Dollar steady as traders await key US inflation data

NEW YORK, Aug 11 : The U.S. dollar was steady on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's highly anticipated consumer inflation report for July, which could shape near-term expectations for Federal Reserve policy.Traders trimmed bets on a September Fed hike after Friday's jobs report showed employers unexpectedly cut payrolls last month.A resurgence in inflation could revive those hike bets as the central bank continues to battle price pressures that remain stubbornly above its 2 per cent annual target. Conversely, continued disinflation could further dampen tightening expectations.“So long as this disinflationary trend continues, it's hard to make a case for rates to be going higher,” said Eric Theoret, currency strategist at Scotiabank. Rising oil prices, driven by an elusive deal to reopen the Stra