Talk of month-end USD sales.............>

EURO-DOLLAR: Talk of month-end USD sales reportedly provided the buoyancy to

keep EUR/USD supported at $1.1000, the rate touching this level into Thursday

afternoon trade before it recovered to $1.1011 in a very subdued US Thanksgiving

holiday thinned market. Consolidation through Asia saw rate confined to a tight

$1.1008/13 range. US returns Friday, though staffing levels expected to be low

with US markets closing early into the weekend/month-end. Support remains at

$1.1000 ahead of stronger area between $1.0992/89, a break to expose the

$1.0950/40 area. Resistance $1.1018/26, with traders aware that E1.08bln of

options roll off with strikes between $1.1025/35. Stronger resistance then noted

into $1.1050, with larger option expiries noted between $1.1055-70 amounting to

E2.17bln.

- Release of weaker than forecast Germany Retail Sales allowed rate to extend

range base to $1.1007, though reaction was seen muted. France GDP final Q3, PPI,

HICP and Consumer Spending at 0745GMT ahead of German Employment data at

0955GMT. Focus on EZ flash HICP at 1000GMT.