Gold prices rose nearly 1% to $2,354 on Monday after bouncing off a two-week low of $2,325, amid thin trading due to holidays in the UK and US. Strong US economic data and Federal Reserve signals of a longer timeline to achieve a 2% inflation target have dampened hopes for monetary easing, putting pressure on gold last week. The upcoming US PCE Price Index is expected to show core inflation rising 2.8% year-over-year and 0.3% month-over-month.