Trend Changer: Has Nifty Hammered A Near-term Bottom?

Firstly, to inform the readers over here that this post and the discussion of the chart pattern herein pertains only to the 'Near term' trend of the market. The Candle stick chart pattern as depicted in the below attached chart relates to a 'Trend Reversal' Pattern which could signify either a reversal in the prevailing down trend or simply a trend bottom/changer.

Nifty has been in a short-term down trend after witnessing stiff Resistance around 5280 level. The 5 day short term RSI has climbed down from 70 to 15 during the downward journey of markets, yet another hint of market in over-sold zone in near term horizon.

Charts Courtesy: www.icharts.in



Hammering Out A Bottom

Investopedia.com defines a Hammer as, "A price pattern in candlestick charting that occurs when a security trades significantly lower than its opening, but rallies later in the day to close either above or close to its opening price. This pattern forms a hammer-shaped candlestick."

It further adds, "A hammer occurs after a security has been declining, possibly suggesting the market is attempting to determine a bottom.The signal does not mean bullish investors have taken full control of a security, it simply indicates that the bulls are strengthening."

A Hammer is a Bottom Reversal Pattern. The rationale behind the analysis and logic of this pattern formulation is explained as under:

1) The market is in a pronounced downtrend.
2) A candle stick with small real body but a large lower shadow appears at the end of the downtrend indicating some sort of reversal in prevailing downtrend.
3) The bulls took charge of the situation after bears tested the lower waters but could not sustain/hold their short positions with conviction.
4) Taking note of the situation, the bulls took the lead from the front and closed near the day's high with little or no shadow at all.
5) The primary idea from here is that further downward slide could come for a halt atleast for very near term & at best- a trend reversal towards up side could be seen.
6) In very near term, bears can recoup the control over markets only if the lows tested on the hammer forming day is breached.

The pattern is typically characterized by a long lower shadow with a small real body on the top. The color of the real body (white or red) is not of greater significance while studying the pattern. However, a white body gets a first preference as it signifies that markets sold off as a last leg of the near term down trend and bulls were good enough to bounce back to ensure that markets closed near to the highs of the session. The waters at the lower levels were tested and found good enough for a reversal. The pattern signifies that bulls are eager to gain some lost ground in days to come.

Another study that goes into the Hammer pattern is that the lower shadow should be at least twice the size of the small real body on the top. It signifies that bulls attempted a significant come back from the lows to prove it's dominance. However, even without the fulfillment of above condition a Hammer is a hammer, but its effectiveness could be questionable and uncertain. A smaller real body coupled with longer lower shadow will give the hammer a more complete look and meaning. After all, the chart patterns are nothing but the mirror image of a trader/investor's psychology and their collective action put on paper.

Further, it is desirable for traders who want to bet on this reversal chart pattern to confirm the effectiveness of this bullish hammer pattern by checking the follow-up chart signals (of next 2-3 sessions) in look-out for bullish White Candles or even bullish Continuation patterns.


Nifty & Hammer

On January 29, 2009, Nifty established a low at 4765 and from there on bounced back to close at 4880, a little above the day's opening at 4825. This led to emergence of a small real body with a long lower shadow and a very minute upper shadow. Add to it, on the preceding day of witnessing the hammer pattern, the Nifty witnessed a 'Doji' day which is also a trend reversal signal indicating an equal tug-of-war between the bulls and the bears. A Doji followed by a Hammer could be hinting towards a dissipation of prior (short term down trend) trend's force possibly with a last attempt to test lower waters on a Hammering day. Hence, a doji followed by a hammer pattern is a stronger clue of trend change, in direction of the original bullish trend.

Further, if Nifty closes below the low hammered by Nifty at 4765 on January 29, the analysis and prediction of the bullish reversal pattern can be termed as failed/void and could act as a significant stop loss level for Traders.

Note: Quite often, it may also happen that the reversal patterns may play out well in the near term, but the effectiveness of the trend fizzles out eventually over medium term horizon. So, it is necessary to check and update the view in light of changing market times and environment periodically. Like, for example, a bullish reversal pattern in 'Hammer' ensures that markets move up. But, over a period of time, markets may develop yet another reversal pattern but this time in bearish bias in form of a 'Hanging-Man' pattern which signifies a Top, eventually pulling the markets down. So, it is necessary to review chart patterns in the light of passage of time and development of various chart patterns.

Disclaimer: All data, content and/or reports posted by Viral Rajnikant Dholakia on this site are only for information and educational purpose of visitor/readers of this blog. It does not constitute to be a recommendation/offer/advice to buy or sell assets/securities in any form. Individuals/organizations are requested to take an informed call by consulting their Financial Advisor before acting on any matter/data published on this blog. This blog does not warrant of any kind of accuracy, adequacy and completeness of data, ideas or thoughts published in it. This site and Viral Rajnikant Dholakia assumes no responsibility or liability or loss or damage of any kind/nature for your trading and investment decisions and its consequent results.

What Exactly is a Market Crash?

What Exactly is a Market Crash?
Summary of an Article from www.stock-market-crash.net:
http://www.stock-market-crash.net/what.htm

The above site which has wonderfully narrated the periodical moves and psyche of investors towards stock market's bull and bear phases. The site has explained the way in which the so-called 'Smart Money' takes entry into the market by way of gradual accumulation at lower levels where valuations are cheap and below its intrinsic value, but retail investors fret to take entry at this point in time due to over-all saggy investment mood.

The site elaborates as to how smartest accumulation takes place at lowest levels & gradually other lesser smart funds take entry at the 2nd lowest step of market with inside news of recovery spreading over. It further elaborates as to how retail investors remain a mere spectator during the above phases of smart money entry into the market and how the gullible lot enter at valuations which could be termed as 'Fair' but not longer cheap. It says that once the retail investors start earning money fuelled by over-all optimistic environment, the sophisticated lot gradually takes the Exit route and moves towards safety net as valuations move forward from 'Fair' levels to 'Expensive' levels.

The site further cautions our attention as to how a number of companies become public and come out with IPO to sell their story amongst gullible retail investors. The optimism reaches such high horizons that the lessons from the just-witnessed extreme bearish conditions are forgotten and 'Money-making' becomes the mantra from tips and recommendations from Brokerage houses and other smaller agencies.

Note: Readers can Read this Article in Detail by Clicking on the Link attached at the start of this post. This is Not A Paid Review Of Any Kind For The Above Site. I've posted this link for the benefit of the new investors who would find this article helpful in determining the different phases of markets without being carried over by the prevailing phase of excess euphoria which has seen Nifty jump from 2500 to 5000 with in a short time span of just 1 year, which needs some sort of consoldiation/correction before the upward journey flourishes in a big way. I was able to co-relate with some of the inputs in the article with the recently witnessed bust and boom rounds of last 1 year in Indian stock markets.

Readers' Comments Are Welcome From Those Who Are Willing & Eager To Share Their Experience & Lessons From Boom-N-Bust Cycle Witnessed Recently.

Disclaimer: All data, content and/or reports posted by Viral Rajnikant Dholakia on this site are only for information and educational purpose of visitor/readers of this blog. It does not constitute to be a recommendation/offer/advice to buy or sell assets/securities in any form. Individuals/organizations are requested to take an informed call by consulting their Financial Advisor before acting on any matter/data published on this blog. This blog does not warrant of any kind of accuracy, adequacy and completeness of data, ideas or thoughts published in it. This site and Viral Rajnikant Dholakia assumes no responsibility or liability or loss or damage of any kind/nature for your trading and investment decisions and its consequent results.

Markets in 2010

A fortnight away from the dawn of the calender year 2010 and in trying to address queries from some of the readers as to how will the markets fare in this new year, let us do some crystal gazing about the market levels and it's gyration in the year 2010. Doing so could be as tough as gambling with lowest probability of our prediction coming true. The only base that we have to predict the future course of market for here is- the performance of the equity markets in the preceding year 2009 and development and diagnosis of Corporate fundamentals post economic slowdown mostly inherited from global recession.

First, let me jot-down a few determinants which could go down farther in influencing the equity market levels in the calender year 2010:

1) Steep rise in Global financial markets:'V'- shaped Recovery in 2009.
2) Health of Global economy especially US and European Nations.
3) Pace of development of Emerging economies.
4) Sustainability of Corporate Earnings in line with market valuations.
5) Management of Stimulus measures by global Central banks.
6) Control over Inflation: Crude, Metals & Food Article Prices.
7) Fundamental shift in key Policies & Currency Rates.


Coming back to Equity markets in India, which has seen the most extreme of pessimism and optimism in a matter of last couple of years, the benchmark index Nifty has swayed like more than a see-saw from the highs of 6000 levels to the trough of 2500 in the year 2008, only to bounce back from the jaws of slowdown to reach 5250 levels just as I am writing this. The jump has been a spectacular 100% plus from the extreme lows, mostly aided by global recovery led by stimulus measures from various central banks.

The optimism sensed since last one month reminds one of the peak of any bull run where almost all mid-caps and small-caps have participated in the rally with vigour. But, the point to ponder over here is that we have already doubled from the lows in a span of short time of 1 year. Is it possible to keep posting such spectacular gains time and again? Is it possible to register another 20-30% rally in next 1 year?

The answer lies in the fact that if the corporate earnings over next 1 year shows signs of as much of robust growth as equity market returns, it could well be a dream come true. But, if the above condition is not fulfilled and market goes on to notch yet another 20-30% returns in 2010, it could be termed as a 'bubble', which is not backed by appropriate earnings growth from corporate world. The bubble could be due to excess liquidity around the globe or any other reason leading to favouritism and growth of market levels in particular area, with little support from corporate growth.

This draws us to conclusion that most probably the first-half of calender year 2010 could be a year of consolidation or a mild correction. Also, if one takes note of the market rally in last one year, it was in line with most of the global markets and in sync with other emerging market rally. If, for any reason, the global rally is to stop over medium term horizon, it is quite likely that Indian markets will also catch the flue and may need some rest time.

However, based on the highlights and performance of the upcoming March and June 2010 Quarters, markets may bounce back around last quarter of 2010 and possibly first half of calender year 2011. This could be the time, if all is well with the globe, when Sensex and Nifty might try inching to a higher horizon, say, cross previous highs and much higher targets. However, above is simply a guess-work and prediction into the future with no guarantee of what will markets do in times to come.

Disclaimer: All data, content and/or reports posted by Viral Rajnikant Dholakia on this site are only for information and educational purpose of visitor/readers of this blog. It does not constitute to be a recommendation/offer/advice to buy or sell assets/securities in any form. Individuals/organizations are requested to take an informed call by consulting their Financial Advisor before acting on any matter/data published on this blog. This blog does not warrant of any kind of accuracy, adequacy and completeness of data, ideas or thoughts published in it. This site and Viral Rajnikant Dholakia assumes no responsibility or liability or loss or damage of any kind/nature for your trading and investment decisions and its consequent results.