Futures (the “futures contract”) and is rebalanced on an intraday basis. The strategy includes an overall volatility-targeting feature, and the underlying index is subject to a 4.0% per annum daily decrement.

The underlying index was developed to provide rules-based exposure to unfunded, rolling positions in the futures contract, with a maximum exposure to the futures contract of 400%.

On any day on which the level of the index is calculated (an “index calculation day”), the closing level of the underlying index will equal the sum of the cumulative return of the futures contract from the previous index calculation day to the current index calculation day (the “cumulative futures contract return”) and the closing level of the underlying index on the previous index calculation day minus a 4.0% per annum daily decrement.

For more information see “Annex A—S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index” below and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Underlying Index” below.

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

(1)Selected dealers and their financial advisors will collectively receive from the agent, MS & Co., a fixed sales commission of $2.50 for each security they sell. 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.

(2)See "Use of proceeds and hedging" on page 22.

The securities involve risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9.

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

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

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

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

Product Supplement for Auto-Callable Securities dated November 16, 2023  ​Index Supplement dated November 16, 2023

Prospectus dated April 12, 2024

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

Observation Dates, Redemption Determination Dates, Coupon Payment Dates and Early Redemption Dates

December 2024 Page 2

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

*The securities are not subject to automatic early redemption until the twelfth coupon payment date, which is December 26, 2025.

December 2024 Page 3

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

Investment Summary

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities

Principal at Risk Securities

The Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index, which we refer to as the securities, provide an opportunity for investors to earn a contingent monthly coupon with respect to each monthly observation date on which the index closing value or the final index value, as applicable, is greater than or equal to 50% of the initial index value, which we refer to as the downside threshold level. It is possible that the index closing value of the underlying index could remain below the downside threshold level for extended periods of time or even throughout the term of the securities so that you may receive few or no contingent monthly coupons.

If the index closing value is greater than or equal to the initial index value on any monthly redemption determination date, beginning on December 22, 2025 (approximately one year after the original issue date), the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption payment equal to the stated principal amount, plus the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the related observation date. If the securities have not previously been redeemed and the final index value is greater than or equal to the downside threshold level, the payment at maturity will be the stated principal amount and the contingent monthly coupon with respect to the final observation date. However, if the securities have not previously been redeemed and the final index value is less than the downside threshold level, investors will be exposed to the decline in the underlying index, as compared to the initial index value, on a 1-to-1 basis. In this case, the payment at maturity will be less than 50% of the stated principal amount of the securities and could be zero. Investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing their entire principal and also the risk of not receiving any contingent monthly coupon. In addition, investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index.

The original issue price of each security is $1,000. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date is less than $1,000. We estimate that the value of each security on the pricing date is $916.60.

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 underlying index. The estimated value of the 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 securities?

In determining the economic terms of the securities, including the contingent monthly coupon rate and the downside threshold level, 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 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 securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the 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 securities, and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time.

December 2024 Page 4

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

Key Investment Rationale

The securities offer investors an opportunity to earn a contingent monthly coupon with respect to each observation date on which the index closing value or the final index value, as applicable, is greater than or equal to 50% of the initial index value, which we refer to as the downside threshold level. The securities may be redeemed prior to maturity for the stated principal amount per security plus the applicable contingent monthly coupon, and the payment at maturity will vary depending on the final index value, as follows:

December 2024 Page 5

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

How the Securities Work

The following diagrams illustrate the potential outcomes for the securities depending on (1) the index closing values and (2) the final index value.

Diagram #1: Contingent Monthly Coupons (Beginning on the First Coupon Payment Date until Early Redemption or Maturity)

Diagram #2: Automatic Early Redemption (Starting after One Year)

December 2024 Page 6

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

Diagram #3: Payment at Maturity if No Automatic Early Redemption Occurs

For more information about the payout upon an early redemption or at maturity in different hypothetical scenarios, see “Hypothetical Examples” starting on page 8.

December 2024 Page 7

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

Hypothetical Examples

The below examples are based on the following terms:

1 The actual contingent monthly coupon will be an amount determined by the calculation agent based on the number of days in the applicable payment period, calculated on a 30/360 day-count basis. The hypothetical contingent monthly coupon of $9.583 is used in these examples for ease of analysis.

In Example 1, the index closing value of the underlying index is greater than or equal to the initial index value on one of the monthly redemption determination dates (beginning on December 22, 2025). Because the index closing value is greater than or equal to the initial index value on such a date, the securities are automatically redeemed on the related early redemption date. In Examples 2 and 3, the index closing value is less than the initial index value on each redemption determination date, and, consequently, the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to, and remain outstanding until, maturity.

Example 1—The securities are automatically redeemed following the monthly redemption determination date in March 2026, as the index closing value is greater than or equal to the initial index value on such redemption determination date. The index closing value is at or above the downside threshold level on only 2 of the 14 monthly observation dates prior to (and excluding) the observation date immediately preceding the early redemption. Therefore, you would receive the contingent monthly coupon with respect to those 2 observation dates, totaling $9.583 × 2 = $19.166‬, but not with respect to the other 12 observation dates. The underlying index, however, recovers, and the index closing value is greater than or equal to the initial index value on the redemption determination date in March 2026. Upon early redemption, investors receive the early redemption payment calculated as $1,000 + $9.583 = $1,009.583.

The total payment over the 1.25-year term of the securities is $19.166 + $1,009.583 = $1,028.749. Investors do not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index.

Example 2—The securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, as the index closing value is less than the initial index value on each monthly redemption determination date. The index closing value is at or above the downside threshold level on all 59 monthly observation dates prior to (and excluding) the final observation date, and the final index value is above the downside threshold level. Therefore, you would receive (i) the contingent monthly coupons with respect to the 59 observation dates prior to (and excluding) the final observation date, totaling $9.583 × 59 = $565.397‬, and (ii) the payment at maturity calculated as $1,000 + $9.583 = $1,009.583.

The total payment over the 5-year term of the securities is $565.397‬ + $1,009.583 = $1,574.980.

This example illustrates the scenario where you receive a contingent monthly coupon on every coupon payment date throughout the term of the securities and receive your principal back at maturity, resulting in an annual interest rate of 11.50% over the 5-year term of the securities. This example, therefore, represents the maximum amount payable over the 5-year term of the securities. To the extent that coupons are not paid on every coupon payment date, the effective rate of interest on the securities will be less than the rate of 11.50% per annum and could be zero.

Example 3—The securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, as the index closing value is less than the initial index value on each monthly redemption determination date. The index closing value is below the downside threshold level on all of the monthly observation dates, including the final observation date, on which the final index value is 920. Therefore, you would receive no contingent monthly coupons, and the payment at maturity would be calculated as $1,000 × (920 / 2,300) = $400.

The total payment over the 5-year term of the securities is $0 + $400 = $400.

If the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final index value is less than the downside threshold level, you will lose a significant portion or all of your investment in the securities.

December 2024 Page 8

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

Risk Factors

This section describes the material risks relating to the securities. For further discussion of these and other risks, you should read the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product supplement, index supplement and prospectus. You should also 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

￭The securities do not guarantee the return of any principal. The terms of the securities differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that the securities do not guarantee the payment of regular interest or the return of any of the principal amount at maturity. Instead, if the securities have not been automatically redeemed prior to maturity and if the final index value is less than the downside threshold level, you will be exposed to the full decline in the underlying index, as compared to the initial index value, on a 1-to-1 basis and you will receive a payment at maturity that will be less than 50% of the stated principal amount and could be zero. You could lose up to your entire investment in the securities.

￭You will not receive any contingent monthly coupon for any monthly period where the index closing value is less than the downside threshold level. A contingent monthly coupon will be paid with respect to a monthly period only if the index closing value is greater than or equal to the downside threshold level. If the index closing value remains below the downside threshold level on each observation date over the term of the securities, you will not receive any contingent monthly coupons.

￭The contingent monthly coupon, if any, is based solely on the index closing value or the final index value, as applicable. Whether the contingent monthly coupon will be paid with respect to an observation date will be based on the index closing value or the final index value, as applicable. As a result, you will not know whether you will receive the contingent monthly coupon until the related observation date. Moreover, because the contingent monthly coupon is based solely on the index closing value on a specific observation date or the final index value, as applicable, if such index closing value or final index value is less than the downside threshold level, you will not receive any contingent monthly coupon with respect to such observation date, even if the index closing value of the underlying index was higher on other days during the term of the securities.

￭Investors will not participate in any appreciation in the value of the underlying index. Investors will not participate in any appreciation in the value of the underlying index from the initial index value, and the return on the securities will be limited to the contingent monthly coupons, if any, that are paid with respect to each observation date on which the index closing value or the final index value, as applicable, is greater than or equal to the downside threshold level until the securities are redeemed or reach maturity. It is possible that the index closing value could be below the downside threshold level on most or all of the observation dates so that you will receive few or no contingent monthly coupons. If you do not earn sufficient contingent monthly coupons over the term of the securities, the overall return on the securities may be less than the amount that would be paid on a conventional debt security of ours of comparable maturity.

￭The automatic early redemption feature may limit the term of your investment to as short as approximately one year. If the securities are redeemed early, you may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. The term of your investment in the securities may be limited to as short as approximately one year by the automatic early redemption feature of the securities. If the securities are redeemed prior to maturity, you will receive no more contingent monthly coupons and may be forced to invest in a lower interest rate environment and may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. However, under no circumstances will the securities be redeemed in the first year of the term of the securities.

￭The market price will be influenced by many unpredictable factors. Several factors will influence the value of the securities in the secondary market and the price at which MS & Co. may be willing to purchase or sell the securities in the secondary market. Although we expect that generally the index closing value of the underlying index on any day will affect the value of the securities more than any other single factors, other factors that may influence the value of the securities include:

othe volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in value) of the underlying index,

owhether the index closing value of the underlying index is currently or has been below the downside threshold level on any observation date,

ogeopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the futures contract or securities markets generally and which may affect the value of the underlying index,

December 2024 Page 9

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

odividend rates on the securities underlying the indices referenced by the futures contract,

othe time remaining until the securities mature,

ointerest and yield rates in the market,

othe availability of comparable instruments,

othe composition of the underlying index, the compositions of the indices referenced by the futures contract and changes in the constituent stocks of such indices, and

oany 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 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 the underlying index has closed near or below the downside threshold level, the market value of the securities is expected to decrease substantially and you may have to sell your securities at a substantial discount from the stated principal amount of $1,000 per security.

You cannot predict the future performance of the underlying index based on its historical performance. The value of the underlying index may decrease and be below the downside threshold level on each observation date so that you will receive no contingent monthly coupons, and the value of the underlying index may decrease and be below the downside threshold level on the final observation date so that you will lose a significant portion or all of your investment. There can be no assurance that the index closing value of the underlying index will be greater than or equal to the downside threshold level on any observation date so that you will receive any contingent monthly coupon during the term of the securities, or that it will be greater than or equal to the downside threshold level on the final observation date so that you do not suffer a significant loss on your initial investment in the securities. See “S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index Overview” below.

￭The securities are subject to our credit risk, and any actual or anticipated changes to our credit ratings or credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the securities. You are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the securities on each coupon payment date, upon automatic redemption or at maturity, and therefore you are subject to our credit risk. If we default on our obligations under the securities, your investment would be at risk and you could lose some or all of your investment. As a result, the market value of the securities prior to maturity will be affected by changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness. Any actual or anticipated decline in our credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect the market value of the securities.

￭As a finance subsidiary, MSFL has no independent operations and will have no independent assets. As a finance subsidiary, MSFL has no independent operations beyond the issuance and administration of its securities and will have no independent assets available for distributions to holders of MSFL securities if they make claims in respect of such securities in a bankruptcy, resolution or similar proceeding. Accordingly, any recoveries by such holders will be limited to those available under the related guarantee by Morgan Stanley and that guarantee will rank pari passu with all other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of Morgan Stanley. Holders will have recourse only to a single claim against Morgan Stanley and its assets under the guarantee. Holders of securities issued by MSFL should accordingly assume that in any such proceedings they would not have any priority over and should be treated pari passu with the claims of other unsecured, unsubordinated creditors of Morgan Stanley, including holders of Morgan Stanley-issued securities.

￭Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlying index. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlying index, the futures contract or the component stocks of the indices referenced by the futures contract. As an investor in the securities, you will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the component stocks of the indices referenced by the futures contract.

￭The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and secondary trading may be limited. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your securities for the entire 5-year term of the securities. The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the securities. MS & Co. may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the securities and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time. When it does make a market, it will generally do so for transactions of routine secondary market size at prices based on its estimate of the current value of the securities, taking into account its bid/offer spread, our credit spreads, market volatility, the notional size of the proposed sale, the cost of unwinding any related hedging positions, the time remaining to maturity and the likelihood that it will be able to resell the securities. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the securities easily. Since other broker-dealers may not participate

December 2024 Page 10

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

significantly in the secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to trade your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which MS & Co. is willing to transact. If, at any time, MS & Co. were to cease making a market in the securities, it is likely that there would be no secondary market for the securities. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your securities to maturity.

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

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

However, because the costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities are not fully deducted upon issuance, for a period of up to 6 months following the issue date, to the extent that MS & Co. may buy or sell the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to the 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 securities is determined by reference to our pricing and valuation models, which may differ from those of other dealers and is not a maximum or minimum secondary market price. These pricing and valuation models are proprietary and rely in part on subjective views of certain market inputs and certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, because there is no market-standard way to value these types of securities, our models may yield a higher estimated value of the securities than those generated by others, including other dealers in the market, if they attempted to value the securities. In addition, the estimated value on the pricing date does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which dealers, including MS & Co., would be willing to purchase your securities in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your securities at any time after the date of this document will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including our creditworthiness and changes in market conditions. See also “The market price will be influenced by many unpredictable factors” above.

￭Hedging and trading activity by our affiliates could potentially adversely affect the value of the securities. One or more of our affiliates and/or third-party dealers expect to carry out hedging activities related to the securities (and to other instruments linked to the underlying index, the futures contract or the component stocks of the indices referenced by the futures contract), including trading in the futures contract and the stocks that constitute the indices referenced by the futures contract 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 securities, and the hedging strategy may involve greater and more frequent dynamic adjustments to the hedge as the final observation date approaches. Some of our affiliates also trade the stocks that constitute the indices referenced by the futures contract 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 downside threshold level, which is the value at or above which the underlying index must close on each observation date so that you receive a contingent monthly coupon on the securities, and, if the securities are not called prior to maturity, the value at or above which the underlying index must close on the final observation date so that you are not exposed to the negative performance of the underlying index at maturity. Additionally, such hedging or trading activities during the term of the securities could potentially affect the value of the underlying index on the redemption determination dates and observation dates, and, accordingly, whether the securities are automatically called prior to maturity, whether we pay a contingent monthly coupon on each coupon payment date and, if the securities are not called prior to maturity, the payout to you at maturity, if any.

￭The calculation agent, which is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley and an affiliate of MSFL, will make determinations with respect to the securities. As calculation agent, MS & Co. will determine the initial index value, the downside

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Morgan Stanley Finance LLC

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due December 26, 2029, with 1-Year Initial Non-Call Period

Based on the Performance of the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Principal at Risk Securities

threshold level, the index closing value on each observation date, including the final index value, whether the contingent monthly coupon will be paid on each coupon payment date, whether the securities will be redeemed following any redemption determination date, whether a market disruption event has occurred, and the payment that you will receive upon an automatic early redemption or at maturity, if any. Moreover, certain determinations made by MS & Co., in its capacity as calculation agent, may require it to exercise discretion and make subjective judgments, such as with respect to the occurrence or non-occurrence of market disruption events and the selection of a successor index or calculation of the index closing value in the event of a market disruption event or discontinuance of the underlying index. These potentially subjective determinations may affect the payout to you upon an automatic early redemption or at maturity, if any. For further information regarding these types of determinations, see “Description of Auto-Callable Securities—Auto-Callable Securities Linked to a Single Index” and “—Calculation Agent and Calculations” in the accompanying product supplement. In addition, MS & Co. has determined the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date.

￭The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities are uncertain. There is no direct legal authority as to the proper treatment of the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and, therefore, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain.

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

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

Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, as well as tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

Risks Relating to the Underlying Index

￭No assurance can be given that the investment strategy used to construct the underlying index will achieve its intended results or that the underlying index will be successful or will outperform any alternative index or strategy that might reference the futures contract. No assurance can be given that the investment strategy on which the underlying index is based will be successful or that the underlying index will outperform any alternative strategy that might be employed with respect to the futures contract. The underlying index has been developed based on predetermined rules that may not prove to be advantageous or successful, and that will not be adjusted for market conditions.

￭The decrement of 4% per annum will adversely affect the performance of the underlying index in all cases, whether the underlying index appreciates or depreciates. The underlying index includes a decrement feature, whereby 4% per annum is deducted daily from the level of the underlying index. The level of the underlying index will track the performance of an index from which no such decrement is deducted, and as a result, the underlying index will underperform

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the tracked index in all cases. The level of the underlying index may decline even if the prices of the futures contract increase. Because of the deduction of the decrement, the underlying index will underperform the performance of an identical index without such a decrement feature.

￭The underlying index is subject to risks associated with the use of significant leverage. At times, the underlying index will use significant leverage in an effort to achieve its target volatility. When the underlying index employs leverage, any declines in the prices of the futures contract will be magnified, resulting in accelerated losses.

￭The underlying index may not be fully invested. The underlying index is rebalanced on an intraday basis, meaning that it is rebalanced several times a day. When such rebalancing occurs, the underlying index’s exposure to the futures contract will be less than 100% when the implied volatility of the futures contract is above 40%. If the underlying index’s exposure to the futures contract is less than 100%, the underlying index will not be fully invested, and any uninvested portion will earn no return. The underlying index may be significantly uninvested on any given day, and will realize only a portion of any gains due to appreciation of the futures contract on any such day. Additionally, the 4.0% per annum decrement is deducted daily, even when the underlying index is not fully invested.

￭The underlying index was established on August 30, 2024 and therefore has very limited operating history. The performances of the underlying index and some of the component data have been retrospectively simulated for the period from January 1, 2019 to August 29, 2024. As such, performance for periods prior to the establishment of the underlying index has been retrospectively simulated by Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC on a hypothetical basis. A retrospective simulation means that no actual investment which allowed a tracking of the performance of the underlying index existed at any time during the period of the retrospective simulation. The methodology used for the calculation and retrospective simulation of the underlying index has been developed with the advantage of hindsight. In reality, it is not possible to invest with the advantage of hindsight and therefore this historical performance is purely theoretical and may not be indicative of future performance.

￭As the underlying index is new and has very limited historical performance, any investment in the underlying index may involve greater risk than an investment in an index with longer actual historical performance and a proven track record. All information regarding the performance of the underlying index prior to August 30, 2024 is hypothetical and back-tested, as the underlying index did not exist prior to that time. It is important to understand that hypothetical back-tested index performance information is subject to significant limitations, in addition to the fact that past performance is never a guarantee of future performance. In particular:

oS&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC developed the rules of the underlying index with the benefit of hindsight - that is, with the benefit of being able to evaluate how the underlying index rules would have caused the underlying index to perform had it existed during the hypothetical back-tested period.

oThe hypothetical back-tested performance of the underlying index might look different if it covered a different historical period. The market conditions that existed during the historical period covered by the hypothetical back-tested index performance information in this note are not necessarily representative of the market conditions that will exist in the future.

oIt is impossible to predict whether the underlying index will rise or fall. The actual future performance of the underlying index may bear little relation to the historical or hypothetical back-tested levels of the underlying index.

￭Higher future prices of the futures contract to which the underlying index is linked relative to its current prices may adversely affect the value of the underlying index and the value of the securities. The futures contract is currently listed for trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. As the futures contract approaches expiration, it is replaced by a contract that has a later expiration. Thus, for example, a contract purchased and held in September may specify a December expiration. As time passes, the contract expiring in December is replaced by a contract for delivery in March. This process is referred to as “rolling.” If the market for these contracts is (putting aside other considerations) in “backwardation,” where the prices are lower in the distant delivery months than in the nearer delivery months, the sale of the December contract would take place at a price that is higher than the price of the March contract, thereby creating a “roll yield.” While many futures contracts have historically exhibited consistent periods of backwardation, backwardation will most likely not exist at all times. It is also possible for the market for these contracts to be in “contango.” Contango markets are those in which the prices of contracts are higher in the distant delivery months than in the nearer delivery months. The presence of contango and absence of backwardation

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in the market for these contracts could result in negative “roll yields,” which could adversely affect the value of the underlying index, and, accordingly, the value of the securities.

￭Suspensions or disruptions of market trading in futures markets could adversely affect the price of the securities. Securities markets and futures markets are subject to temporary distortions or other disruptions due to various factors, including the lack of liquidity in the markets, the participation of speculators and government regulation and intervention. In addition, U.S. futures exchanges and some foreign exchanges have regulations that limit the amount of fluctuation in futures contract prices which may occur during a single business day. These limits are generally referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits” and the maximum or minimum price of a contract on any given day as a result of these limits is referred to as a “limit price.” Once the limit price has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made at a different price. Limit prices have the effect of precluding trading in a particular contract or forcing the liquidation of contracts at disadvantageous times or prices. These circumstances could adversely affect the value of the underlying index, and, therefore, the value of the securities.

￭Legal and regulatory changes could adversely affect the return on and value of your securities. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including those related to the underlying index, are subject to extensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, commonly referred to as the “CFTC,” and the exchanges on which such futures contracts trade, are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the retroactive implementation of speculative position limits or higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily limits and the suspension of trading. Furthermore, certain exchanges have regulations that limit the amount of fluctuations in futures contract prices that may occur during a single five-minute trading period. These limits could adversely affect the market prices of relevant futures and options contracts and forward contracts.

￭Adjustments to the underlying index could adversely affect the value of the securities. The publisher of the underlying index may add, delete or substitute the futures contract or make other methodological changes that could change the value of the underlying index. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of the securities. The publisher of the underlying index may also discontinue or suspend calculation or publication of the underlying index at any time. In these circumstances, MS & Co., as the calculation agent, will have the sole discretion to substitute a successor index that is comparable to the discontinued index. MS & Co. could have an economic interest that is different than that of investors in the securities insofar as, for example, MS & Co. is permitted to consider indices that are calculated and published by MS & Co. or any of its affiliates.

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S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index Overview

The S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index (the “underlying index”) is a rules-based, long-only index that was developed by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P®”) and was established on August 30, 2024. The underlying index employs a rules-based quantitative strategy that consists of a risk-adjusted approach based on volume-weighted average prices of E-Mini S&P 500 Futures (the “futures contract”) and is rebalanced on an intraday basis. The strategy includes an overall volatility-targeting feature, and the underlying index is subject to a 4.0% per annum daily decrement. For additional information about the S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index, see the information set forth under “Annex A—S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index” below.

The inception date for the underlying index was August 30, 2024. The information regarding the underlying index prior to August 30, 2024 is a hypothetical retrospective simulation calculated by the underlying index publisher using the same methodology as is currently employed for calculating the underlying index based on historical data. Investors should be aware that no actual investment which allowed a tracking of the performance of the underlying index was possible at any time prior to August 30, 2024. Such data must be considered illustrative only.

Information as of market close on December 20, 2024:

The following graph sets forth the hypothetical retrospective and historical daily index closing values of the underlying index for the period from January 1, 2019 through December 20, 2024. The related table sets forth the hypothetical retrospective and historical 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 December 20, 2024 was 2,843.82. The underlying index was established on August 30, 2024. The information prior to August 30, 2024 is a hypothetical retrospective simulation calculated by the underlying index publisher and must be considered illustrative only. No assurance can be given as to the index closing value of the underlying index on any observation date, including the final observation date.

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* The black solid line indicates the downside threshold level, which is 50% of the initial index value.

**The underlying index was established on August 30, 2024. The information prior to August 30, 2024 is a hypothetical retrospective simulation calculated by the underlying index publisher and must be considered illustrative only.

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“S&P®” is a trademark of S&P® Global, Inc. For more information, see “Annex A—S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index” below.

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Additional Terms of the Securities

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

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Additional Information About the Securities

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Annex A— S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index

Overview

The S&P® 500 Futures 40% Intraday 4% Decrement VT Index (the “underlying index”) is a rules-based, long-only index that was developed by S&P® Dow Jones Indices LLC and was established on August 30, 2024. The underlying index employs a rules-based quantitative strategy that consists of a risk-adjusted approach based on volume-weighted average prices (“VWAPs”) of E-Mini S&P 500 Futures (the “futures contract”) and is rebalanced on an intraday basis. The strategy includes an overall volatility-targeting feature, and the underlying index is subject to a 4.0% per annum daily decrement.

Underlying Index Strategy

The underlying index was developed to provide rules-based exposure to unfunded, rolling positions in the futures contract, with a maximum exposure to the futures contract of 400%.

E-mini S&P 500 Futures

E-mini S&P 500 Futures are U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts, based on the S&P 500® Index, traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (the “CME”), representing a contract unit of $50 multiplied by the level of the S&P 500® Index, measured in cents per index point.

E-mini S&P 500 Futures contracts listed for the nearest nine quarters, for each March, June, September and December, and the nearest three Decembers are available for trading. Trading of the E-mini S&P 500 Futures contracts terminates at 9:30 A.M. Eastern time on the third Friday of the contract month.

The daily settlement prices of the E-mini S&P 500 Futures contracts are based on trading activity in the relevant contract (and in the case of a lead month also being the expiry month, together with trading activity on lead month-second month spread contracts) on the CME during a specified settlement period. The final settlement price of the futures contract is based on the opening prices of the component stocks in the S&P 500® Index, determined on the third Friday of the contract month. For more information on the S&P 500® Index, see “S&P® U.S. Indices—S&P 500® Index” in the accompanying index supplement.

Underlying Index Closing Level Calculation

On any day on which the level of the index is calculated (an “index calculation day”), the closing level of the underlying index will equal the sum of the cumulative return of the futures contract from the previous index calculation day to the current index calculation day (the “cumulative futures contract return”) and the closing level of the underlying index on the previous index calculation day minus a 4.0% per annum daily decrement (see “Decrement Deduction”).

The cumulative futures contract return from day t-1 to day t is calculated using hourly, volume-weighted data as follows:

(1)The product of (a) the VWAP of the futures contract calculated using execution window #1 on day t minus the VWAP of the futures contract calculated for execution window #7 with respect to the prior index calculation day (day t-1) and (b) the number of futures contract units as of the final observation window on day t-1; and

(2)The sum of the product of (a) the VWAP of the futures contract calculated using execution window i on day t minus the VWAP of the futures contract calculated for the prior execution window i-1 on day t and (b) the number of futures contract units as of the prior observation window i-1 with respect to each of execution windows #2-7.

At the end of each execution window on an index calculation day, the intraday underlying index level is calculated as follows:

With respect to execution window i=1 on day t

The sum of:

(1)The product of (a) the VWAP of the futures contract calculated using the first execution window on day t minus the VWAP of the futures contract calculated for execution window #7 with respect to the prior index calculation day (day t-1) and (b) the number of futures contract units as of the final observation window on day t-1; and

(2)the closing level of the underlying index with respect to day t-1.

With respect to execution windows i=2 through i=6 on day t

The sum of:

(1)The product of (a) the VWAP of the futures contract calculated using the first execution window on day t minus the VWAP of the futures contract calculated for execution window #7 with respect to the prior index calculation day (day t-1) and (b) the number of futures contract units as of the final observation window on day t-1;

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(2)the closing level of the underlying index with respect to day t-1; and

(3)the sum of the product of (a) the VWAP of the futures contract calculated for execution window i minus the VWAP of the futures contract calculated for the prior execution window i-1 and (b) the number of futures contract units as of the prior observation window i-1 for each of the execution windows on day t from and including execution window #2 through and including execution window i.

With respect to execution window i=7 on day t

The intraday index level with respect to execution window #7 on day t will be equal to the closing level of the underlying index with respect to day t.

Volume-Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”)

The closing level of the underlying index is in part calculated based on VWAPs of the futures contract calculated during different windows of time on the relevant index calculation days. The VWAP for the futures contract over a specific observation window is calculated by taking the sum of the products of (i) the price of a trade and (ii) the volume of such trade for all trades that occur within such observation window, and then dividing such sum by the total volume of trades that occur within the applicable observation window.

VWAP Observation and Execution Windows

For a scheduled full trading day, the VWAP observation and execution windows are defined as:

For a scheduled full early close day, the VWAP observation and execution windows are defined as:

All windows described above are in Eastern Time.

For VWAP calculations, trades that occur at times greater than or equal to the start time in a window and before the end time of the window are considered to have occurred within such window.

Calculating the Number of Futures Contract Units

When calculating the cumulative futures contract return, the number of futures contract units in the relevant observation window is calculated based on whether or not such observation window occurs on a day that is five business days prior to the expiry date of the current futures contract (an “index futures contract roll date”).

If day is not an index futures contract roll date, then:

the number of futures contract units as of observation window on day will be equal to

where,

= The weight determined on day at the final observation window

= The weight determined on day at observation window

If day is an index futures contract roll date, then:

for each observation window on day , except for the final observation window that occurs on such day, the number of futures contract units will be calculated as if day were not an index futures contract roll date.

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However, when day is an index futures contract roll date, the number of futures contract units with respect to the final observation will be calculated as follows:

where,

= The number of units of the rolling-out futures contract as of the final observation window N on day

= The VWAP of the rolling-out futures contract calculated using execution window N - 1 on day

= The VWAP of the rolling-out futures contract calculated using execution window N on day

= The VWAP of the rolling-in futures contract calculated using execution window N on day

The weight used to calculate the number of futures contract units in an observation window is based on the target volatility level for the underlying index and the realized volatility of the futures contract. There is a 35% cap on the change in weight from the weight used in the prior observation window, whether such change is positive or negative.

Decrement Deduction

The underlying index applies a 4.0% per annum daily decrement that will adversely affect the performance of the underlying index in all cases, regardless of whether the underlying index appreciates or depreciates. The decrement feature is applied so that 4.0% per annum is deducted daily from the closing level of the underlying index. The decrement is applied daily after any leverage has been applied. Because of the deduction of the decrement, the underlying index will underperform the performance of an identical index without such a decrement feature.

Volatility Targeting

On a daily basis, the underlying index’s exposure to the futures contract is adjusted in an effort to seek a target volatility of 40%. If the volatility level of the underlying index is less than the target volatility of 40%, the underlying index will employ leveraged exposure of up to four times (meaning the underlying index can have up to 400% exposure to the futures contract) to seek to achieve the target volatility. Under no circumstances will the underlying index employ exposure of greater than 400% to the futures contract. If the volatility level of the underlying index is above 40%, the underlying index’s exposure to the futures contract will be reduced to be less than 100% in an effort to seek the target volatility of 40%.

Intraday Rebalancing

The underlying index is rebalanced on an intraday basis, meaning that it is rebalanced at the end of each execution window that occurs on an index calculation day. Certain market disruption events, such as an unscheduled full-day market closure, may affect the timing of a rebalancing so that such rebalancing instead occurs on the next business day on which all necessary data is available.

Overview of Futures Markets

Futures contracts are traded on regulated futures exchanges, in the over-the-counter market and on various types of electronic trading facilities and markets. As of the date of this document, the futures contract is an exchange-traded futures contract. A futures contract provides for a specified settlement month in which the cash settlement is made by the seller (whose position is therefore described as “short”) and acquired by the purchaser (whose position is therefore described as “long”).

No purchase price is paid or received on the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Instead, an amount of cash or cash equivalents must be deposited with the broker as “initial margin.” This amount varies based on the requirements imposed by the exchange clearing houses, but it may be lower than 5% of the notional value of the contract. This margin deposit provides collateral for the obligations of the parties to the futures contract.

By depositing margin, which may vary in form depending on the exchange, with the clearing house or broker involved, a market participant may be able to earn interest on its margin funds, thereby increasing the total return that it may realize from an investment in futures contracts. However, the underlying index is not a total return index and does not reflect interest that could be earned on funds notionally committed to the trading of futures contracts.

At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, a trader may elect to close out its position by taking an opposite position on the exchange on which the trader obtained the position, subject to the availability of a liquid secondary market. This operates

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to terminate the position and fix the trader’s profit or loss. Futures contracts are cleared through the facilities of a centralized clearing house and a brokerage firm that is a member of the clearing house.

Futures exchanges may adopt rules and take other actions that affect trading, including imposing speculative position limits, maximum price fluctuations and trading halts and suspensions and requiring liquidation of contracts in certain circumstances.

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