Asian session: The U.S. dollar weakened versus most of its 16 major peers

The U.S. dollar weakened versus most of its 16 major peers on speculation reports tomorrow will show improvement in Chinese manufacturing, brightening the global economic outlook and damping demand for haven assets. Figures due tomorrow may show a manufacturing gauge based on a survey of purchasing managers in China, the world’s second- biggest economy, climbed to 50.2 this month from 49.8 in September, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

The greenback remained lower after dropping yesterday against the yen as Asian stocks rose and U.S. capital markets prepared to reopen today after Atlantic storm Sandy swept through New York.

Appetite for the euro was tempered before data that may show unemployment in Europe climbed to a record, adding to signs the debt crisis is hurting growth. The jobless rate in the euro area probably climbed to an all-time high of 11.5 percent in September, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg before the European Union’s statistics office releases the data today.

The Australian and New Zealand currencies held gains after figures today showed better-than-expected building approvals. Australia’s statistics bureau said today the number of permits granted to build or renovate houses and apartments gained 7.8 percent in September from the previous month, exceeding economist estimates for a 1 percent advance. Building approvals in New Zealand also increased 7.8 percent in the month, according to a separate report, the fastest pace since March.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $1.2955-70.

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $1.6065-85.

USD / JPY: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of Y79.50-70.

At 1000GMT, the release of unemployment data for the eurozone is  due to be published. The German government are due to conduct a press conference in Berlin at 1200GMT. At 1300GMT, Euro-area finance ministers are scheduled to hold a conference call on Greece. US data kicks off at 1100GMT with US MBA Mortgage Applications for the week ending October 26th. US data continues at 1230GMT, with the release of the US Employment Cost Index, which is expected to rise 0.4%in the third quarter following the 0.5% rise in the previous quarter.  More US data is due at 1400GMT, with the release of the US October Help-wanted Online report.