Dec 21 (Reuters) - Gold prices held steady on Tuesday, as traders assessed the impact of surging Omicron coronavirus cases and interest rate hikes aimed at taming high inflation. FUNDAMENTALS * Spot gold was up 0.1% at $1,790.57 per ounce by 0142 GMT. U.S. gold futures were down 0.2% at $1,790.60. * British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday he would tighten coronavirus curbs to slow the spread of the Omicron variant if needed, after the Netherlands began a fourth lockdown and as other European nations consider Christmas restrictions. read more * The dollar hovered below recent highs, having lost ground overnight after a blow to Democratic spending plans in Washington. read more * U.S. stocks closed more than 1% lower overnight, pressured by surging Omicron coronavirus cases and a possible fatal blow to a $1.75 trillion domestic spending bill, with oil prices plunging. * Moderna Inc (MRNA.O) said on Monday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine appeared to be protective against the fast-spreading Omicron in laboratory testing and that the current version of the shot would continue to be its "first line of defense against Omicron." read more * The Federal Reserve"s more hawkish turn this week came amid heightened worries about economic recovery and inflation, but it has barely changed the bond market"s view that short-term interest rates could top out below the U.S. central bank"s estimated peak. read more * Commodities outperformed other assets this year as a recovery from the pandemic boosted demand though gold"s poor showing dented investor appetite. read more * Spot silver was down 0.1% at $22.20 an ounce, platinum shed 0.2% to $930.72 and palladium fell 0.1% to $1,747.46. DATA/EVENTS (GMT) 1500 EU Consumer Confidence Flash Dec 2350 Japan Bank of Japan releases minutes of Oct. 27-28 monetary policy meeting Reporting by Asha Sistla in Bengaluru; Editing by Vinay Dwivedi