Morgan Stanley: Semiconductor Stock Support Could Be 15% Below Current Levels

Morgan Stanley's chief stock-market strategist is maintaining his S&P 500 year-end target of 8,000, but he is flashing caution on the semiconductor sector. In a note to clients, he said support for semiconductor stocks could be as much as 15% lower than current levels. This implies a notable downside risk for chipmakers, which have been a major driver of the broader market rally. The strategist did not name specific companies, but his comments come as investors weigh high valuations and potential demand softening. The warning matters because semiconductors are a bellwether for tech and the global economy. A 15% drop would erase a significant chunk of recent gains and could drag the S&P 500 lower. Morgan Stanley's base case remains bullish for the index, but the sector-level caution suggests selective positioning is needed. Investors should watch key technical levels and earnings guidance from major chip firms for confirmation.