Gold was steady in Asia amid subdued trading ahead of the US Independence Day holiday, with investors weighing weak manufacturing data that offered more evidence of an economic slowdown.
US factory activity fell to its weakest level in more than three years, while production and new orders data also suggested a pullback. Monday's figures followed a report last week that showed inflation easing, boosting optimism the Federal Reserve may be nearing the end of its monetary tightening cycle -- higher rates are typically negative for non-interest-bearing bullion.
Traders will be looking to the upcoming earnings season and additional data, such as Friday's nonfarm payrolls, for more information on the health of the economy.
Spot gold was little changed at $1,921.35 an ounce as of 7:58 a.m. in Singapore, after edging 0.1% higher on Monday. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was steady for a second day. Silver and palladium were steady and platinum gained.
Source: Bloomberg
