Most merino fleece types finished 20/30 cents dearer last week as expected with China dominating buying, Crossbreds were 5/10 dearer and skirtings and cardings also posting small gains. Sales resume in Newcastle today where the selection is primarily 17.5 micron and finer from the New England region of NSW and bought mainly for the European market, Melbourne and Fremantle sales start on Wednesday. With the exchange rate this morning above 65US cents and November shipments now completed expect a softer market this week with a retracement around 20/30 cents. With only 4 selling weeks remaining and National offerings of only 40-45,000 bales we still expect a solid market leading into Xmas unless the Aussie dollar was to push back up around 70US cents.