It's time to pick positions in bank stocks heading into year end as peak rates could be a "mini clearing event" for the sector, according to Bank of America. "While we are careful to not carried away, peak interest rates do have potential to serve as a mini clearing event for bank stocks," BofA's Ebrahim Poonawala wrote in a Sunday note.
"While we recognize that no two periods are the same, the combination of discounted valuations and investor comfort around 2024 EPS could lead to another bear market bounce," Poonawala said. "Best case, peak rates could mark near term bottom in bank stocks vs. S & P." To be sure, there remain issues in the sector. Bank stocks are highly tied to the broader economy and their loans could take a hit if the U.S. falls into a recession.