FOREX-Dollar falls amid signs of softening labor market

Dollar falls on signs of weakness in labor markets

* ADP report shows higher than expected job losses in U.S.

* Markets anticipate ECB rate hike to 4.25 pct

(Recasts, adds comments, changes byline)

By Vivianne Rodrigues

NEW YORK, July 2 (Reuters) - The dollar fell against the euro on Wednesday after a report showed the U.S. private sector shed more jobs than expected in June, which may diminish the likelihood of a rate increase by the Federal Reserve.

In contrast, investors bought the euro ahead of an expected interest rate hike by the European Central Bank on Thursday. The ECB is widely seen raising its key lending rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 percent and President Jean-Claude Trichet's news conference after the meeting may indicate further increases.

Higher benchmark rates in Europe will boost the return of euro-denominated assets and weigh on the greenback.