Gold price up a bit as U.S. government spending in focus

Gold prices are modestly higher in early U.S. trading Monday, on some short-covering by the shorter-term futures traders and some mild safe-haven buying ahead of key U.S. government spending hurdles that occur late this week.

Copper price up on weak US inflation

The copper price firmed on Wednesday as the dollar dipped on lower-than-expected US inflation figures, which softened expectations for stimulus to be tapered soon.