1.   Hedge funds began selling the franc against the mark, traders said, as it became clear the strike would drag on.

2.   Such moves often hurt the dollar because when investors sell francs for marks, they often sell francs for dollars first and then sell the dollars for marks.

3.   Late last month, the resignation of the French finance minister led traders to sell francs and buy marks.

4.   Such rumors sent traders scrambling to buy marks and sell francs, which indirectly weighed down the dollar.

5.   One trader said many operators had begun selling francs.