The euro firmed a touch on Thursday ahead of a policy decision from the European Central Bank (ECB) where traders consider a rate cut all but certain, while the dollar eased on renewed bets of a U.S. Federal Reserve easing cycle expected this year.
Asian stocks rose on Wednesday, while the dollar was steady as a softening U.S. labour market firmed up bets of an interest rate cut in September from the Federal Reserve ahead of a crucial payrolls report this week.
Oil prices extended losses slightly from the previous session in early Asian trading on Wednesday after an industry report showed builds in U.S. crude and fuel stockpiles, adding to concerns around demand growth.
Japan's inflation-adjusted real wages fell in April from a year earlier but slowed the pace of decline as the Bank of Japan looks for early signs of achieving a positive cycle of rising wages and inflation that would allow it to lift interest rates.
China’s services sector grew more than expected in May, private purchasing managers index data showed on Wednesday, as persistent stimulus measures from Beijing benefited some facets of the economy.
The number of job openings in the U.S. fell by more than anticipated in April, in a possible sign of waning labor demand ahead of the Federal Reserve's upcoming June policy meeting.