RIYADH: Gold prices were little changed on Wednesday, as investors stayed away from taking big positions ahead of a US Federal Reserve interest rate decision that could influence the outlook for bullion. Spot gold was nearly flat at $1,716.59 per ounce at 0308 GMT. US gold futures dipped 0.2 percent to $1,713.90. Silver slightly dips Spot silver dipped 0.1 percent to $18.61 per ounce, while platinum fell 0.3 percent to $870.77. Palladium firmed 0.5 percent to $2,019.91. Corn, wheat ease Chicago corn futures eased from a one-week high on Wednesday, while concerns over hot and dry weather in parts of the US Midwest provided a floor under the market. Wheat lost ground, while soybeans fell for the first time in four sessions. The most-active corn contract on the Chicago Board of Trade fell 0.6 percent to $5.97-1/4 a bushel, as of 0343 GMT, after climbing earlier in the session to its highest since July 19 at $6.03 a bushel. Wheat gave up 0.8 percent to $7.97-1/2 a bushel and soybeans dipped 0.3 percent to $13.80 a bushel. Copper falls Copper prices slipped on Wednesday, weighed down by lingering concerns over demand due to slowing global economic growth and a stronger dollar ahead of a likely sharp US interest rate hike. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 0.3 percent at $7,515.50 a ton, as of 0223 GMT, after hitting a two-week high in the previous session. The most-traded September copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange eased 0.2 percent to $8,557.54 a ton. (With input from Reuters)