German 10-year yield hits 4-week low before US jobs data

LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) -

Germany's 10-year government bond yield was steady on Wednesday after earlier touching a four-week low, as investors focused on the ?Federal Reserve's policy outlook before ?a delayed U.S. report is released later in the day.

German Bunds ?have been taking their cues from U.S. Treasuries ?in recent days, as soft U.S. ?economic data ?has given the Fed more scope to lower interest rates.

"U.S. rates ?are leading again in ?global rate markets and the focus is back on a cooling jobs market," said ?Michiel Tukker, senior European ?rates strategist ?at ING in a note.

Germany's 10-year bond yield, the benchmark for the euro zone, was ?last down about 0.5 bps at 2.8%, ?its lowest point since January 14.

Attention was turning to today's delayed U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, which is expected to show jobs growth picked up again ?last ?month, supported by fewer layoffs in ?some seasonal industries.

But risks could be skewed to ?the downside as some officials, including White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, have warned of lower job gains in the months ahead.

Other data has also disappointed recently, with Tuesday's retail sales figures coming in below expectations.

Germany's ?two-year yield was little changed on Wednesday at 2.046%, close to its lowest level since early December, ?which was reached on ?Tuesday. (Reporting by Samuel Indyk; Editing ?by Thomas Derpinghaus)