Gold was steady in Asia after rising 0.6% in the previous session, with traders weighing a return of risk appetite against fresh signs the US economy is losing steam.

The Nasdaq 100 notched its best ever first-half of a year, with prospects for bigger returns in the technology sector turning investors away from haven assets such as gold. Still, US data released Friday showed inflation easing, boosting optimism the Federal Reserve may be nearing the end of its series of rate hikes, which are typically negative for non-yielding bullion.

Official manufacturing purchase managers' indexes across a host of economies are due Monday, which could provide more signs that central banks may be taming inflation.

Spot gold was little changed at $1,918.24 an ounce as of 8:19 a.m. in Singapore, after falling 2.5% in the second quarter. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was steady in the wake of its 0.3% decline in the previous session. Silver and platinum were flat, while palladium edged higher.

Source: Bloomberg