The dollar remained weak in Asia though consolidated Tuesday’s losses against the EUR and GBP while losing further ground against AUD and NZD. Though USD/JPY extended losses in early Asian trading, dropping to 97.09 and triggering stops, USD/JPY bounced on broad JPY cross buying, rising to 97.69. The Nikkei reached eight-month highs, on higher commodity prices, ignoring the weak Japan machinery orders, with the rise in stocks fostering risk appetite and broad-based JPY cross buying from Asian and Middle East accounts. EUR/USD held a range between 1.4050-1.4100 most of the session until a late rally to 1.4102, while GBP/USD consolidated around 1.6295-43. Asian stock markets were broadly higher. U.S. treasury yields were little changed from NY levels as the market waits on the results from the U.S. ten-year auction later Wednesday. NYMEX crude remained above $70 after the rise in the EIA forecast and on reports of Nigerian militant attacks. Gold was underpinned by dollar weakness.