Gold and silver prices hold steady ahead of major U.S. data release

Gold and silver prices are slightly up in early U.S. trading as traders and investors anticipate a more active market next week due to a big week of U.S. economic reports. Asian and European stock markets are mostly higher, while U.S. stock indexes are expected to open slightly higher. The U.S. dollar index is slightly firmer, crude oil futures prices are slightly higher, and the U.S. Treasury 10-year note is fetching 4.235%. U.S. economic data for the day is light, but the pace picks up rapidly on Tuesday, including the employment situation report on Friday. Technically, gold futures bears have the near-term advantage, while silver bulls have the overall near-term advantage and momentum.