Gold eased in quiet trade on Monday after last week's sharp gain, as investors await Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony before US Congress later this week for market cues. The metal rose overnight after data showed China's economic growth slowed in the second quarter, and later a report showed US retail sales rose less than expected in June.
Gold gained 5 percent last week, its biggest weekly gain in nearly 2 years, after Bernanke said the US central bank needed to keep a stimulative monetary policy in place given an uncertain job market and low inflation. Spot gold inched down 49 cents to $1,283.80 an ounce by 2:59 pm EDT (1859 GMT). US gold futures for August delivery settled up $5.90 at $1,283.50 an ounce, with trading volume about 30 percent below its 30-day average, preliminary Reuters data showed.
Among other metals, silver gained 0.3 percent to $19.93 an ounce, having risen nearly 6 percent last week. Supply fears due to mine labour issues in South Africa continue to boost platinum group metals. Platinum rose 1.4 percent to $1,421.24 an ounce, while palladium was up 1.6 percent to $729.50 an ounce.
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