LONDON: Gold inched up for a third straight session on Wednesday as the dollar eased and speculation mounted that the Federal Reserve would vow to maintain interest rates at low levels when the US central bank concludes its policy meeting later in the day.

Spot gold was up 0.1 per cent at $1,236.24 an ounce by 1157 GMT.

The metal was tentatively heading for a third day of gains but prices were still within reach of an eight-month low of $1,225.30 hit on Monday.

US gold futures were little changed at $1,236.80.

Published in Dawn, September 18th , 2014