The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying index supplement and the accompanying prospectus (collectively, the "Offering Documents") are delivered in final form. The Offering Documents are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Pricing Supplement

Dated January 3, 2019

Registration Statement No. 333-225551

January 2019

(To Prospectus dated October 31, 2018,

Index Supplement dated October 31, 2018

and Product Supplement dated October 31, 2018)

 

Structured Investments

Opportunities in U.S. Equities

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$· Based on the S&P 500® Index

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities (the “securities”) offer the opportunity for investors to earn a quarterly contingent payment with respect to each quarterly determination date on which the closing level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than 80% of the initial index level, which we refer to as the coupon barrier level. In addition, if the closing level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than the call threshold level on any quarterly determination date other than the final determination date, the securities will be automatically redeemed, for an amount per security equal to (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the contingent payment for that quarter. However, if on any determination date the closing level of the underlying index is less than the call threshold level, the securities will not be redeemed and if the closing level of the underlying index is less than the coupon barrier level, you will not receive any contingent payment for that quarterly period. As a result, investors must be willing to accept the risk of not receiving any contingent payment. Furthermore, if the securities are not redeemed early on any determination date and the final index level is less than the downside threshold level on the final determination date, UBS will pay you a cash payment per security that will be less than the stated principal amount, if anything, resulting in a percentage loss that is equal to the underlying return over the term of the securities, and in extreme situations, you could lose all of your initial investment. Accordingly, the securities do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. Investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index. Accordingly, the securities do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. These securities are for investors who are willing to risk their initial investment and seek an opportunity to earn interest at a potentially above-market rate in exchange for the risk of receiving no interest over the entire approximately 12-month term of the securities. The securities are unsubordinated, unsecured debt obligations issued by UBS AG, and all payments on the securities are subject to the credit risk of UBS AG.

SUMMARY TERMS
Issuer: UBS AG London Branch
Underlying index: S&P 500® Index (Bloomberg Ticker: “SPX”)
Aggregate principal amount: $
Stated principal amount: $1,000.00 per security
Issue price: $1,000.00 per security (see “Commissions and issue price” below)
Pricing date: Approximately January 16, 2019
Original issue date: Approximately January 22, 2019 (3 business days after the pricing date). We expect to deliver the securities against payment on or about the third business day following the trade date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days (T+2), unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the securities in the secondary market on any date prior to two business days before delivery of the securities will be required, by virtue of the fact that each security initially will settle in three business days (T+3), to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement of the secondary market trade.
Maturity date: Approximately January 22, 2020, subject to postponement for certain market disruption events and as described under “General Terms of the Securities — Market Disruption Events” and “— Valuation Dates — Final Valuation Date” in the accompanying product supplement.
Early redemption: If, on any quarterly determination date other than the final determination date, the closing level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than the call threshold level, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption amount on the first contingent payment date immediately following the related determination date.
Early redemption amount: The early redemption amount will be an amount equal to (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the contingent payment with respect to the related determination date.
Contingent payment: If the closing level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than the coupon barrier level on any quarterly determination date, we will pay a quarterly contingent payment of $21.25 (equivalent to 8.50% per annum of the stated principal amount) per security on the related contingent payment date.
  If the closing level of the underlying index is less than the coupon barrier level on any determination date, we will not pay a quarterly contingent payment with respect to that determination date.
Determination dates: Approximately April 16, 2019, July 16, 2019, October 16, 2019 and January 16, 2020, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events (as described under “General Terms of the Securities — Valuation Dates”, “— Valuation Dates — Final Valuation Date” and “— Market Disruption Events” in the accompanying product supplement). We also refer to January 16, 2020 as the final determination date. In the event that we make any change to the expected pricing date and original issue date, the calculation agent may adjust the determination dates (including the final determination date) and maturity date to ensure that the stated term of the securities remains the same.
Contingent payment dates: With respect to each determination date other than the final determination date, the third business day after the related determination date. The payment of the quarterly contingent payment, if any, with respect to the final determination date will be made on the maturity date.
Payment at maturity: If the final index level is equal to or greater than the downside threshold level: (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) any contingent payment otherwise payable on the maturity date.
  If the final index level is less than the downside threshold level: a cash payment that is less than the stated principal amount, if anything, resulting in a percentage loss that is equal to the underlying return, for an amount equal to (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the stated principal amount times the underlying return.
Underlying return: The quotient, expressed as a percentage of the following formula: (final index level − initial index level) / initial index level
Initial index level: [•], which is the closing level of the underlying index on the pricing date
Call threshold level: [•], which is equal to 100% of the initial index level
Coupon barrier level: [•], which is equal to 80% of the initial index level
Downside threshold level: [•], which is equal to 80% of the initial index level
Final index level: The closing level of the underlying index on the final determination date
CUSIP:

90270KWJ4

ISIN:

US90270KWJ41

Listing: The securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or electronic communications network.
Calculation Agent: UBS Securities LLC
Commissions and issue level: Price to Public(1) Fees and Commissions(1) Proceeds to Issuer  
Per security 100% 1.25%(a) 98.25%  
    +0.50%(b)    
    1.75%    
Total $• $• $•  

 

  (1) UBS Securities LLC will purchase from UBS AG the securities at the price to public less a fee of $17.50 per $1,000.00 stated principal amount of securities. UBS Securities LLC will agree to resell all of the securities to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley Wealth Management”) at an underwriting discount which reflects:
    (a) a fixed sales commission of $12.50 per $1,000.00 stated principal amount of securities that Morgan Stanley Wealth Management sells and
    (b) a fixed structuring fee of $5.00 per $1,000.00 stated principal amount of securities that Morgan Stanley Wealth Management sells,
    each payable to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. See “Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution (conflicts of interest); secondary markets if any”.

 

The estimated initial value of the securities as of the pricing date is expected to be between $950.10 and $980.10. The range of the estimated initial value of the securities was determined on the date hereof by reference to UBS’ internal pricing models, inclusive of the internal funding rate. For more information about secondary market offers and the estimated initial value of the securities, see “Risk Factors — Fair value considerations” and “— Limited or no secondary market and secondary market price considerations” on pages 11 and 12 of this document.

The securities involve risks not associated with an investment in ordinary debt securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this document, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying index supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The securities are not bank deposits and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

You should read this document together with the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying index supplement and the accompanying prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below, before you decide to invest.

 

Product supplement dated October 31, 2018 Index supplement dated October 31, 2018 Prospectus dated October 31, 2018

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

Additional Information about UBS and the Securities

UBS AG (“UBS”) has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus as supplemented by a product supplement and an index supplement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the securities to which this document relates. Before you invest, you should read these documents and any other documents relating to this offering that UBS has filed with the SEC for more complete information about UBS and this offering. You may obtain these documents for free from the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC web site is 0001114446.

You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows:

Prospectus dated October 31, 2018:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1114446/000119312518314003/d612032d424b3.htm
Index Supplement dated October 31, 2018:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1114446/000091412118002083/ub46174419-424b2.htm
Product Supplement dated October 31, 2018:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1114446/000091412118002085/ub47016353-424b2.htm

References to “UBS”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer only to UBS AG and not to its consolidated subsidiaries. In this document, the “securities” refer to the Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities that are offered hereby. Also, references to the “accompanying prospectus” mean the UBS prospectus titled “Debt Securities and Warrants”, dated October 31, 2018, references to the “accompanying index supplement” mean the UBS index supplement, dated October 31, 2018 and references to the “accompanying product supplement” mean the UBS product supplement titled “Market-Linked Securities Product Supplement”, dated October 31, 2018.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this document, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying index supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this document, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying index supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

UBS reserves the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase, the securities prior to their issuance. In the event of any changes to the terms of the securities, UBS will notify you and you will be asked to accept such changes in connection with your purchase. You may also choose to reject such changes in which case UBS may reject your offer to purchase.

In the event of any discrepancies between this document, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying index supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the following hierarchy will govern: first, this document; second, the accompanying product supplement; third the accompanying index supplement; and finally, the accompanying prospectus.

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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

Investment Summary

The Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020 based on the S&P 500® Index, which we refer to as the securities, provide an opportunity for investors to earn a quarterly contingent payment, which will be an amount equal to $21.25 (equivalent to 8.50% per annum of the stated principal amount) per security, with respect to each quarterly determination date on which the closing level or the final index level, as applicable, of the underlying index is equal to or greater than 80% of the initial index level, which we refer to as the coupon barrier level. The contingent payment, if any, will be payable quarterly on the relevant contingent payment date, which is the third business day after the related determination date. It is possible that the closing level of the underlying index could remain below the coupon barrier level for extended periods of time or even throughout the term of the securities so that you may receive few or no contingent payments.

If the closing level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than the call threshold level on any of the determination dates other than the final determination date, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption amount equal to (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the contingent payment with respect to the related determination date. If the securities have not previously been redeemed and the final index level is equal to or greater than the downside threshold level, the payment due at maturity will be (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the contingent payment otherwise payable on the maturity date. However, if the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity and the final index level is less than the downside threshold level, the payment due at maturity will be a cash payment that is less than the stated principal amount, if anything, resulting in a percentage loss that is equal to the underlying return, for an amount equal to (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the stated principal amount times the underlying return. The value of such cash payment will be less than 80% 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 some and, in extreme situations, all of their initial investment and also the risk of not receiving any contingent payments. In addition, investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index.

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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

Key Investment Rationale

The securities offer the opportunity for investors to earn a quarterly contingent payment equal to $21.25 (equivalent to 8.50% per annum of the stated principal amount) per security, with respect to each quarterly determination date on which the closing level or the final index level, as applicable, of the underlying index is equal to or greater than 80% of the initial index level, which we refer to as the coupon barrier level. The securities may be redeemed prior to maturity for an early redemption amount equal to (i) the stated principal amount per security plus (ii) the applicable contingent payment, and the payment at maturity will vary depending on the final index level, as follows:

Scenario 1

On any of the determination dates other than the final determination date, the closing level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than the call threshold level.

      The securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption amount equal to (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the contingent payment with respect to the related determination date.

      Investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index.

Scenario 2

The securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final index level is equal to or greater than the downside threshold level.

      The payment due at maturity will be (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the contingent payment otherwise payable on the maturity date.

      Investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index.

Scenario 3

The securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final index level is less than the downside threshold level.

      The payment due at maturity will be a cash payment that is less than the stated principal amount, if anything, resulting in a percentage loss that is equal to the underlying return, for an amount equal to (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the stated principal amount times the underlying return.

      Investors will lose a significant portion or, in extreme situations, all of their initial investment in this scenario.

Investing in the securities involves significant risks. You may lose a significant portion or, in extreme situations, all of your initial investment. Any payment on the securities, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the creditworthiness of UBS. If UBS were to default on its payment obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the securities and you could lose all of your initial investment.

The securities will not pay a contingent payment if the closing level of the underlying index is less than the coupon barrier level on a determination date. The securities will not be subject to an early redemption if the underlying index is less than the call threshold level on a determination date. If the securities are not redeemed prior to the final determination date, you will lose a significant portion or, in extreme situations, all of your initial investment at maturity if the closing level of the underlying index is less than the downside threshold level.

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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

Investor Suitability

The securities may be suitable for you if:

You fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the securities, including the risk of loss of all of your initial investment.
You can tolerate a loss of a significant portion or all of your initial investment and are willing to make an investment that may have the same downside market risk as a hypothetical investment in the underlying index.
You believe the closing level of the underlying index will be equal to or greater than the coupon barrier level on each determination date and the downside threshold level on the final determination date.
You understand and accept that you will not participate in any appreciation in the level of the underlying index and that any potential positive return is limited to the quarterly contingent payments.
You can tolerate fluctuations in the level of the securities prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside level fluctuations of the underlying index.
You would be willing to invest in the securities based on the contingent payment specified on the cover hereof.
You are willing to forgo any dividends paid on stocks comprising the underlying index (the “index constituent stocks”) and you do not seek guaranteed current income from this investment.
You are willing to invest in securities that may be redeemed prior to the maturity date and you are otherwise willing to hold such securities to maturity, a term of approximately 12 months, and accept that there may be little or no secondary market.
You understand and are willing to accept the risks associated with the underlying index.
You are willing to assume the credit risk of UBS for all payments under the securities, and understand that if UBS defaults on its obligations you may not receive any amounts due to you including any repayment of principal.
You understand that the estimated initial value of the securities determined by our internal pricing models is lower than the issue price and that, should UBS Securities LLC or any affiliate make secondary markets for the securities, the price (not including their customary bid-ask spreads) will temporarily exceed the internal pricing model price.

The securities may not be suitable for you if:

You do not fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the securities, including the risk of loss of all of your initial investment.
You require an investment designed to provide a full return of principal at maturity.
You cannot tolerate a loss of a significant portion or all of your initial investment, or you are not willing to make an investment that may have the same downside market risk as a hypothetical investment in the underlying index.
You believe that the closing level of the underlying index will decline during the term of the securities and is likely to be less than the coupon barrier level on one or more determination dates or the downside threshold level on the final determination date.
You seek an investment that participates in the appreciation in the level of the underlying index or that has unlimited return potential.
You cannot tolerate fluctuations in the price of the securities prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside fluctuations of the underlying index.
You would be unwilling to invest in the securities based on the quarterly contingent payment specified on the cover hereof.
You prefer to receive the dividends paid on the index constituent stocks or you seek guaranteed current income from this investment.
You are unable or unwilling to hold securities that may be redeemed prior to the maturity date, or you are otherwise unable or unwilling to hold such securities to maturity, a term of approximately 12 months, or you seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.
You do not understand and are not willing to accept the risks associated with the underlying index.
You are not willing to assume the credit risk of UBS for all payments under the securities, including any repayment of principal.

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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

How the Securities Work

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

Diagram #1: Determination Dates Other Than the Final Determination Date

Diagram #2: 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” beginning on the following page.

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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

Hypothetical Examples

The below examples are based on the following terms and are purely hypothetical (the actual terms of your security will be determined on the pricing date and will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement; amounts may have been rounded for ease of analysis):

Hypothetical Initial Index Level: 2,500
Hypothetical Call Threshold Level: 2,500
Hypothetical Coupon Barrier Level: 2,000, which is 80% of the initial index level
Hypothetical Downside Threshold Level: 2,000, which is 80% of the initial index level
Hypothetical Quarterly Contingent Payment:* $21.25 per security (equivalent to 8.50% per annum of the stated principal amount)
Stated Principal Amount: $1,000.00 per security

In Examples 1 and 2, the closing level of the underlying index fluctuates over the term of the securities and is equal to or greater than the hypothetical call threshold level on one of the first three determination dates. Because the closing level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than the call threshold level on one of the first three determination dates, the securities are automatically redeemed on the related contingent payment date. In Examples 3 and 4, the closing level of the underlying index on each of the first three determination dates is less than the call threshold level, and, consequently, the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to, and remain outstanding until, maturity.

  Example 1 Example 2
Determination Dates Hypothetical Closing Level Contingent Payment Early Redemption Amount Hypothetical Closing Level Contingent Payment Early Redemption Amount
#1

2,500

(equal to or greater than coupon barrier level and call threshold level)

$21.25 $1,021.25

2,300

(equal to or greater than coupon barrier level; less than call threshold level)

$21.25 N/A
#2 N/A N/A N/A 1,900
(less than coupon barrier level and call threshold level)
$0 N/A
#3 N/A N/A N/A

3,000

(equal to or greater than coupon barrier level and call threshold level)

—* $1,021.25
Final Determination Date N/A N/A N/A   N/A N/A
Payment at Maturity N/A N/A

* The early redemption amount includes the unpaid contingent payment with respect to the determination date on which the closing level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than the call threshold level and the securities are redeemed as a result.

§In Example 1, the securities are automatically redeemed following the first determination date as the closing level of the underlying index on the first determination date is equal to or greater than the call threshold level. As the closing level of the underlying index on the first determination date is greater than the coupon barrier level and call threshold level, the notes are automatically redeemed early. Following the first determination date, you receive an early redemption amount of $1,021.25, which includes the quarterly contingent payment with respect to the first determination date. You receive the early redemption amount, calculated as follows:

Stated Principal Amount + Contingent Payment = $1,000.00 + $21.25 = $1,021.25

In this example, the early redemption feature limits the term of your investment to approximately 3 months and you may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. If the securities are redeemed early, you will stop receiving quarterly contingent payments. Your total return per security in this example is $1,021.25 (a 2.125% total return on the securities).

§In Example 2, the securities are automatically redeemed following the third determination date as the closing level of the underlying index on the third determination date is greater than the call threshold level. As the closing level of the underlying

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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

 index on the first determination date is greater than the coupon barrier level, you receive the contingent payment of $21.25 with respect to the determination date. Following the third determination date, you receive an early redemption amount of $1,021.25, which includes the quarterly contingent payment with respect to the third determination date.

In this example, the early redemption feature limits the term of your investment to approximately 9 months and you may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. If the securities are redeemed early, you will stop receiving quarterly contingent payments. Further, although the underlying index has appreciated by 20% from the initial index level on the third determination date, you only receive $1,021.25 per security and do not benefit from such appreciation. When added to the contingent payment received in respect of the prior determination dates, your total return per security in this example is $1,042.50 (a 4.25% total return on the securities).

  Example 3 Example 4
Determination Dates Hypothetical Closing Level Contingent Payment Early Redemption Amount Hypothetical Closing Level Contingent Payment Early Redemption Amount
#1

1,800

(less than coupon barrier level and call threshold level)

$0 N/A

1,950

(less than coupon barrier level and call threshold level)

$0 N/A
#2 1,850
(less than coupon barrier level and call threshold level)
$0 N/A 1,850
(less than coupon barrier level and call threshold level)
$0 N/A
#3 1,900
(less than coupon barrier level and call threshold level)
$0 N/A 1,860
(less than coupon barrier level and call threshold level)
$0 N/A
Final Determination Date 2,300
(equal to or greater than downside threshold level and coupon barrier level)
—* N/A 1,000
(less than downside threshold level and coupon barrier level)
$0 N/A
Payment at Maturity $1,021.25 $400.00

*The final contingent payment, if any, will be paid at maturity.

Examples 3 and 4 illustrate the payment at maturity per security based on the final index level.

§In Example 3, on each of the first through third determination dates, the closing level of the underlying index is less than the coupon barrier level. As a result, you do not receive a contingent payment. Because the closing level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than the downside threshold level on the final determination date, at maturity you receive the stated principal amount plus a contingent payment with respect to the final determination date. Your payment at maturity is calculated as follows:

$1,000.00 + $21.25 = $1,021.25

In this example, you receive the stated principal amount per security plus the contingent payment, equal to a total payment of $1,021.25 per security at maturity. Your total return per security in this example is $1,021.25 (a 2.125% total return on the securities).

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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

§In Example 4, on each determination date throughout the term of the securities, the closing level of the underlying index is less than the coupon barrier level. As a result, you do not receive any contingent payment during the term of the securities. Furthermore, because the final index level on the final determination date is less than the downside threshold level, you are fully exposed to the decline in the underlying index. Your payment at maturity is calculated as follows:

$1,000.00 + ($1,000.00 × Underlying Return)

= $1,000.00 + ($1,000.00 × -60%)

= $400.00

In this example, because the final index level represents a 60.00% decline, you will receive a total cash payment per security equal to $400.00 (a 60.00% loss on the securities).

Investing in the securities involves significant risks. The securities differ from ordinary debt securities in that UBS is not necessarily obligated to repay the full amount of your initial investment. If the securities are not redeemed prior to the final determination date, you may lose a significant portion or, in extreme situations, all of your initial investment. Specifically, if the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity and the final index level is less than the downside threshold level, UBS will pay you a cash payment per security that will be less than the stated principal amount, if anything, resulting in a percentage loss that is equal to the underlying return over the term of the securities.

The securities will not pay a contingent payment if the closing level of the underlying index is less than the coupon barrier level on any determination date. The securities will not be subject to an early redemption if the closing level of the underlying index is less than the call threshold level on any determination date.

Any payment to be made on the securities, including any repayment of principal, depends on the ability of UBS to satisfy its obligations as they come due. If UBS were to default on its payment obligations you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the securities and you could lose all of your initial investment.

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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

Risk Factors

The following is a non-exhaustive list of certain key risk factors for investors in the securities. For further discussion of these and other risks, you should read the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product supplement. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the securities.

§Risk of loss at maturity. The securities differ from ordinary debt securities in that UBS will not necessarily repay the stated principal amount of the securities at maturity. If the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, UBS will repay you the stated principal amount of your securities in cash only if the final index level is equal to or greater than the downside threshold level and will only make such payment at maturity. If the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity and the final index level is less than the downside threshold level, you will lose a percentage of your principal amount equal to the underlying return.
§Contingent repayment of stated principal amount only at maturity. If your securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, you should be willing to hold your securities to maturity. If you are able to sell your securities prior to maturity in the secondary market, you may have to sell them at a loss relative to your initial investment even if the then-current level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than the downside threshold level.
§You may not receive any contingent payments. UBS will not necessarily make periodic payments on the securities. If the closing level of the underlying index on any determination date is less than the coupon barrier level, UBS will not pay you the contingent payment applicable to such determination date. If the closing level of the underlying index is less than the coupon barrier level on each of the determination dates, UBS will not pay you any contingent payments during the term of, and you will not receive a positive return on, your securities. Generally, this non-payment of the contingent payment coincides with a period of greater risk of principal loss on your securities.
§Your potential return on the securities is limited and you will not participate in any appreciation of the underlying index. The return potential of the securities is limited to the pre-specified contingent payment rate, regardless of the appreciation of the underlying index. In addition, your return on the securities will vary based on the number of determination dates on which the requirements of the contingent payment have been met prior to maturity or an early redemption. Furthermore, if the securities are redeemed prior to maturity, you will not receive any contingent payments or any other payment in respect of any determination dates after the applicable contingent payment date, and your return on the securities could be less than if the securities remained outstanding until maturity. If the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, you may be subject to the depreciation in the level of the underlying index even though you cannot participate in any appreciation in the level of the underlying index. As a result, the return on an investment in the securities could be less than the return on a direct investment in any or all of the index constituent stocks.
§Higher contingent payment rates are generally associated with a greater risk of loss. Greater expected volatility with respect to the underlying index reflects a higher expectation as of the pricing date that the final index level of the underlying index could be less than the downside threshold level on the final determination date of the securities. This greater expected risk will generally be reflected in a higher contingent payment rate for that security. However, while the contingent payment rate is set on the pricing date, the underlying index’s volatility can change significantly over the term of the securities. The level of the underlying index for your securities could fall sharply, which could result in the loss of a significant portion or all of your initial investment.
§Reinvestment risk. The securities will be redeemed prior to maturity if the closing level of the underlying index is equal to or greater than the call threshold level on any quarterly determination date other than the final determination date and you will not receive any more contingent payments after the related contingent payment date. Conversely, the securities will not be subject to an early redemption when the closing level of the underlying index is less than the call threshold level on any determination date, which generally coincides with a period of greater risk of principal loss on your securities. The securities could be redeemed as early as the first contingent payment date, potentially limiting your investment to a term of approximately three months. In the event that the securities are redeemed prior to maturity, there is no guarantee that you will be able to reinvest the proceeds from an investment in the securities at a comparable rate of return for a similar level of risk. In addition, to the extent you are able to reinvest such proceeds in an investment comparable to the securities, you will incur transaction costs and the original issue price for such an investment is likely to include certain built-in costs such as dealer discounts and hedging costs.
§Credit risk of UBS. The securities are unsubordinated, unsecured debt obligations of UBS and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. Any payment to be made on the securities, including any repayment of principal at maturity, depends on the ability of UBS to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, UBS’ actual and perceived creditworthiness may affect the market value of the securities. If UBS were to default on its obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the securities and you could lose all of your initial investment.

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§Market risk. The return on the securities, which may be positive or negative, is linked to the performance of the underlying index and indirectly linked to the value of the index constituent stocks. The level of the underlying index can rise or fall sharply due to factors specific to the underlying index or its index constituent stocks, such as stock or commodity price volatility, earnings, financial conditions, corporate, industry and regulatory developments, management changes and decisions and other events, as well as general market factors, such as general stock market or commodity market volatility and levels, interest rates and economic and political conditions.
§Fair value considerations.
oThe issue price you pay for the securities will exceed their estimated initial value. The issue price you pay for the securities will exceed their estimated initial value as of the pricing date due to the inclusion in the issue price of the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance costs and projected profits. As of the close of the relevant markets on the pricing date, we will determine the estimated initial value of the securities by reference to our internal pricing models and the estimated initial value of the securities will be set forth in the applicable pricing supplement. The pricing models used to determine the estimated initial value of the securities incorporate certain variables, including the level of the underlying index, volatility of the underlying index, any dividends paid on the index constituent stocks, prevailing interest rates, the term of the securities, the composition of the underlying index and our internal funding rate. Our internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay to issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities of a similar term. The underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance costs, projected profits and the difference in rates will reduce the economic value of the securities to you. Due to these factors, the estimated initial value of the securities as of the pricing date will be less than the issue price you pay for the securities.
oThe estimated initial value is a theoretical price and the actual price that you may be able to sell your securities in any secondary market (if any) at any time after the pricing date may differ from the estimated initial value. The value of your securities at any time will vary based on many factors, including the factors described above and in “—Market risk” above and is impossible to predict. Furthermore, the pricing models that we use are proprietary and rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, after the pricing date, if you attempt to sell the securities in the secondary market, the actual value you would receive may differ, perhaps materially, from the estimated initial value of the securities determined by reference to our internal pricing models. The estimated initial value of the securities does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your securities in any secondary market at any time.
oOur actual profits may be greater or less than the differential between the estimated initial value and the issue price of the securities as of the pricing date. We may determine the economic terms of the securities, as well as hedge our obligations, at least in part, prior to the pricing date. In addition, there may be ongoing costs to us to maintain and/or adjust any hedges and such hedges are often imperfect. Therefore, our actual profits (or potentially, losses) in issuing the securities cannot be determined as of the pricing date and any such differential between the estimated initial value and the issue price of the securities as of the pricing date does not reflect our actual profits. Ultimately, our actual profits will be known only at the maturity of the securities.
§Limited or no secondary market and secondary market price considerations.
oThere may be little or no secondary market for the securities. The securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any electronic communications network. UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates intend, but are not required, to make a market for the securities and may stop making a market at any time. If you are able to sell your securities prior to maturity, you may have to sell them at a substantial loss. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that a secondary market for the securities will develop. The estimated initial value of the securities does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your securities in any secondary market at any time.
oThe price at which UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates may offer to buy the securities in the secondary market (if any) may be greater than UBS’ valuation of the securities at that time, greater than any other secondary market prices provided by unaffiliated dealers (if any) and, depending on your broker, greater than the valuation provided on your customer account statements. For a limited period of time following the issuance of the securities, UBS Securities LLC or its affiliates may offer to buy or sell such securities at a price that exceeds (i) our valuation of the securities at that time based on our internal pricing models, (ii) any secondary market prices provided by unaffiliated dealers (if any) and (iii) depending on your broker, the valuation provided on customer account statements. The price that UBS Securities LLC may initially offer to buy such securities following issuance will exceed the valuations indicated by our internal pricing models due to the inclusion for a limited period of time of the aggregate value of the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance costs and theoretical projected trading profit. The portion of such amounts included in our price will decline to zero on a straight line basis over a period ending no later than the date specified under “Supplemental information regarding plan of distribution (conflicts of interest).” Thereafter, if UBS Securities LLC or an affiliate makes secondary markets in the securities, it will do so at prices that reflect our estimated value determined by reference to our internal pricing models at that time. The temporary positive differential relative to our internal pricing models arises from requests from and arrangements made by UBS Securities LLC with the selling agents of

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 structured debt securities such as the securities. As described above, UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates are not required to make a market for the securities and may stop making a market at any time. The price at which UBS Securities LLC or an affiliate may make secondary markets at any time (if at all) will also reflect its then current bid-ask spread for similar sized trades of structured debt securities. UBS Securities LLC reflects this temporary positive differential on its customer statements. Investors should inquire as to the valuation provided on customer account statements provided by unaffiliated dealers.
oPrice of securities prior to maturity. The market price of the securities will be influenced by many unpredictable and interrelated factors, including the level of the underlying index, the volatility of the underlying index, any dividends paid on the index constituent stocks, the time remaining to the maturity of the securities; interest rates in the markets, geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, force majeure and regulatory or judicial events, the creditworthiness of UBS and the then current bid-ask spread for the securities.
oImpact of fees and the use of internal funding rates rather than secondary market credit spreads on secondary market prices. All other things being equal, the use of the internal funding rates described above under “—Fair value considerations” as well as the inclusion in the issue price of the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance costs and any projected profits are, subject to the temporary mitigating effect of UBS Securities LLC’s and its affiliates’ market making premium, expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the securities in any secondary market.
§There can be no assurance that the investment view implicit in the securities will be successful. It is impossible to predict whether and the extent to which the level of the underlying index will rise or fall and there can be no assurance that the closing level of the underlying index will be equal to or greater than the coupon barrier level on any determination date or, if the securities are not redeemed prior to maturity, that the final index level will be equal to or greater than the downside threshold level. The level of the underlying index will be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors that affect the issuers of the index constituent stocks (the “index constituent stock issuers”). You should be willing to accept the risks associated with the relevant markets tracked by the underlying index in general and the index constituent stocks in particular, and the risk of losing a significant portion or all of your initial investment.
§The underlying index reflects price return, not total return. The return on your securities is based on the performance of the underlying index, which reflect the changes in the market prices of the index constituent stocks. It is not, however, linked to a “total return” index or strategy, which, in addition to reflecting those price returns, would also reflect any dividends paid on the index constituent stocks. The return on your securities will not include such a total return feature or dividend component.
§Changes affecting the underlying index could have an adverse effect on the value of the securities. The policies of the index sponsor as specified under “Information About the Underlying Indices” (the "index sponsor"), concerning additions, deletions and substitutions of the index constituent stocks and the manner in which the index sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting those index constituent stocks may adversely affect the level of the underlying index. The policies of the index sponsors with respect to the calculation of the underlying index could also adversely affect the level of the underlying index. The index sponsor may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of the underlying index. Any such actions could have an adverse effect on the value of the securities.
§There is no affiliation between the index sponsor and UBS, and UBS is not responsible for any disclosure by the index sponsor. We or our affiliates may currently, or from time to time engage in business with the index sponsors. However, we and our affiliates are not affiliated with the index sponsor and have no ability to control or predict their actions. You, as an investor in the securities, should conduct your own independent investigation of the index sponsor and the underlying index for your securities. The index sponsor is not involved in the securities offered hereby in any way and has no obligation of any sort with respect to your securities. The index sponsor has no obligation to take your interests into consideration for any reason, including when taking any actions that might affect the value of your securities.
§Potential UBS impact on an underlying index or index constituent stock. Trading or transactions by UBS or its affiliates in an underlying index or any index constituent stock, listed and/or over the counter options, futures, exchange-traded funds or other instruments with return linked to the performance of that underlying index or any index constituent stock, may adversely affect the market price(s) or level(s) of that underlying index on any determination date or the final determination date and, therefore, the market value of the securities and any payout to you of any contingent payments or at maturity.
§Potential conflict of interest. UBS and its affiliates may engage in business any index constituent stock issuer, which may present a conflict between the obligations of UBS and you, as a holder of the securities. There are also potential conflicts of interest between you and the calculation agent, which will be an affiliate of UBS and which will make potentially subjective judgments. The calculation agent will determine whether the contingent payment is payable to you on any contingent payment date, whether the securities are subject to an early redemption and the payment at maturity of the securities, if any, based on observed closing levels of the underlying index. The calculation agent can postpone the determination of the initial index level, closing level or final index level of the underlying index (and therefore the related contingent payment date or maturity date, as

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 applicable) if a market disruption event occurs and is continuing, on the pricing date, any determination date or the final determination date, respectively.
 As UBS determines the economic terms of the securities, including the contingent payment, call threshold level, coupon barrier level and downside threshold levels, and such terms include the underwriting discount, hedging costs, issuance costs and projected profits, the securities represent a package of economic terms. There are other potential conflicts of interest insofar as an investor could potentially get better economic terms if that investor entered into exchange-traded and/or OTC derivatives or other instruments with third parties, assuming that such instruments were available and the investor had the ability to assemble and enter into such instruments.
§Potentially inconsistent research, opinions or recommendations by UBS. UBS and its affiliates publish research from time to time on financial markets and other matters that may influence the value of the securities, or express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the securities. Any research, opinions or recommendations expressed by UBS or its affiliates may not be consistent with each other and may be modified from time to time without notice. Investors should make their own independent investigation of the merits of investing in the securities and the underlying index to which the securities are linked.
§The securities are not bank deposits. An investment in the securities carries risks which are very different from the risk profile of a bank deposit placed with UBS or its affiliates. The securities have different yield and/or return, liquidity and risk profiles and would not benefit from any protection provided to deposits.
§If UBS experiences financial difficulties, FINMA has the power to open restructuring or liquidation proceedings in respect of, and/or impose protective measures in relation to, UBS, which proceedings or measures may have a material adverse effect on the terms and market value of the securities and/or the ability of UBS to make payments thereunder. The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (“FINMA”) has broad statutory powers to take measures and actions in relation to UBS if (i) it concludes that there is justified concern that UBS is over-indebted or has serious liquidity problems or (ii) UBS fails to fulfil the applicable capital adequacy requirements (whether on a standalone or consolidated basis) after expiry of a deadline set by FINMA. If one of these pre-requisites is met, FINMA is authorized to open restructuring proceedings or liquidation (bankruptcy) proceedings in respect of, and/or impose protective measures in relation to, UBS. The Swiss Banking Act grants significant discretion to FINMA in connection with the aforementioned proceedings and measures. In particular, a broad variety of protective measures may be imposed by FINMA, including a bank moratorium or a maturity postponement, which measures may be ordered by FINMA either on a stand-alone basis or in connection with restructuring or liquidation proceedings. The resolution regime of the Swiss Banking Act is further detailed in the FINMA Banking Insolvency Ordinance (“BIO-FINMA”). In a restructuring proceeding, FINMA, as resolution authority, is competent to approve the resolution plan. The resolution plan may, among other things, provide for (a) the transfer of all or a portion of UBS’ assets, debts, other liabilities and contracts (which may or may not include the contractual relationship between UBS and the holders of securities) to another entity, (b) a stay (for a maximum of two business days) on the termination of contracts to which UBS is a party, and/or the exercise of (w) rights to terminate, (x) netting rights, (y) rights to enforce or dispose of collateral or (z) rights to transfer claims, liabilities or collateral under contracts to which UBS is a party, (c) the conversion of UBS’ debt and/or other obligations, including its obligations under the securities, into equity (a “debt-to-equity” swap), and/or (d) the partial or full write-off of obligations owed by UBS (a “write-off”), including its obligations under the securities. The BIO-FINMA provides that a debt-to-equity swap and/or a write-off of debt and other obligations (including the securities) may only take place after (i) all debt instruments issued by UBS qualifying as additional tier 1 capital or tier 2 capital have been converted into equity or written-off, as applicable, and (ii) the existing equity of UBS has been fully cancelled. While the BIO-FINMA does not expressly address the order in which a write-off of debt instruments other than debt instruments qualifying as additional tier 1 capital or tier 2 capital should occur, it states that debt-to-equity swaps should occur in the following order: first, all subordinated claims not qualifying as regulatory capital; second, all other claims not excluded by law from a debt-to-equity swap (other than deposits); and third, deposits (in excess of the amount privileged by law). However, given the broad discretion granted to FINMA as the resolution authority, any restructuring plan in respect of UBS could provide that the claims under or in connection with the securities will be partially or fully converted into equity or written-off, while preserving other obligations of UBS that rank pari passu with, or even junior to, UBS’ obligations under the securities. Consequently, holders of securities may lose all of some of their investment in the securities. In the case of restructuring proceedings with respect to a systemically important Swiss bank (such as UBS), the creditors whose claims are affected by the restructuring plan will not have a right to vote on, reject, or seek the suspension of the restructuring plan. In addition, if a restructuring plan has been approved by FINMA, the rights of a creditor to seek judicial review of the restructuring plan (e.g., on the grounds that the plan would unduly prejudice the rights of holders of securities or otherwise be in violation of the Swiss Banking Act) are very limited. In particular, a court may not suspend the implementation of the restructuring plan. Furthermore, even if a creditor successfully challenges the restructuring plan, the court can only require the relevant creditor to be compensated ex post and there is currently no guidance as to on what basis such compensation would be calculated or how it would be funded.

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§Uncertain tax treatment. Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain. You should consult your tax advisor about your tax situation. See “Tax Considerations” herein and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, including the section “— Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards with Associated Contingent Coupons”, in the accompanying product supplement.

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Information about the Underlying Index

All disclosures contained in this document regarding the underlying index for the securities are derived from publicly available information. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to the underlying index. You should make your own investigation into the underlying index.

Included on the following pages is a brief description of the underlying index. This information has been obtained from publicly available sources. Set forth below is a table that provides the quarterly closing high and quarterly closing low for the underlying index. The information given below is for the specified calendar quarters. We obtained the closing level information set forth below from Bloomberg Professional® service (“Bloomberg”),without independent verification. You should not take the historical prices of the underlying index as an indication of future performance.

S&P 500® Index

We have derived all information regarding the S&P 500® Index (“SPX”) contained in this document, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components from publicly available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (its “index sponsor” or “S&P Dow Jones”).

SPX is published by S&P Dow Jones, but S&P Dow Jones has no obligation to continue to publish SPX, and may discontinue publication of SPX at any time. SPX is determined, comprised and calculated by S&P Dow Jones without regard to the Notes.

As discussed more fully in the accompanying index supplement under the heading “Underlying Indices and Underlying Index Publishers — S&P 500® Index”, SPX is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement. The calculation of the value of SPX is based on the relative value of the aggregate market value of the common stock of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. Eleven main groups of companies comprise SPX, with the percentage weight of each group in the index as a whole as of December 31, 2018 as follows: Information Technology (20.1%); Health Care (15.5%); Financials (13.3%); Communication Services (10.1%); Consumer Discretionary (9.9%); Industrials (9.2%); Consumer Staples (7.4%); Energy (5.3%); Utilities (3.3%); Real Estate (3.0%); and Materials (2.7%). As of the close of business on September 21, 2018, the index sponsor broadened the current Telecommunication Services Sector and renamed it Communication Services. The renamed Sector includes the existing telecommunication companies, as well as companies selected from the Consumer Discretionary Sector previously currently classified under the Media Industry Group and the Internet & Direct Marketing Retail Sub-Industry, along with select companies currently previously classified in the Information Technology Sector. Effective March 10, 2017, company additions to the underlying asset should have an unadjusted company market capitalization of $6.1 billion or more (an increase from the previous requirement of an unadjusted company market capitalization of $5.3 billion or more).

Information from outside sources is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this document or any document incorporated herein by reference. UBS has not conducted any independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information with respect to SPX.

Information as of market close on January 2, 2019:

Bloomberg Ticker Symbol: SPX 52 Week High (on September 20, 2018): 2,930.75
Current Index Level: 2,510.03 52 Week Low (on December 24, 2018): 2,351.10
52 Weeks Ago (on January 2, 2018): 2,695.81    

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Historical Information

The table below sets forth the published high and low closing levels, as well as end-of-quarter closing levels, of the underlying index for the specified period. The closing level of the underlying index on January 2, 2019 was 2,510.03. The associated graph shows the closing levels of the underlying index for each day from January 1, 2009 to January 2, 2019. The dotted lines represent a hypothetical downside threshold level and hypothetical coupon barrier level of 2,008.02 and a hypothetical call threshold level of 2,510.03, which are equal to 80% and 100%, respectively, of the closing level on January 2, 2019. The actual coupon barrier level, downside threshold level and call threshold level will be set on the pricing date. We obtained the information in the table below from Bloomberg, without independent verification. UBS has not undertaken an independent review or due diligence of any publicly available information obtained from Bloomberg. The historical performance of the underlying index should not be taken as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the closing level of the underlying index at any time, including the determination dates.

S&P 500® Index High Low Period End
2015      
First Quarter 2,117.39 1,992.67 2,067.89
Second Quarter 2,130.82 2,057.64 2,063.11
Third Quarter 2,128.28 1,867.61 1,920.03
Fourth Quarter 2,109.79 1,923.82 2,043.94
2016      
First Quarter 2,063.95 1,829.08 2,059.74
Second Quarter 2,119.12 2,000.54 2,098.86
Third Quarter 2,190.15 2,088.55 2,168.27
Fourth Quarter 2,271.72 2,085.18 2,238.83
2017      
First Quarter 2,395.96 2,257.83 2,362.72
Second Quarter 2,453.46 2,328.95 2,423.41
Third Quarter 2,519.36 2,409.75 2,519.36
Fourth Quarter 2,690.16 2,529.12 2,673.61
2018      
First Quarter 2,872.87 2,581.00 2,640.87
Second Quarter 2,786.85 2,581.88 2,718.37
Third Quarter 2,930.75 2,713.22 2,913.98
Fourth Quarter 2,925.51 2,351.10 2,506.85
2019      
First Quarter (Through January 2, 2019) 2,510.03 2,510.03 2,510.03

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  S&P 500® Index – Daily Closing Levels
January 1, 2009 to January 2, 2019

 

 

This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the underlying index or other securities linked to the underlying index. We have derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding the underlying index from the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraphs. In connection with the offering of the securities, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the underlying index.

Neither the issuer nor any of its affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of the underlying index.

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Additional Information about the Securities

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

 

Additional Provisions:  
Record date:

The record date for each contingent payment date shall be the date one business day prior to such scheduled contingent payment date; provided, however, that any contingent payment payable at maturity or upon redemption shall be payable to the person to whom the payment at maturity or early redemption amount, as the case may be, shall be payable.

Trustee: U.S. Bank Trust National Association
Calculation agent: UBS Securities LLC
Tax considerations:

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the securities are uncertain. There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of securities with terms that are substantially the same as the securities. Some of these tax consequences are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed discussion in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, including the section “— Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards with Associated Contingent Coupons” in the accompanying product supplement and to discuss the tax consequences of your particular situation with your tax advisor. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) regulations, rulings and decisions, in each case, as available and in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Tax consequences under state, local and non-U.S. laws are not addressed herein. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the securities, and the following discussion is not binding on the IRS.

U.S. Tax Treatment. Pursuant to the terms of the securities, UBS and you agree, in the absence of a statutory or regulatory change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize the securities as prepaid derivative contracts with respect to the underlying index. If your securities are so treated, any contingent coupon that is paid by UBS (including on the maturity date or upon early redemption) should be included in your income as ordinary income in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In addition, excluding amounts attributable to any contingent payment, you should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the taxable disposition of your securities in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time (other than amounts or proceeds attributable to a contingent payment or any amount attributable to any accrued but unpaid contingent payment) and the amount you paid for your securities. Such gain or loss should generally be short-term capital gain or loss. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Although uncertain, it is possible that proceeds received from the sale or exchange of your securities prior to a contingent payment date, but that could be attributed to an expected contingent payment, could be treated as ordinary income. You should consult your tax advisor regarding this risk.

Based on certain factual representations received from us, our counsel, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, is of the opinion that it would be reasonable to treat your securities in the manner described above. However, because there is no authority that specifically addresses the tax treatment of the securities, it is possible that your securities could alternatively be treated for tax purposes as a single contingent payment debt instrument, or pursuant to some other characterization, such that the timing and character of your income from the securities could differ materially and adversely from the treatment described above, as described further under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, including the section “— Securities Treated as Prepaid Derivatives or Prepaid Forwards with Associated Contingent Coupons” in the accompanying product supplement.

Notice 2008-2. In 2007, the Treasury released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments, which might include the securities. Notice 2008-2 focuses in particular on whether the IRS and the Treasury should require holders of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments and the relevance of factors such as the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked. While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments and the issues presented by this notice. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the securities, including the possible application of 30% U.S. withholding tax in respect to the contingent payments.

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income. U.S. holders that are individuals, estates, and certain trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which may include any income or gain realized with respect to the securities, to the extent of their net investment income that when added to their other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried

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individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse), $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return or the dollar amount at which the highest tax bracket begins for an estate or a trust. The 3.8% Medicare tax is determined in a different manner than the income tax. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to their consequences with respect to the 3.8% Medicare tax.

Specified Foreign Financial Assets. U.S. holders may be subject to reporting obligations with respect to their securities if they do not hold their securities in an account maintained by a financial institution and the aggregate value of their securities and certain other “specified foreign financial assets” (applying certain attribution rules) exceeds an applicable threshold. Significant penalties can apply if a U.S. holder is required to disclose its securities and fails to do so.

Non-U.S. Holders. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the contingent payments is unclear. Subject to Section 871(m) of the Code and FATCA, as discussed below, our counsel is of the opinion that contingent payments paid to a non-U.S. holder that provides us (and/or the applicable withholding agent) with a fully completed and validly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 should not be subject to U.S. withholding tax and we do not intend to withhold any tax on contingent payments. However, it is possible that the IRS could assert that such payments are subject to U.S. withholding tax, or that another withholding agent may otherwise determine that withholding is required, in which case we or the other withholding agent may withhold up to 30% on such payments (subject to reduction or elimination of such withholding tax pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty). We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. Subject to Section 897 of the Code and Section 871(m) of the Code, discussed below, gain from the taxable disposition of a security generally should not be subject to U.S. tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the U.S., (ii) the non-U.S. holder is a non-resident alien individual and is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of such taxable disposition and certain other conditions are satisfied, or (iii) the non-U.S. holder has certain other present or former connections with the U.S.

Section 897. We will not attempt to ascertain whether any index constituent stock issuer would be treated as a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. We also have not attempted to determine whether the securities should be treated as “United States real property interests” (“USRPI”) as defined in Section 897 of the Code. If any such entity and the securities were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply, including subjecting any gain to a non-U.S. holder in respect of a security upon a taxable disposition of the securities to the U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, and the proceeds from such a taxable disposition to a 15% withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential treatment of any index constituent stock issuer as a USRPHC and the securities as USRPI.

Section 871(m). A 30% withholding tax (which may be reduced by an applicable income tax treaty) is imposed under Section 871(m) of the Code on certain “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to a “specified equity-linked instrument” that references one or more dividend-paying U.S. equity securities or indices containing U.S. equity securities. The withholding tax can apply even if the instrument does not provide for payments that reference dividends. Treasury regulations provide that the withholding tax applies to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on specified equity-linked instruments that have a delta of one (“delta-one specified equity-linked instruments”) issued after 2016 and to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on all other specified equity-linked instruments issued after 2018. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the Treasury and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the Treasury regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments that are not delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and are issued before January 1, 2021.

Based on our determination that the securities are not “delta-one” with respect to the underlying index or any U.S. index constituent stock, our counsel is of the opinion that the securities should not be delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and thus should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Furthermore, the application of Section 871(m) of the Code will depend on our determinations made upon issuance of the securities. If withholding is required, we will not make payments of any additional amounts.

Nevertheless, after issuance, it is possible that your securities could be deemed to be reissued for tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the underlying index, index constituent stocks or your securities, and following such occurrence your securities could be treated as delta-one specified equity-linked instruments that are subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. It is also possible that withholding tax or other tax under Section 871(m) of the Code could apply to the securities under these rules if you enter, or have entered, into certain other transactions in respect of the underlying index, index constituent stocks or the securities. If you enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the underlying index, index constituent stock issuers or the securities, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the application of Section 871(m) of the Code to your securities in the context of your other transactions.

Because of the uncertainty regarding the application of the 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents to the securities, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) of the Code and the 30% withholding tax to an investment in the securities.

January 2019

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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

 

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. Legislation commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on payments to certain non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries) with respect to certain financial instruments, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements have been satisfied. An intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and the non-U.S. entity’s jurisdiction may modify these requirements. This legislation generally applies to certain financial instruments that are treated as paying U.S.-source interest or other U.S.-source “fixed or determinable annual or periodical” income (“FDAP income”). Withholding (if applicable) applies to payments of U.S.-source FDAP income but, pursuant to certain Treasury regulations and IRS guidance, does not apply to payments of gross proceeds on the disposition (including upon retirement) of financial instruments. As the treatment of the securities is unclear, it is possible that any contingent payment with respect to the securities could be subject to the FATCA rules. If withholding applies to the securities, we 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 advisors regarding the potential application of FATCA to the securities.

Proposed Legislation. In 2007, legislation was introduced in Congress that, if it had been enacted, would have required holders of securities similar to the securities purchased after the bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of such securities despite the fact that there may be no interest payments over the term of such securities.

Furthermore, in 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released in draft form certain proposed legislation relating to financial instruments. If it had been enacted, the effect of this legislation generally would have been to require instruments such as the securities to be marked to market on an annual basis with all gains and losses to be treated as ordinary, subject to certain exceptions.

It is not possible to predict whether any similar or identical bills will be enacted in the future, or whether any such bill would affect the tax treatment of your securities. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the possible changes in law and their possible impact on the tax treatment of your securities.

Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the application of U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations, as well as any tax consequences of the purchase, beneficial ownership and disposition of the securities arising under the laws of any state, local, non-U.S. or other taxing jurisdiction.

Use of proceeds and hedging:

We will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities for the purposes we describe in the accompanying product supplement under “Use of Proceeds and Hedging.” We and/or our affiliates may also use those proceeds in transactions intended to hedge our obligations under the securities as described below.

In connection with the sale of the securities, we and/or our affiliates may enter into hedging transactions involving the execution of long-term or short-term interest rate swaps, futures and option transactions or purchases and sales of securities before and after the pricing date of the securities. From time to time, we and/or our affiliates may enter into additional hedging transactions or unwind those we have entered into.

We and/or our affiliates may acquire a long or short position in securities similar to the securities from time to time and may, in our or their sole discretion, hold or resell those securities.

The hedging activity discussed above may adversely affect the market value of the securities from time to time and payment on the securities at maturity. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this document for a discussion of these adverse effects.

Supplemental information regarding
plan of distribution
(conflicts of interest); secondary markets (if any):

Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, UBS will agree to sell to UBS Securities LLC, and UBS Securities LLC will agree to purchase from UBS, the stated principal amount of the securities specified on the front cover of this document at the price to public less a fee of $17.50 per $1,000.00 stated principal amount of securities. UBS Securities LLC will agree to resell all of the securities to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management with an underwriting discount of $17.50 reflecting a fixed structuring fee of $5.00 and a fixed sales commission of $12.50 per $1,000.00 stated principal amount of securities that Morgan Stanley Wealth Management sells.

UBS, UBS Securities LLC or any other affiliate of UBS may use this document, the accompanying product supplement and the accompanying prospectus in a market-making transaction for any securities after their initial sale. In connection with the offering, UBS, UBS Securities LLC, any other affiliate of UBS or any other securities dealers may distribute this document, the accompanying product supplement and the accompanying prospectus electronically. Unless UBS or its agent informs the purchaser otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this document, the accompanying product supplement and the accompanying prospectus are being used in a market-making transaction.

Conflicts of Interest. UBS Securities LLC is an affiliate of UBS and, as such, has a “conflict of interest” in this offering within the meaning of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) Rule 5121. In addition, UBS will receive the net proceeds (excluding the underwriting discount) from the initial public offering of the securities and, thus creates an additional conflict of interest within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. UBS Securities LLC is not permitted to sell securities in this offering to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder.

UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates may offer to buy or sell the securities in the secondary market (if any) at prices greater than UBS’ internal valuation.The value of the securities at any time

January 2019

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Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

$● Based on the S&P 500® Index

 

 

will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted. However, the price (not including UBS Securities LLC’s or any affiliate’s customary bid-ask spreads) at which UBS Securities LLC or any affiliate would offer to buy or sell the securities immediately after the pricing date in the secondary market is expected to exceed the estimated initial value of the securities as determined by reference to our internal pricing models. The amount of the excess will decline to zero on a straight line basis over a period ending no later than 6 weeks after the pricing date, provided that UBS Securities LLC may shorten the period based on various factors, including the magnitude of purchases and other negotiated provisions with selling agents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates are not required to make a market for the securities and may stop making a market at any time. For more information about secondary market offers and the estimated initial value of the securities, see “Risk Factors — Fair value considerations” and “— Limited or no secondary market and secondary market price considerations” on pages 11 and 12 of this document.

Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors

The securities are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”), for offering or selling the securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

Contact:

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management clients may contact their local Morgan Stanley Wealth Management branch office or our principal executive offices at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036 (telephone number 1-(866) 477-4776).  All other clients may contact their local brokerage representative.  Third-party distributors may contact Morgan Stanley Structured Investment Sales at 1-(800)-233-1087.

January 2019

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You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this preliminary pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying index supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this preliminary pricing supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preliminary Pricing Supplement

Summary Terms 1
Additional Information about UBS and the Securities 2
Investment Summary 3
Key Investment Rationale 4
Investor Suitability 5
How the Securities Work 6
Hypothetical Examples 7
Risk Factors 10
Information about the Underlying Index 15
Additional Information about the Securities 18

Product Supplement

Product Supplement Summary PS-1
Specific Terms of Each Security Will Be Described in the Applicable Supplements PS-1
The Securities are Part of a Series PS-1
Denomination PS-2
Coupons PS-2
Early Redemption PS-3
Payment at Maturity for the Securities PS-3
Defined Terms Relating to Payment on the Securities PS-4
Valuation Dates PS-5
Valuation Periods PS-6
Payment Dates PS-6
Closing Level PS-7
Intraday Level PS-7
What are the Tax Consequences of the Securities? PS-8
Risk Factors PS-9
General Terms of the Securities PS-29
Use of Proceeds and Hedging PS-52
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences PS-53
Certain ERISA Considerations PS-75
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest) PS-76

Index Supplement

Index Supplement Summary IS-1
Underlying Indices And Underlying Asset Publishers IS-2
Dow Jones Industrial AverageTM IS-2
NASDAQ-100 Index® IS-4
Russell 2000®Index IS-10
S&P 500® Index IS-15
Commodity Indices IS-20
Bloomberg Commodity IndexSM IS-20
UBS Bloomberg Constant Maturity Commodity Index Excess Return IS-27
Non-U.S. Indices IS-32
EURO STOXX 50® Index IS-32
FTSETM 100 Index IS-38
Hang Seng China Enterprises Index IS-41
MSCI Indexes IS-45
MSCI-EAFE® Index IS-45
MSCI® Emerging Markets IndexSM IS-45
MSCI® Europe Index IS-45

Prospectus

Introduction 1
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 3
Incorporation of Information About UBS AG 5
Where You Can Find More Information 6
Presentation of Financial Information 7
Limitations on Enforcement of U.S. Laws Against UBS, Its Management and Others 7
UBS 8
Swiss Regulatory Powers 11
Use of Proceeds 12
Description of Debt Securities We May Offer 13
Description of Warrants We May Offer 33
Legal Ownership and Book Entry Issuance 48
Considerations Relating to Indexed Securities 53
Considerations Relating to Securities Denominated or Payable in or Linked to a Non-U.S. Dollar Currency 56
U.S. Tax Considerations 59
Tax Considerations Under the Laws of Switzerland 70
Benefit Plan Investor Considerations 72
Plan of Distribution 74
Conflicts of Interest 75
Validity of the Securities 76
Experts 76

 

$•

UBS AG Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due on or about January 22, 2020

Preliminary Pricing Supplement dated January 3, 2019

(To Product Supplement dated October 31, 2018

Index Supplement dated October 31, 2018

and Prospectus dated October 31, 2018)

UBS Investment Bank

UBS Securities LLC