Gold prices were essentially flat on Wednesday, having touched record highs earlier, as investors waited for the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision to be announced later today, with safe-haven demand continuing. Bart Melek, head of commodities strategy at TD Securities, said, ‘There are concerns that tariffs could trigger inflation, and the market consensus is that the Fed could start easing policy around the middle of the year, despite price increases due to U.S. tariffs.’ Melek said, ‘I expect the gold price to remain roughly at current levels, up and down around $25.’