Gold prices held steady as traders weighed the risks of persistent inflation against the Federal Reserve's path for interest rate hikes. This follows the Fed's first rate hike since 2023, with a unanimous vote at its September 15-16 meeting to raise rates by 25 basis points. This week, several Federal Reserve policymakers are scheduled to speak publicly, and investors will be closely monitoring their comments for clues on the future pace of rate adjustments. Gold is currently trading at approximately $4375 per ounce.