895421--2/13/2007--MORGAN

related topics

{capital, credit, financial}

{loan, real, estate}

{competitive, industry, competition}

{operation, international, foreign}

{regulation, change, law}

{financial, litigation, operation}

{system, service, information}

{cost, regulation, environmental}

{loss, insurance, financial}

{gas, price, oil}

{acquisition, growth, future}

{stock, price, operating}

{personnel, key, retain}

{debt, indebtedness, cash}

{operation, natural, condition}

{condition, economic, financial}

{tax, income, asset}

Liquidity is essential to our businesses and we rely on external sources to finance a significant portion of our operations. Our borrowing costs and access to the debt capital markets depend significantly on our credit ratings. We are a holding company and depend on payments from our subsidiaries. If our liquidity and funding policies are not adequate, we may be unable to access sufficient financing. Our results of operations may be materially affected by market fluctuations and by economic and other factors. Holding large and concentrated positions may expose us to losses. The profitability of certain of our commodities marketing activities depends on the availability of supplies of petroleum products. A significant decrease in available supplies for any reason could adversely affect the sales and results of operations of certain businesses within our commodities activities. We may incur significant losses in the real estate sector. We are exposed to the risk that third parties that are indebted to us will not perform their obligations. Defaults by another larger financial institution could adversely affect financial markets generally. We are subject to operational risk and an operational event could adversely affect our businesses. The financial services industry faces substantial litigation and regulatory risks, and we may face damage to our reputation and legal liability. We are subject to extensive regulation in the jurisdictions in which we conduct our businesses. Our commodities activities subject us to extensive regulation, potential catastrophic events and environmental risks and regulation that may expose us to significant costs and liabilities. Conflicts of interest are increasing and a failure to appropriately deal with conflicts of interest could adversely affect our businesses. We are subject to tax contingencies that could adversely affect results. We face strong competition from other financial services firms, which could lead to pricing pressures that could materially adversely affect our revenue and profitability. Our ability to retain and attract qualified employees is critical to the success of our business and the failure to do so may materially adversely affect our performance. We are subject to numerous political, economic, legal, operational and other risks as a result of our international operations which could adversely impact our businesses in many ways. We may be unable to fully capture the expected value from future acquisitions, joint ventures and minority stakes. Our Discover business subjects us to risks that impact the credit card industry. Our hedging strategies and other risk management techniques may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposure in all market environments or against all types of risk.

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895421--2/13/2007--MORGAN_STANLEY