Spot gold eased 0.2 percent to $1,833 an ounce early afternoon but the precious metal, barring a spectacular collapse later today, still remains on track to record a monthly rise of well over 10 per cent. Trading in the metal has been very volatile recently, with the spot price hitting an intraday record $1,912.29 an ounce last week, before proceeding to drop $200 an ounce in two days. The slight easing in prices today reflects investor caution ahead of important US economic data. The ADP private employment report is due out before the opening bell. Economists expect the study will show the private sector took on around 100,000 workers in August, down from the 114,000 in July. Meanwhile the US Commerce Department will release June factory orders data, with analysts expecting the figures will show a fall of one per cent. The immediate outlook for gold prices is being further clouded by uncertainty over whether there will be further stimulus measures for the US economy. Minutes from the August meeting of the Federal Reserve showing some of its policymakers are in favour of such a move to help out the troubled US economy. More quantitative easing would push up the inflation outlook and trigger buying interest in gold, which has traditionally been regarded as a good hedge against inflation. Notable junior gold mining fallers today included Norseman Gold (LON:NGL), which fell 5.17 per cent to 28 pence. Chaarat Gold (LON:CGH) gave up 3.7 per cent to 26 pence while Red Rock Resources (LON:RRR) retreated 3.3 per cent to 6 pence. Gainers were led by Patagonia Gold (LON:PGD), up 7.2 per cent to 63 pence; Ariana Resources (LON:AAU), ahead 6.29 per cent to 6 pence; and Vatukoula Gold Mines (LON:VGM), which put on 3.88 per cent to 1.11 pence.

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