Written for Business Standard
May 16, 2011: India's leading stock market index--Sensex-- is refueling for a 3700 point move in the near future. The direction of  index depends on the direction of the break from a consolidation pattern.

The NIFTY will also move with the Sensex as both the indexes have similar chart patterns. In November last year, when the markets hit their previous highs from 2008, we had recommended that longs take their profits and aggressive bears initiate short positions. The downside target on the Sensex was 18,000, when the index was at 21,000. 

After hitting it's previous peak in November 2010, Sensex hit the target we had mentioned and went further down to the 17,500 level. However, since hitting the peak the index has moved in a consolidation pattern called a symmetrical triangle. In a symmetrical triangle, price moves in a continuously narrowing range as buyers and seller battle to give market direction, but fail. The narrowing range forms a symmetrical triangle when we connect the peaks and valleys in price.

Once prices break out of the triangle they usually have explosive moves. Right now the Sensex is stuck in the triangle as shown in the graph. If the index closes outside the triangle on the downside, prices will head lower. On the other hand a close above the triangle's borders will take prices higher. Long term traders tend to avoid asset classes moving inside a symmetrical triangle. They take positions only after prices close outside the triangle.

When prices are moving inside the triangle, professional traders consider the asset class to be refueling for the next strong move. Since in a symmetrical triangle the direction of the the move is not predicted with a high degree of certainty,  it's best to wait for prices to close outside the triangle before taking a position. However, the text books state that symmetrical triangles are continuation patterns. This essentially means that Sensex will continue it's upward momentum.

But one thing the text books don't talk about is the location of the symmetrical triangle. Just like the value of square foot of land is much higher in Nariman Point than in the suburbs of Mumbai, so is the location of the triangle. Since Sensex is near it's previous high, which is a strong resistance area, the likely hood of continued rally from the symmetrical triangle is low. However, had the a symmetrical triangle been near 12,000 with prices rising from 8000 the rally would have continued.   

How far the Sensex can go after the break from the triangle is estimated by the measured move. The measured move is the distance between the second touch in a the triangle and the trendline on the opposite side. In the case of the Sensex the measured move is a little above 3700 points. Once the Sensex breaks out of the triangle, 3700 points is applied at the point of break to estimate the target. For instance if the Sensex breaks below at 18,000, then 3700 is subtracted to arrive at a target of 14,300. On the other hand a break above at 19,000 can take the Sensex to news highs of 22,700.