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Cocoa easil

NEW YORK: CSCE cocoa futures ended weaker Thursday, led by heavy losses in the spot month, but the market settled well above nearby chart support, traders said.

The U.S. dollar's sharp rise against the British pound and the French franc was the leading factor behind today's losses, dealers said. December cocoa has slid $21 since the major central banks intervened in favor of the dollar two days ago.

But December pared its losses after the London market closed, when its ability to hold support at $1,285 prompted some short covering.

December ended down $10 a tonne, to $1,309, after trading over a wide range from $1,285 to $1,314. Spot September, which goes into notice period Friday, fell $24, to $1,261, while the rest eased $4 to $7.

The day's volume was estimated at a hefty 17,112 lots.-Reuter