MORGAN STANLEY — M&A Activity 2010

Dec 8, 2010

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8−K

CURRENT REPORT Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): December 8, 2010

Morgan Stanley

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware 1−11758 36−3145972 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 761−4000

Not Applicable (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8−K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

• o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
• o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a−12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a−12)
• o Pre−commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d−2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d−2(b))
• o Pre−commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e−4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e−4(c))

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On December 8, 2010, Morgan Stanley (the "Company") announced that it has received all required regulatory approvals for the sale of its 34.3 percent stake in China International Capital Corporation to TPG Capital, KKR, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd and The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited. The Company expects to realize a pre−tax gain of approximately US\$700 million upon consummation of the transaction, which is expected to close before the end of 2010.

The Company's related press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8−K and is incorporated into this filing by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit

Number Description

99.1 Press release of the Company dated December 8, 2010

SIGNATURE

	Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

MORGAN STANLEY (Registrant)

Date: December 8, 2010 By: /s/ Martin M. Cohen

Name: Martin M. Cohen Title: Corporate Secretary Contact: Media Relations Li Xu +86 10 8356−3906 Media Relations Jeanmarie McFadden +1 212 761 2433

For Immediate Release

Morgan Stanley Receives Regulatory Approvals for CICC Stake Sale

BEIJING & NEW YORK, December 8, 2010 – Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) today announced that it has received all required regulatory approvals for the sale of its 34.3 percent stake in China International Capital Corporation (CICC) to TPG Capital, KKR, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd and The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited. Morgan Stanley expects to realize a pre−tax gain of approximately US\$700 million upon consummation of the transaction, which is expected to close before the end of 2010.

"We are proud of our history and successful track record in China," said James P. Gorman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This includes our long partnership with CICC, which made us the first foreign securities firm to have a major stake in a China−based joint venture investment bank. Given the impressive economic and market developments and business opportunities, China remains a critical part of Morgan Stanley's global strategy. Our focus now is to further expand our domestic market platform and capabilities."

Morgan Stanley and China Construction Bank, together with other Chinese and international financial institutions and corporations, jointly established CICC in 1995.

Wei Sun Christianson, CEO of Morgan Stanley China, said, "We are honored to have partnered with CICC. We have enjoyed witnessing its growth and development, and we celebrate its achievements in establishing itself as a leading investment bank in China. We wish CICC every success in the future."

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services. The Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals from more than 1,300 offices in 42 countries. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.