01:35 Japan Manufacturing PMI July 51.5 51.9 50.8

01:45 China HSBC Manufacturing PMI July 50.7 51.2 52.0

New Zealand's dollar slid the most in six months after its central bank warned of the potential for a "significant fall" in the kiwi. The kiwi slid as New Zealand's central bank signaled it will pause its interest-rate increases amid benign inflation and a strong currency. Wheeler was the first central banker from a developed nation to raise official rates this year and today's tightening to 3.5 percent marked the bank's fourth move. A pause would mean steady borrowing costs ahead of a general election on Sept. 20.

Demand for the Australian dollar was bolstered after a Chinese manufacturing gauge rose to an 18-month high in July, adding to signs the government will meet its 2014 economic-growth target of about 7.5 percent. The Asian nation is Australia's largest trading partner.

The euro matched its lowest level since November before data predicted to show a slowing in manufacturing growth. Europe's common currency may weaken with Markit Economics data due today predicted to show a manufacturing index for the euro area slipped to 51.7 in July from 51.8, according to a separate poll. For the U.S., the gauge is projected at 57.5 from 57.3.

The yen remained weaker after a report showed exports unexpectedly declined. Japanese exports declined 2 percent in June from a year earlier, according to Finance Ministry data released today, compared with a median estimate for a 1 percent gain in a Bloomberg survey.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $ 1.3455-65

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $ 1.7030-40

USD / JPY: on Asian session the pair traded in the range of Y101.50-60

UK retail sales data at 0830GMT provides the domestic data focus, median June 0.3% m/m from May -0.5%. Eurozone flash PMI's (France 0700GMT, Germany 0730GMT, EZ 0800GMT) released earlier expected to dictate direction in the euro, with effect on euro-sterling in turn to influence cable.