Gold and silver prices are higher in midday U.S. trading Monday, in a quieter start to a U.S.-holiday-shortened trading week. Traders and investors are awaiting a heavy slate of U.S. economic data due to be released Tuesday and Wednesday. December gold was last up $16.60 at $4,096.20. December silver prices were up $0.342 at $50.245. U.S. economic data due out Tuesday includes September retail sales, the September producer price index, pending homes sales, the Richmond Fed business survey, the monthly house price index, the consumer confidence index, manufacturing and trade inventories and the monthly Treasury budget ... (full story)