BHP Group BHP.AX, Rio Tinto RIO.AX and Fortescue Metals FMG.AX declined between 0.6% and 2.1%. Oct 13 (Reuters) - Australian shares held steady on Wednesday after two straight sessions of falls, as gains in gold stocks countered losses in heavyweight miners and financials. .N Investors are awaiting inflation data from the United States and China due later this week, with expectations for high readings that will add pressure on central banks to tighten monetary policies.