Gold prices fluctuate amid rising U.S. Treasury yields and bullish technical patterns.

Gold prices are slightly weaker and silver is a bit firmer due to a modest rise in U.S. Treasury yields, which is keeping the precious metals market bulls timid. The gold futures bulls have the firm overall near-term technical advantage, while the silver bulls have the solid overall near-term technical advantage as prices hit a two-month high on Monday. The U.S. dollar index is lower, and Nymex crude oil prices are firmer. U.S. economic data due for release includes the weekly Johnson Redbook and chain store retail indexes, manufacturers’ shipments and inventories, and the IBD/TIPP economic optimism index.