JOHANNESBURG, July 11 Reuters The South African rand was stronger in early trading on Thursday, as investors focused on key U.S. inflation data for hints on the future interest rate path of the world39;s biggest economy.

At 0753 GMT, the rand traded at 18.0650 against the dollar , around 0.3 stronger than its previous close.

Ahead of both local and U.S. data today, look for ranges to continue, said Rand Merchant Bank analysts in a research note.

Markets will focus on inflation data out of the U.S. on Thursday for clues on the Federal Reserve39;s future interest rate path.

U.S. inflation has been improving in recent months and earlier this week Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that more good data would strengthen the case for central bank interest rate cuts.

Bets on a September rate cut have climbed to 75 as the Fed walks a tightrope between keeping rates higher for longer at the risk of pushing the economy into a recession, said Andre Cilliers, currency strategist at TreasuryONE.

The rand often takes cues from global drivers like U.S. monetary policy in addition to local data points.

Locally, Statistics South Africa will publish May39;s mining data at around 0930 GMT and manufacturing data at around 1100 GMT.

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the bluechip