* Gold posted biggest gain in nearly a month on Wednesday
* Traders await Fed statement at 1800 GMT
* Fed Chair Janet Yellen holds news conference at 1830 GMT
(Updates prices, adds comment)
By Clara Denina
LONDON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Gold eased on Thursday after its
biggest one-day jump in a month ahead of a Federal Reserve
policy decision that has investors divided on whether it will
raise U.S. interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade.
The U.S. central bank will conclude a two-day policy meeting
with a decision on interest rates at 1800 GMT on Thursday. A
hike is likely to weigh on gold, as higher rates lift the
opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.
Spot gold XAU= was down 0.1 percent at $1,118.36 an ounce
at 1350 GMT. It rose 1.3 percent on Wednesday in its biggest
daily jump since Aug. 20, helped by data showing U.S. consumer
prices unexpectedly fell in August.
U.S. gold futures GCv1 for December delivery were down
$1.20 an ounce at $1,117.80.
Expectations that the Fed will increase rates at this week's
meeting have been lowered due to concerns over slowing economic
growth in China and volatility in financial markets.
In a Reuters poll of 80 economists, 45 said the Fed would
keep its benchmark interest rate between zero and 0.25 percent,
while 35 expected a hike. ID:nL4N11L32T
"It is a very close call - we think that going into the
meeting, the outcome is undecided," Capital Economics analyst
Caroline Bain said. "But relative to the market, we have a
higher expectation that the Fed will hike rates this evening."
"We suspect that the gold market has now largely adjusted to
the prospect that the Fed will start to raise rates by end-year,
so any price weakness in the immediate aftermath is likely to
prove short-lived."
Uncertainty over the Fed's decision kept gold in a narrow
range early this week, but the metal rallied on Wednesday after
data showing the surprise dip in U.S. inflation last month.
Signs of a disinflationary trend in the United States
contrast with a fairly healthy economy and a falling
unemployment rate, and highlight the dilemma Fed officials face
as they contemplate raising rates this year.
If the Fed leaves rates unchanged, the upside for gold would
be limited as the move would create more uncertainty over the
timing of an eventual rate hike, traders said.
"If the Fed doesn't make any announcement on raising rates
then you could see a rally in gold because the dollar and yields
will come off," Societe Generale (PARIS:SOGN) analyst Robin Bhar said.
"However, gold would struggle above $1,140 or $1,150."
Silver XAG= was up 0.3 percent at $14.93 following a 3.5
percent jump in the previous session. Platinum XPT= was down
1.1 percent at $957.74 an ounce and palladium XPD= was down
2.3 percent at $595.75.