Gold prices ticked higher on Monday, as expectations that the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates later in the year and tensions in the Middle East lifted bullions appeal. Spot gold rose 0.3% to $2,309.24 per ounce. US gold futures gained 0.5% to $2,318.80 per ounce. Among other precious metals, spot silver was up 1.3% to $26.89 per ounce. Platinum lost nearly 0.7% to $948.97, and palladium inched up 0.1% to $946.58. Source: Qatar News Agency