Gold prices were coming off intraday highs Tuesday after housing prices and personal income came in better than expected. Gold for December delivery was rising $1.90 to $1625.90 an ounce at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The gold price traded as high as $1631.60 and as low as $1623 an ounce, while the spot price was up $3.20.

“Since that [personal income] plus the housing market came in a little bit better, prospect of Federal Reserve easing is a little bit lower,” said Phil Streible, seniorcommodities broker at RJO Futures.

Silver prices for September delivery were climbing about 21 cents to $28.24 an ounce, while the U.S. dollar index was sinking 0.21% to $82.66.

Gold rose about 2.5% last week amid speculation thatFed sentiment increased for quantitative easing efforts and after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi pledged to do whatever it takes to keep the single-currency bloc intact. Gold rose slightly on Monday as traders engaged in light buying ahead of the two-day Fed meeting that began Tuesday and will conclude Wednesday with an announcement of forthcoming monetary policy.

Streible said he thinks that ahead of the Fed announcement traders will either lighten up their positions or take profits off the bump gold prices received in the past few days.

Gold mining stocks were mostly flat at the opening Tuesday. Eldorado Gold (EGO) was off the most at $11.12, down 23 cents, or 2%, while Barrick Gold (ABX) was at $33.11, up 5 cents, or 0.16%.

Among other mining stocks, Newmont Mining (NEM), Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM) andRandgold Resources (GOLD) were down less than 1%.

The Street