Gold near 3-1/2-month high, ECB action hopes support

Gold traded steady on Wednesday, hovering near its highest level in more than three months, supported by speculation on the European Central Bank taking action to curb Italian and Spanish yields.

Fundamentals

* Spot gold was little changed at $1,637.56 an ounce by 0019 GMT, after hitting $1,641.20 in the previous session, its highest since early May.

* U.S. gold futures contract for December delivery edged down 0.2 percent to $1,640.10.

* Speculation ran high on media reports that the ECB is mapping out details of a plan to cap Spanish and Italian borrowing costs, though the bank said it was misleading to report on policy decisions that had not been taken.

* Later in the day, investors will await the minutes from the latest Federal Open Market Committee meeting, seeking clues on the Fed's attitude towards a third round of quantitative easing.

* Lonmin , the world's No.3 platinum producer, backed down from its threat to sack 3,000 striking miners, fearing the move could provoke more violence.

* Spot platinum gained 0.2 percent to $1,503 an ounce, on course for its fifth straight session of gains. On Tuesday, it hit $1,508.25, the highest level since early May.

* India's gold imports during peak demand season of September to December are likely to slump 40 percent on year to 200 tonnes due to weak monsoon, fewer wedding dates and near record high prices, the head of India's leading trade body said.

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Market news

* U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday after the S&P 500 hit its highest level in four years as the benchmark index faced technical resistance and traders cashed in recent gains.

* The euro was steady in early Asian trading on Wednesday after hitting seven-week highs in the previous session, with investors waiting to see whether European policymakers will take action to stem the region's debt crisis.