LONDON, Aug 30 Reuters The euro steadied against the dollar on Wednesday as rising inflation in Germany and Spain led investors to price in a bigger chance of an European Central Bank hike, while U.S. labour market data due later this week is set to give clues on the Federal Reserve rate path.

Spain and Germany inflation releases could give some indication on the bloc39;s wider numbers due on Thursday.

Inflation in Germany39;s most populous state, North RhineWestphalia NRW, rose by 5.9 yearonyear from 5.8 in July, supporting expectations that the European Central Bank39;s tightening cycle might not end soon.

In Spain, consumer prices rose 2.6 yearonyear in August from 2.3 in July, and in line with the 2.6 expected by analysts polled by Reuters.

Money markets raised their bets on a September rate hike from the ECB, pricing in a 60 chance of a 25 basispoint move.

A September hike at this stage could be more of a coin toss, but more importantly, we sense that the hawks will see it as a last chance to hike one final time, said Benjamin Schroeder, senior rates strategist at ING.

One key input to arrive at a final assessment is the inflation data this week, he added.

The euro edged 0.1 higher to 1.0887. The dollar index which measures the currency against six major peers including the yen and euro slipped 0.1 to 103.47.

On Tuesday, the dollar index slumped 0.39 for its worst day in a monthandahalf, after a slide in JOLTS job openings to a 212year low spurred…