NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Gold futures rose early Tuesday, following the previous session's big losses, as the falling U.S. dollar reduced the metal's appeal as an alternative investment. Gold for February delivery, the most active contract, rose $1.50, or 0.2%, to $778.30 an ounce in early electronic trading. December gold, the front-month contract, also rose 0.2% to $776 an ounce. The precious metal tumbled more than 5% on Monday.
