FOREX-Dollar falters after U.S. inflation rise eases, safe-haven yen, franc up - NewsBreak

* U.S. inflation rises less than expected in August * Fed may have flexibility on tapering, analyst says * Risk appetite down as U.S. stocks, yields fall * Safe-haven currencies -- yen and Swiss franc -- rise vs dollar (Adds new comment, updates prices) By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The dollar fell against major currencies on Tuesday after data showed a less-than-expected rise in U.S. inflation last month, creating uncertainty about the timing of the Federal Reserve's tapering of asset purchases. Several Fed officials have suggested the U.S. central bank could reduce its buying of debt securities by the end of the year, but said an eventual interest rate hike would not happen for some time. The Fed will hold a two-day monetary policy meeting next week, with investors keen to find out whether a tapering announcement will be made. Tapering tends to benefit the dollar as it suggests the Fed is one step closer toward tighter monetary policy. It also means the ce