Gold prices hold steady amid easing dollar

BENGALURU, Nov 5 (Reuters) – Gold prices were steady in early Asian trade on Monday as the dollar eased, while investors are tuned in to the U.S. congressional elections on Tuesday.  FUNDAMENTALS: * Spot gold was steady at $1,232.86 per ounce, as of 0126 GMT. * U.S. gold futures was up 0.1 percent at $1,234.6 per ounce. * The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, was down 0.1 percent. * In equities, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2 percent in early trades amid worries about tense Sino-U.S. trade relations. * Investors are now focused on the U.S. congressional elections on Nov. 6, which will determine whether the Republican or Democratic party controls Congress, with some predicting increased market volatility on the outcome.