South Africa's rand firmer, investors await Fed comments

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's rand recovered against the dollar in early trade on Tuesday after the greenback eased as investors awaited guidance on whether the Federal Reserve will raise U.S. interest rates this year. * At 0630 GMT, rand trades at 13.4800 per dollar, 0.74percent firmer from its New York close on Monday. * Investors await comments from Fed Chair Janet Yellen atthe central bank's annual meeting on Friday. * Local focus on consumer inflation data due on Wednesday. * Analysts say inflation data unlikely to affect the rand,but will provide direction on local rates. * In fixed income, the yield for the benchmark instrumentdue in 2026 down 2 basis points to 8.5 percent. (Reporting by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo; Editing by Tiisetso Motsoeneng)