U.S. job openings fell more than expected in April, pushing the number of available jobs per job-seeker to its lowest in nearly three years as labor market conditions soften in a manner that could help the Federal Reserve's fight against inflation.
The dollar steadied on Wednesday as traders pared back on riskier bets in emerging markets while waiting on an interest rate decision in Canada and on U.S. services data.
Oil prices eased in early trade on Tuesday, extending their losses from the previous session when prices fell to their lowest in four months, as investors worried about supply ticking up later in the year.
British manufacturers reported a return to growth last month after a long slowdown, according to a survey published on Monday, but the higher prices charged by firms may add to the Bank of England's caution about cutting interest rates.
Wet weather and ongoing cost-of-living pressures kept a cloud over British consumers in May, with one survey showing the weakest spending growth in more than three years.
Global factory activity offered signs of recovery last month as contraction slowed in the euro zone and manufacturing activity in most of Asia's largest economies picked up, although the U.S. stood apart with output weakening for a second straight month, private business surveys showed on Monday.