* Asia shares falter, led down by resources/commodities
firms
* U.S. dollar firmer; NZ currency dives after jobless
numbers
* Markets focused on ECB, BOE meetings on Thursday
* Toyota's woes boost carmakers Hyundai, Kia and Honda
* Shanghai copper set to open down sharply
By Dean Yates
SINGAPORE, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Asian stocks fell on Thursday,
with Toyota Motor hitting a 10-month low on investor concerns
over its massive vehicle recall, which in turn helped rival
carmakers buck the broader downward trend and post solid gains.
The U.S. dollar <.DXY> <=USD> was on a firm footing while
the New Zealand dollar <NZD=> dived after a sharp jump in
unemployment, dragging other growth-linked currencies such as
the Australian dollar <AUD=D4> along with it.
Financial markets are expected to remain cautious ahead of
the European Central Bank's (ECB) rate decision and the Bank of
England's monetary policy meeting, both due later on Thursday.
Investors are also awaiting U.S. non-farm payrolls data on
Friday after statistics on Wednesday showed signs of
stabilisation in the job market in the world's largest economy.
Asia Pacific stocks outside Japan as measured by MSCI
<.MIAPJ0000PUS> were down 0.7 percent, with virtually all
sectors in the red, as traders took profits from gains in
recent sessions and after a weaker close on Wall Street, where
stocks slipped on fears of increasing U.S. government
regulation in a host of sectors from banking to healthcare.
[]
Shares of resource firms were the biggest drag on Asian
markets, with the resource sector index shedding 1.4 percent
after a rally in recent days on hopes that a revived global
economy would mean greater demand for oil and metals.
Japan's Nikkei average <> fell 0.6 percent, weighed
down by further selling in Toyota Motor Corp <7203.T>, which
tumbled 3.5 percent.
Toyota's woes worsened after the Obama administration
stepped up pressure on the world's largest carmaker to address
a range of safety issues. []
Its shares have lost more than 20 percent of their value
since a recent high on Jan. 21 as a deepening recall tarnishes
the company's reputation for safe vehicles. The carmaker is set
to report third-quarter results after the market closes at 0600
GMT.
In contrast, Honda Motor Co <7267.T> jumped after the
automaker, Japan's second biggest, raised its annual outlook
far beyond investor expectations and said it anticipated more
growth next financial year. Honda was up 2.3 percent.
[]
"While Toyota has to halt production due to the recall and
will probably have to review its supply chain into next fiscal
year, Honda has surprised us with strong results and has
returned nearly to its best shape," said Yoshihiko Tabei,
analyst at Kazaka Securities.
Shares in South Korean automakers also rallied on hopes
they would pick up market share from Toyota. Hyundai Motor
<005380.KS> was up 3.5 percent while Kia Motors <000270.KS>
gained 2.5 percent.
CURRENCIES EYE EUROPEAN MEETINGS
In currency markets, the New Zealand dollar <NZD=D4> fell
to its lowest in five months, dropping to as low as $0.6965,
from $0.7070 late on Wednesday, after data showed the country's
jobless rate rising to a 10-year high. []
Investors pushed back expectations of a rate rise to June
from April after the surprising data, reducing some of the
currency's high-yield appeal.
The euro <EUR=> was also on the defensive, slipping to
$1.3888, from $1.3894 late in New York on Wednesday. The single
currency continues to be on shaky ground on fresh fears that
Portugal could join Greece as the next country to face fiscal
problems.
The ECB is widely expected to keep rates unchanged at its
meeting on Thursday as financial woes in Greece, Portugal and
Spain endanger the currency bloc's recovery. [].
The U.S. dollar was steady against a basket of major
currencies <.DXY>, with euro zone troubles adding to the view
that the greenback will gain further ground at the expense of
the euro.
U.S. data on Wednesday showed signs of a stabilisation in
the jobs market while the Institute for Supply Management's
index of non-manufacturing companies rose to 50.5, from 49.8 in
December. [].
All that bodes well for the nonfarm payrolls numbers due on
Friday. A Reuters poll of top 20 forecasters estimated 8,000
jobs were added to the economy. []
The Bank of England's monetary policy meeting will also be
in focus on Thursday. The BOE is expected to halt its
quantitative easing program, although interest rates are likely
to be held at 0.5 percent.
Shanghai copper was seen plunging at the open on Thursday,
possibly to its 5 percent downside limit, after a reversal in
sentiment sent London metal sliding to 2-
