Gold and silver prices are sharply up in early U.S. trading Monday, with gold hitting a two-week high and silver a three-week peak. Notions the U.S. government may be close to reopening have boosted the precious metals markets, from the angle of the resumption of U.S. economic data flows will provide better odds of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December. December gold was last up $93.30 at $4,103.10. December silver prices were up $1.897 at $50.055. The U.S. Senate on Sunday voted 60-40 on a procedural measure to advance a bill to end the federal government shutdown, with a group of moderate Democrats ... (full story)