REUTERS: Gold eased on Monday as the dollar firmed, but renewed bets that the US Federal Reserve may go slow on unwinding its pandemic-driven economic support measures kept bullion close to a 2-1/2-month high.

Spot gold inched 0.2% lower to $ 1,822.86 per ounce by 10:00 a.m. EDT (14:00 GMT). On Friday, prices hit their highest since 16 June at $ 1,833.80. Trading has been subdued by Monday's US Labour Day holiday.

US gold futures eased 0.5% to $ 1,825.10. The dollar index ticked up, potentially dimming appetite for those holding other currencies.

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