Gold prices increased slightly on Monday, following a surge of over 1% last week. The rise came after the U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell gave less hawkish comments. The uncertainty over the U.S. debt ceiling outcome and the stability of the banking sector also added to the safe-haven bullion's boost. At the moment, spot gold is up 0.2% at $1,979.79 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures were steady at $1,981.00.