NEW YORK —  Gold prices were little changed Wednesday as investors refrained from making big bets ahead of a global economic summit and a meeting of the European Central Bank.

Energy and agriculture futures slumped.

Investors are anxious ahead of a meeting of finance ministers in London on Thursday. Any signs of disagreement among the Group of 20 countries over how to handle critical financial issues could lead to more upheaval on markets, a possible positive for safe-haven investments like gold.

The dollar was mixed against other major currencies in anticipation of an interest rate cut by the European Central Bank, also on Thursday.

Interest rate cuts are designed to encourage lending but they can also weaken the currency they effect, meaning the dollar could benefit from a significant rate cut in Europe.

More buying on Wall Street also kept gold prices at bay. As the market's recent rally picks up momentum, investors look to make bets on other, more risky assets, which crimps demand for gold.

Gold for June delivery inched up $2.70 to settle at $927.70 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

May silver slipped a penny to $12.9750 an ounce, while May copper futures rose less than 1 cent to $1.8490 a pound.

On Wall Street, stocks extended a four-week rally on better-than-expected economic data. The Dow Jones industrials rose 152 points to 7,761.

Energy prices dropped on the Nymex as the Energy Department reported that crude inventories continued to rise last week as airlines, manufacturers, and other sectors cut back on energy consumption. Meanwhile, gasoline stockpiles jumped despite expectations for a steep drop.

Light, sweet crude for May delivery fell $1.27 to settle at $48.39 a barrel.

Gasoline for May delivery fell 4.96 cents to settle at $1.3717 a gallon, and heating oil fell 2.21 cents to settle at $1.3458 a gallon.

Grain prices were mostly lower on the Chicago Board of Trade.

May wheat futures fell 7.25 cents to $5.2550 a bushel, while corn for May delivery lost 8.75 cents to $3.96 a bushel.

May soybeans were unchanged from Tuesday at $9.52 a bushel.

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