Stock Index Chart Patterns – Hang Seng, Taiwan TSEC, Korea KOSPI – Feb 24, ‘12

Chart patterns of the Asian indices are in various stages of recovery from their 2011 lows. Technically, only the Korea KOSPI chart has re-entered a bull market. The Hang Seng chart is about to join the Korean index in bull territory. The Taiwan TSEC index is still struggling to get out of a bear hug.

Hang Seng index chart

The Hang Seng index has climbed almost 35% from its Oct ‘11 low of 16170, and closed the larger of the two downward gaps formed on the chart in Aug ‘11. It has sailed past its 200 day EMA and is correcting a bit after almost reaching the 22000 level. The ‘golden cross’ of the 50 day EMA above the 200 day EMA will confirm a return to a bull market. Note the bullish pattern of higher tops and higher bottoms from the Oct ‘11 low.

Negative divergences are visible in all four technical indicators – three of which touched lower tops as the index rose higher, while the MACD remained flat. The ongoing correction may continue a bit longer. The dip can be used to add selectively.

Note the head-and-shoulder patterns that formed on the ROC, RSI and slow stochastic during Oct-Nov ‘11 even though such a pattern isn’t visible on the Hang Seng chart. The subsequent correction over the next two months turned out to be a consolidation within a symmetrical triangle.

The upward break out from the triangle in early Jan ‘12 was accompanied by increasing volumes, which validated the break out. However, volumes have been sliding ever since the index crossed above its 200 day EMA – raising questions about the sustainability of the rally.

Taiwan TSEC index chart

The Taiwan TSEC index has risen 21% from its Dec ‘11 low of 6609 and past its 200 day EMA on strong volumes, but is facing resistance from the lower end of the large gap formed on the chart in Aug ‘11. The 20 day EMA has crossed above the 200 day EMA, but the 50 day EMA is still a couple of hundred points below the long-term moving average.

The gap on the chart needs to be closed before the index can re-enter a bull market. The technical indicators are suggesting that may not happen in the near term. The slow stochastic is inside its overbought zone, but has started falling. The MACD is positive and touching its signal line, but has also started falling. The ROC is positive but sliding towards the ‘0’ line. The RSI has dropped sharply from its overbought zone.

A correction to the rising 20 day EMA is likely.

Korea KOSPI index chart

The Korea KOSPI index chart has gained almost 25% from its Sep ‘11 low of 1644 and is trading well above its 200 day EMA. The lower of the two gaps on the chart, formed in Aug ‘11, has been closed. The 50 day EMA has crossed above the 200 day EMA. The rally has gained strength during Feb ‘12 – as indicated by the rising volumes.

However, all is not well. All four technical indicators are showing negative divergences by sliding down while the index was rising. A correction has started, and may continue a bit more. The dip can be used to add.

Bottomline? The chart patterns of the Asian indices are in the process of recovering from their brief bear markets. The bulls still have some work left. The bears are unlikely to give in easily. The doomsday scenario painted by many - thanks to the sovereign debt problems in the Eurozone – may not turn out to be as bad as expected. Use the ongoing correction/consolidation to buy selectively.