Nov 4 (Reuters) - Gold steadied on Wednesday as investors
keenly watched the final few hours of a close U.S presidential
election, with a contested result was a possibility.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= was little changed at $1,906.71 per ounce
by 0045 GMT, having hit a near two-weak peak of $1,916.06
earlier in the session.
* U.S. gold futures GCv1 edged 0.1% higher to $1,911.60
per ounce.
* National polls show Democrat Joe Biden leading the race
but President Donald Trump is close enough in several election
battleground states to retain the presidency.
* The winner - who may not be determined for days - will
lead a nation strained by the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed
more than 231,000 people and left millions more jobless, racial
tensions and political polarization that has only worsened
during a vitriolic campaign.
* The dollar index .DXY was flat against a basket of
currencies, having hit a one-week low earlier in the session.
USD/
* New orders for U.S.-made goods increased solidly in
September, but further gains could be limited amid an
anticipated slowdown in consumer spending as government money
for businesses and workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
runs out. * The Federal Open Market Committee begins its two-day
policy meeting later in the day, with policymakers expected to
reaffirm its commitment to support the pandemic-struck economy
and keep interest rates unchanged. * Silver XAG= fell 0.1% to $24.14 an ounce. Platinum
XPT= dropped 0.4% to $863.25 and palladium XPD= gained 0.2%
to $2,286.36/
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
0900 EU Oct. Markit Serv, Comp Final PMIs
1330 US Sept. International Trade
1445 US Oct. Markit services, Comp Final PMIs
1500 US Oct ISM non-manufacturing PMI