The USD ended near the highs of the day in late New York as the major pairs failed to hold early overnight gains. Despite a higher opening on Wall Street equities gains fizzled as investor confidence started the week on a down note; early excitement over the Chinese stimulus package announced over the weekend did not attract further buying. Traders note that continued concerns over emergency funding requested for the car makers weighed on investors as well as volatility in energy prices; crude oil had near a $6.50 range on the day before giving back gains and closing slightly better.

Rate drops back in thin conditions; resistance is sold but large names on the dips traders say; Russians possibly buying on the dips.  Stops under the 1.2600 area possibly in size.

Traders note large stops at the 1.2950 area with more over 1.3000 but offers likely to cap on first try if a bounce from potential pennant bottom holds. Bids on dips from profit-taking shorts some desks report. Rate possibly getting spillover effect from GBP and vice-versa suggesting both pairs may track each other near-term.

Follow-on selling drops rate, cross-spreaders on the sell side of the sterling pairs kept the rate under pressure. Thin two-way action. Stops under the 1.5500 area drop rate into next support area around 1.5400. Technical trade overnight. Resistance at 1.6000 likely to cap near-term.

Likely more bad news also due this week which will pressure calls for another BOE rate cut next month but that might be factored in. Traders note unwinding of Yen cross-spreads driving a lot of trade after the open.