Gold prices continue to slide as risk appetite increases.

Gold and silver prices are down in midday U.S. trading due to less risk aversion in the marketplace, prompting profit-taking and weak long liquidation from futures traders. Global stock markets were mostly higher overnight, and U.S. stock indexes are mixed at midday. Geopolitics is moving closer to the front burner of the marketplace as Russia threatens to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, North Korea test-fires more ballistic missiles, and the U.S. retaliates with air strikes in Syria. It's a busy week for U.S. economic data, including Friday's much-anticipated personal consumption and expenditures data that will provide fresh clues on whether the U.S. economy is headed toward recession.