Gold prices are trading near steady in early-afternoon U.S. trading Monday. The bulls are trying to “right the ship” following the strong selling pressure seen late last week. Working in the precious metals bulls’ favor to start the trading week are a slightly lower U.S. dollar index and weaker U.S. stock index prices. June gold futures were last up $0.90 an ounce at $1,276.60. July Comex silver prices hit another 5.5-month low today and were last up $0.042 at $14.43 an ounce. Gold prices lost around $35.00 in value last Thursday and Friday, producing some near-term technical damage. Bulls needed to stabilize their market early this week in order to avoid a solid, fresh leg down in prices from occurring. Bulls have more work to do in the near term to suggest that market can trade at least sideways on the charts.