BASE metals on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have closed sharply lower, extending early gains after a stronger USdollar and downbeat sentiment from China weighed upon the complex throughout the session. "Chinese traders returned from the New Year holidays with sentiment showing few signs of improvement," said analysts at Sucden Financial. "Nickel prices lost ground as stops were triggered at the $18,120/ton area -- the eventual dip below $18,000/ton attracted some light buying but for the other metals it seems buyers are still reluctant to step in and happy to remain on the side-lines," they added. Over the balance of this week, the softer tone the metals displayed on Monday could persist, said Ed Meir at INTL FCStone. "We say this in view of the fact that the more recent macro numbers coming out of the US and Europe have turned somewhat soggier of late," he added, tipping copper support at $8,000/ton and resistance at $8,322/ton. Looking further ahead, analysts at Deutsche Bank AG said Monday's price activity belied better fundamental prospects for the base metal group lying ahead. The metals, they said, will benefit from growing expectations for accelerating global economic activity, particularly in China. Favoring lead and copper, the bank said, however, that it expects prices to peak in the second quarter of 2013. Friday PM kerb Aluminum Alloy 1935.0-1945.0 Dn 25 Aluminum Alloy-NASAAC 1950.0-1970.0 Dn 40