Chart check: Sensex must cross 37,700 level to attract follow-up buying

Benchmark indices have taken a heavy beating in the last two sessions amid fears that a spike in crude oil prices following attacks on Saudi oil facilities could hurt the economy further. The S&P BSE Sensex on Tuesday tanked 642 points or 1.73 per cent to end at 36,481.09 while the NSE's Nifty50 settled at 10,818, down 186 points or 1.69 per cent. Amid the sell-off, auto and bank stocks have been the worst hit. 

Here's a look at what technical charts indicate for the key indices

S&P BSE SENSEX: The index needs to cross 37,700 level for the sentiment to turn bullish. It did try to hold above its 200-day moving average (DMA) in August, but failed to hold on to the gains. Global developments and developments back home have made the sentiment weak and a fall towards 36,000 – 36,200 levels cannot be ruled out, as per the daily chart. Also, the 50-DMA has crossed 100-DMA on the downward sloping channel, which is a negative sign. A crossover with 200-DMA may further dampen the sentiment.  CLICK FOR CHART VIEW

NIFTY 50: The 50-DMA dipped below the 200-DMA, forming a “Death Cross” as per the daily chart. This gives a clear indication of a breakdown in the index, if it fails to recover in the coming two sessions. It slipped below 200-DMA on July 30 and has made just one attempt to recover. Thereafter, all the trading sessions witnessed hurdle around 11,100-mark. Secondly, after having positive divergence on the Relative Strength Index (RSI), if the price starts correcting further, then the weakness may continue for few more weeks. There is a support at 10,700 and if the index slips below it, sell-off may intensify. CLICK FOR CHART VIEW

BANKNIFTY:  Since July, the Bank Nifty has traded with “Lower lows, Lower high” formation till the concluding week of August. Then, it recovered taking support at 26,560 level but failed to cross the previous high of 28,602. Thereon, the index is witnessing selling pressure in the range of 28,000 – 28,300 levels and its inability to conquer the mentioned range has dampened the upside sentiment. Now, 27,500 has become a crucial resistance and till the index trades below it,  there is a possibility that it may slide further to the support level of 26,800. CLICK FOR CHART VIEW

NIFTY AUTO: The index retraced below 50-DMA after giving a favourable breakout of a symmetrical formation. Now, the lower rising trend line which falls at 6,820, has become the support level. The positive trend may continue till Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) trades above the zero line. In the coming days, buying may be witnessed in the range of 6,900 – 6,880 levels. CLICK FOR CHART VIEW