Gold prices traded in a narrow range on Wednesday as investors awaited the U.S. consumer inflation print due later in the day and the Federal Reserve's commentary on its interest rate policy.

Spot gold was 0.2% lower at $2,312.22 per ounce, trading in a $7 range, as of 1203 GMT. U.S. gold futures rose 0.1% to $2,329.10.

Investors will assess the inflation situation when U.S. consumer price index numbers are released at 1230 GMT, just before the Fed concludes its two-day policy meeting.

"What is worrying the Fed is that inflation is not coming down as quickly as thought, say, at the beginning of the year. With the jobs market being remarkably strong, they are going to push rate cuts back - a headwind for gold," said Russell Shor, senior market specialist at Tradu.

"Most importantly, you have got to watch the median dot plot. If FOMC suggests two rate cuts instead of one rate cut (that the market is pricing), that will support gold."

The market is divided on whether the Fed would cut rates once or twice this year after a strong U.S. labour report, so attention will be on policymakers' updated economic projections and Chair Jerome Powell's press conference.

Strong U.S. jobs data and reports of China's central bank holding off gold purchases triggered bullion's biggest daily drop since November 2020 last week.

"While China did take a break from gold in May, I don't believe that the People's Bank of China are finished with their diversification efforts away from the U.S. dollar," Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade, said in a note.

Demand for gold in Asia is surging despite prices hovering near the record highs hit in May, industry officials said.

Spot silver rose 0.3% to $29.34 per ounce, platinum was down 0.4% at $947.42 and palladium gained 0.1% to $885.06.

(Reporting by Harshit Verma and Sherin Elizabeth Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Jan Harvey and Louise Heavens)