Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and BoA Are Pessimistic, Here Is Why

Strategists at major Wall Street banks expressed pessimistic views.

Morgan Stanley predicts the S&P 500 will fall to 3,900 by year-end as the economy slows.

Goldman Sachs sees the S&P 500 ending the year at 4,000.

Bank of America strategists are urging investors to "sell on the last rate hike" and expect the S&P 500 to end the year at 4,000.

Historically, the last rate hike by the Federal Reserve has almost always driven the rise of high-risk assets such as stocks, but this rate hike cycle is accompanied by the "triple triplet" of economic recession, banking crisis and worrying corporate earnings prospects. The market may no longer be able to make optimistic expectations.

ING noted that the ECB's most recent survey of bank lending suggests that the upcoming SLOOS survey is "unlikely to be satisfactory". The group stated: "The recent pressures on the banking sector will significantly tighten lending standards, which will have a significant dampening effect on economic activity and significantly reduce the need for further rate hikes."