Gold steady on concerns of delay in U.S.-China trade deal

Gold prices held steady on Thursday, supported by concerns that U.S. legislation on Hong Kong could increase tensions between the United States and China and delay an interim trade deal. Spot gold was little changed at $1,471.02 per ounce by 0458 GMT. U.S. gold futures were down 0.2% at $1,471.20. “The main driver in gold currently is the uncertainty about the trade deal. There is the possibility that the deal might not be completed this year, so that is a key support factor,” said John Sharma, an economist with National Australia Bank.