Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
The US Treasuries held relatively steady during a relatively quiet session as market returns from the long weekend. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note hovered around 1.60 percent mark, the yield on 5-year note remained steady at 1.190 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year note stood flat at 0.794 percent by 12:20 GMT.
Investors focus will be on the US non-manufacturing ISM, which is likely to dip to 55.0 in August.
On Friday, the August Labor Department employment situation report revealed a weaker +151k increase in non-farm payrolls, below market expectations for a +180k increase, as compared to the revised +275k result that occurred in July (previous was +255k).
This comes alongside no change in the unemployment rate at 4.9 percent, above expectations for a 4.8 percent result. Despite the weaker than expected headline result, this report shows lingering support for employment conditions.
Nevertheless, maintained improvement needs to be seen in order to alleviate caution on behalf of the FOMC regarding concerns elsewhere. Hence, we see this result as likely to provide enough weight to support the Fed leaving rates unchanged at the September FOMC meeting.
Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Futures traded 2 points higher at 2,180 by 12:20 GMT.
