PRECIOUS-Gold prices steady amid firm dollar

Oct 19 (Reuters) - Gold prices were nearly unchanged early on Thursday as the dollar held firm on the back of strong U.S. Treasury yields. FUNDAMENTALS * Spot gold was steady at $1,281.24 an ounce at 0053 GMT. It hit an over one-week low of $1,276.73 in the previous session. * U.S. gold futures for December delivery were flat at $1,283 per ounce. * The dollar index was nearly unchanged at 93.320. It was flat versus the yen * The U.S.