Gold held steady to weaker in Asia on Wednesday as investors awaited the July minutes from the Federal Reserve for what nay prove to be the clearest signal on the timing of a widely expected rate hike this year. On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold for December delivery fell 0.02% to $1,116.70 a troy ounce. Traders appeared hesitant to make any drastic moves on Tuesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's release of the minutes from its July meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Gold, which is not attached to dividends or interest rates, struggles to compete with high-yield bearing assets in periods of rising rates.

Crude oil prices eased in early Asia on Wednesday despite slightly upbeat estimates of U.S. stockpiles from an industry group as oversupply worries weigh on markets globally. Crude inventories nationwide remain at their highest level at this time of year in at least 80 years. Energy traders continue to monitor fluctuations in the dollar, ahead of Wednesday's release of the minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee's July meeting. Last week, Fed vice chairman Stanley Fischer expressed concern with the lack of inflation in the U.S. economy due to slower than expected growth.

TREND :BEARISH
RESIST 2: 26160
RESIST 1: 26090
SUP 1: 25890
SUP 2: 25740
STRATEGY: SELL ON RISE

CS SILVER (SEPTEMBER) OVERVIEW:

TREND : BEARISH
RESIST 2:36000
RESIST 1:35930
SUP1:34500
SUP2:34400
STRATEGY : SELL ON RISE