Saturday, April 4, 2020

Sensex, Nifty charts (Apr 03, 2020): in long-term bear markets

During Mar '20, FIIs were net sellers of equity worth a humongous Rs 658.17 Billion. It was their highest monthly net selling ever - exceeding their previous highest monthly net selling (Jan '08) by more than 2.2 times. DIIs were net buyers of equity worth an enormous Rs 555.95 Billion. It was their highest monthly net buying ever - exceeding their previous highest monthly net buying (Oct '18) by more than 2.1 times, as per provisional figures.

Automobile sales during Mar '20 fell off a cliff. The de-growth was the worst ever. Combined passenger vehicle sales fell 51% compared with Mar '19 - with all major manufacturers declaring high double digit falls. Combined commercial vehicle sales crashed 89% YoY. (Growth in CV sales is one of the first signs of economic recovery. India seems very far away from that.)

Despite the revised estimate made in the budget, direct tax collections during FY 2019-20 fell short by Rs 1.42 Trillion from the revised estimate of Rs 11.7 Trillion, and was also lower than FY 2018-19 collection of Rs 11.17 Trillion. 

BSE Sensex index chart pattern



The daily bar chart pattern of Sensex had formed a 'reversal day' bar (higher high, lower close) on Fri. Mar 27. That marked an intermediate top at 31126. Bears ruled on a holiday-shortened trading week. The index lost more than 2200 points (~7.5%) on a weekly closing basis. All three EMAs are falling, and the index is trading below them in a bear market.

Sensex is correcting the 11 year gain of some 34000 odd points from the Mar '09 low to the Jan '20 top. A 50% Fibonacci retracement is expected to drop the index to about 25100. (The index has already touched a low of 25639.)

What if 25100 gets breached? Sensex can fall to 21300 (61.8% Fibonacci retracement level). Will it? A lot will depend on what happens after the lockdown period in India ends on Apr. 14, and how soon the corona virus gets contained in USA and Europe.

Daily technical indicators are in bearish zones after correcting oversold conditions. MACD crossed above its signal line inside oversold zone, but its upward momentum has stalled. RSI is falling towards its oversold zone, after emerging from it. Slow stochastic has fallen sharply towards its oversold zone, hinting at some more near-term index correction.

Those with no prior experience of bear markets should not be in a hurry to enter the market, despite exhortations by experts and fund managers. In a bear market, smart investors make money by selling short - an activity best avoided by small investors. This bear market is not going to end in a hurry. Wait patiently for lower prices.

NSE Nifty index chart pattern



The weekly bar chart pattern of Nifty touched a higher intra-week low after 6 weeks, but bulls need not feel too enthused about that. On a closing basis, the index touched a new 3 year low of 8084, and closed well below its 200 week EMA for the fourth straight week

The 20 week EMA looks poised to cross below the 200 week EMA for the first time in 9 years. All three weekly EMAs are falling, which is a sign of a long-term bear market. However, the 'death cross' of the 50 week EMA below the 200 week EMA - which will technically confirm a long-term bear market - is awaited. 

Weekly technical indicators are looking bearish and oversold. MACD is falling deeper inside its oversold zone. RSI is also falling further inside its oversold zone. Slow stochastic is about to enter its oversold zone. Any technical bounce may induce more bear selling

Nifty's TTM P/E has moved down to 18.22, which remains above its long-term average. The breadth indicator NSE TRIN (not shown) has risen sharply into its oversold zone, hinting at some near-term index consolidation.

Bottomline? Sensex and Nifty charts have closed well below their respective 200 week EMAs for the fourth straight week. Both indices are in long-term bear markets. RBI's desperate interest rate cuts came too late to boost an economy that has been progressively devastated by shocks of demonetisation, unplanned GST implementation and now a virus lock-down. Small investors can continue with their SIPs, but should wait for the bear phase to play out.

2 comments:

SUJAI said...

Sir, How R u?

Subhankar said...

Thanks for asking, Sujai.

Doing as well as possible under the current trying conditions!