Gold holds above $2,100, near record high; focus on Powell testimony

Gold prices held above the $2,100 level on Wednesday, near a record peak hit in the previous session, as hopes for U.S. rates easing by mid-year mount, while traders awaited remarks on the economy's health from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Spot gold was steady at $2,127.39 per ounce, as of 0829 GMT. U.S. gold futures fell 0.3% to $2,135.30.