* Fed rate decision due at 1800 GMT
* Growth in US labour costs accelerates in first quarter
* China's financial markets closed for Labour Day holiday
May 1 (Reuters) - Gold prices struggled for momentum on Wednesday as investors refrained from taking big positions ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve policy decision that could offer for more cues on its rate-cut timeline.
Spot gold was little changed at $2,286.53 per ounce as of 0136 GMT, after it fell as much as 2% on Tuesday to hit its lowest level since April 5.
Bullion prices have fallen more than $140 after scaling a record high of $2,431.29 on April 12.
U.S. gold futures were down 0.2% at $2,298.30 per ounce.
"Inflation readings have shown no progress at all so far in 2024, the Fed will have to backtrack and pivot more towards a more hawkish message and the gold market is discounting that," said Marex analyst Edward Meir.
Focus is now on the U.S. central bank's policy decision due at 1800 GMT followed by remarks from Chair Jerome Powell. The Fed is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate steady at 5.25% to 5.5%.
"If Powell strikes a hawkish tone, prices could fall $30 or $40 more between today and the next day," Meir said.
Gold is known as an inflation hedge but elevated interest rates reduce the appeal of holding the non-yielding asset.
Data on Tuesday showed that U.S. labour costs increased more than expected in the first quarter, confirming the surge in inflation early in the year that will likely delay a rate cut later this year.
China's financial markets are closed from May 1 to 5 for the Labour Day holiday.
Among other metals, spot silver rose 0.2% to $26.32 per ounce and platinum inched up 0.2% to $935.10. Palladium lost 0.6% to $941.43 after hitting its lowest in nearly two months in the previous session.
(Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Subhranshu Sahu)
