Gold prices held steady on Wednesday as investors awaited a widely anticipated interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve, while optimism over a potential US-China trade deal and a stronger dollar kept bullion near a three-week low. Spot gold was flat at $3,951.59 per ounce at 0513 GMT, after touching its lowest since 7 October. US gold futures for December delivery slipped 0.4 per cent to $3,965.20. The dollar index rose 0.2 per cent, pressuring gold by making it more expensive for other currency holders. Analysts said easing trade tensions and profit-taking had weighed on demand for the safe-haven metal, though longer-term fundamentals remain supportive amid rate cuts and central bank buying. Gold has surged about 52 per cent so far this year, hitting a record high of $4,381.21 on 20 October. Spot silver rose 0.8 per cent to $47.38 per ounce, platinum fell 0.8 per cent to $1,572.70, and palladium edged down 0.1 per cent to $1,392.28. Attribution: Reuters