(RTTNews) - The Australian dollar weakened against its major rivals on Friday in Asia as markets participants are cautiously awaiting the job report from U.S.. The US Labor Department is scheduled to release its monthly non-farm payroll report at 8:30 am ET. Economists estimate that the non-farm payroll employment fell by 105,000 jobs in August following the loss of 131,000 jobs in June. The unemployment rate is expected to edge up to 9.6 percent from 9.5 percent in the previous month. In economic news from Australia, services sector remained in a state of contraction in August, although the rate of contraction slowed according to survey results released today by the Australian Industry Group and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The Performance of Services Index compiled by AIG/Commonwealth rose by 0.9 points in August to 47.5. On the equity front, the Australian stock market pared some gains with a section of investors choosing to take some profits after recent strong gains. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index, which rose to 4,558.7 in early trades, is currently up 5.3 points or 0.1% at 4,538. The broader All Ordinaries index is up 15.60 points or 0.34% at 4,578.60. Among other markets in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Taiwan are trading notably higher, while Shanghai, Singapore and Malaysia are down marginally. The Australian dollar depreciated by 0.4 percent to reach a 2-day low of 1.4141 against the euro around 1:40 am ET from 1.4082 hit late New York Thursday. On the downside, the Australian currency may find support around the 1.4220 level. The pair is presently quoted at 1.4130. The European Central Bank on Thursday left its key interest rate unchanged at a record low of 1% for the sixteenth straight month. The decision came in line with economists' expectations. Against the yen, the aussie reached as low as 76.38 before holding steady around 1:35 am ET. The aussie-yen pair, which finished yesterday's deals at 76.80, is presently quoted at 76.45. If the aussie weakens further, likely support level is seen at 76.20 in near-term. Capital expenditure by Japanese companies continued to decline in the June quarter extending the current sequence of decline to 39 months, official figures showed today. Capital spending fell 1.7% year-on-year between April and June, slower than the 11.5% fall in the preceding quarter, the Ministry of Finance said. This was markedly slower than analyst expectations for a 6.5% fall. The Australian dollar slipped to as low as 1.2711 against the NZ dollar before moving sideways around 1:55 am ET. The aussie-kiwi pair that was worth 1.2752 at Thursday's close is currently quoted at 1.2717. The next downside target for the pair is seen around the 1.2690 level.

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