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Gold prices held steady on Monday, with investors looking ahead to a clutch of speeches from U.S. Federal Reserve officials later in the week for clues on the timing of possible interest rate hikes.

Spot gold had edged down 0.1 percent to $1,234.28 per ounce by 0319 GMT, while U.S. gold futures fell 0.3 %to $1,235.2. Spot gold may break support at $1,233 per ounce, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.

Gold trading range for the day is 29223-29517.Gold prices eased but notched a weekly gain as investors opted for the safe-haven qualities of bullion due to uncertainty about U.S. and European politics.Fed Chair Janet Yellen said U.S. interest rates may need to be raised in March.Holdings of SPDR Gold, have risen 5.6 % so far this month, the most since June 2016.