Stock Index Chart Patterns - BSE Sectoral Indices, Dec 2, '11

The BSE Sectoral index charts were looking down and out when I had looked at them three months back. The Sensex rally in Oct ‘11 was led by the auto and FMCG sectors. The other sectors failed to make much progress.

BSE Auto Index

The BSE Auto index chart has been redrawn from a bearish descending triangle to a more neutral rectangular consolidation pattern. The Oct ‘11 rally propelled the index above its blue down trend line, and all the way up to the 9770 support-resistance level. The index subsequently dropped back inside the triangle to the 8115 level (the lower edge of the rectangle), only to jump up above the down trend line last week.

The technical indicators are correcting the oversold condition but haven’t turned bullish yet. The 200 day EMA is moving sideways with the index oscillating around it. A break below 8115 will push the Auto index into a bear market. Hold.

BSE Bankex

The BSE Bankex had broken below the support level of 11400 in Aug ‘11. The support level turned into a strong resistance level and effectively thwarted all subsequent up moves. The ‘death cross’ in Aug  ‘11 had confirmed a bear market, and the index is falling deeper inside bear territory. Q3 results may be worse. Stay away.

BSE Capital Goods Index

The BSE Capital Goods index struggled vainly to cling on to the support level of 12160 in Sep ‘11, failed to cross above the falling 50 day EMA, and has been sliding down ever since. The sector has been hard-hit by the slow down in infrastructure projects due to the high interest rate regime. It may take a couple more quarters before the sector shows some signs of life. Avoid.

BSE Consumer Durables Index

The BSE Consumer Durables sector tried valiantly to remain in a bull market. The lower top formed in Oct ‘11 seemed to be the last straw that broke the sector’s back, as it plunged into a bear market.

Technically interesting are the three fan lines drawn on the chart. Note how the index kept rising in Sep ‘11 but stopped short of the first fan line. The failure to move above the first fan line was a sign of weakness. The index got good support from the second fan line before breaking below it. A break below the third fan line (where it is currently receiving support) may push the sector deeper into a bear market. Sell.

BSE FMCG Index

The BSE FMCG index is still in a bull market, despite its failure to cross above the first fan line. The 200 day EMA is rising; the 20 day and 50 day EMAs as well as the index are trading above the 200 day EMA. The second fan line is acting as the revised up trend line.

It is the only sector still in a bull market and has prevented the Sensex from collapsing. Now you know why it is my favourite sector. It saves your portfolio during bear markets. Accumulate.

BSE Healthcare Index

The BSE Healthcare index has been trading within a large triangle pattern. In spite of the ‘death cross’ (of the 50 day EMA below the 200 day EMA) in Sep ‘11, the index hasn’t fallen much. It may continue to consolidate within the triangle for some more time before finally breaking out.

Logically, the break out should be upwards, since consolidations tend to be continuation patterns. But triangles are unreliable, so be prepared for a downward break. Hold.

BSE IT Index

The BSE IT index collapsed into a bear market in Aug ‘11. The recovery has been quite stunning. The index rallied for three straight months before stalling at the upper edge of the downward sloping channel. It has been trading within the channel for the past month.

The technical indicators are showing some bullish signs. Unless the Eurozone debt problems get resolved satisfactorily, the IT sector will continue to face headwinds. The good news is that the US economy is finally showing some signs of improvement. Hold.

BSE Metal Index

The BSE Metals index had dropped below its downward sloping channel in Aug ‘11, and has stayed below it – making a series of lower tops and lower bottoms as it falls deeper inside a bear market. Unless the metals sector and the capital goods sector turn around, the Sensex will not be able to come out of the bear’s grip. Avoid.

BSE Oil & Gas Index

The BSE Oil & Gas index is falling within a broad downward sloping channel in a bear market. The government continuous meddling and failing to take tough decisions of decontrolling diesel and kerosene prices is pushing the sector into huge losses and increasing the subsidy burden.

Reliance, the market favourite, is under all kinds of threats and pressures. The company has been an acknowledged expert not just in backward and forward integration of its businesses, but in bending every rule in the book. Thanks to Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign, government officials are now seeing snakes under every rock. Without the support of ONGC and Reliance, the sector will remain in the doldrums. Avoid.

BSE Power Index

The BSE Power index failed to rise above the support-resistance level of 2250 during the Oct ‘11 rally. After breaking down below the downward sloping channel, it is attempting a pullback towards the channel. If it fails to do so, the index may fall much lower. The great hype about the power sector has fizzled out. Avoid.

BSE Realty Index

The BSE Realty sector continues to be the worst performer among the BSE Sectoral indices. After three months of sideways consolidation between 1625 and 1900 the index broke down below the rectangular zone. It is attempting to re-enter the rectangular band but facing resistance from the falling 20 day EMA. Avoid.

(Note: I have suggested a few ‘Hold’s and an ‘Accumulate’. The rest are ‘Avoid’s. That doesn’t mean individual stocks in the sectors should be avoided. One or two may be good contrarian buys. It may be better to avoid basket buying in the underperforming sectors.)