Gold prices are solidly higher in midday U.S. trading Tuesday, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar index and a downtick in U.S. Treasury yields to start the U.S. trading week. The yellow metal hit a nine-week low overnight. Short covering in the futures market and some bargain buying in the cash were also featured today. August gold was last up $17.10 at $1,980.20 and July silver was down $0.015 at $23.34.Trader and investor attitudes are more upbeat this week. Republican and Democratic leaders have agreed upon a deal to raise the U.S. government s debt limit. House and Senate votes on the matter are likely to occur later this week. Asian and European stock markets were mostly firmer overnight. U.S. stock indexes are mixed to firmer at midday.The World Gold Council reported its survey shows 24% of central banks intend to increase their gold holdings in 2023. Reasons include higher inflation, geopolitical turmoil and interest rate worries.Gold price trades below $1,950 ahead of Congress debt ceiling vote and June Fed decisionThe key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index down on a corrective pullback after hitting a two-month high last week. Nymex crude oil prices are solidly lower and trading around $69.50 a barrel. Meantime, the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield is presently fetching 3.702%. Technically, August gold futures prices hit a nine-week low early on today and then rebounded to score a bullish outside day up. Bulls have the slight overall near-term technical advantage. However, prices are in a four-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. Bulls next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at $2,000.00. Bears next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,900.00. First resistance is seen at $1,985.00 and then at $2,000.00. First support is seen at $1,965.00 and then at today s low of $1,949.60. Wyckoff s Market Rating: 5.5July silver futures prices hit a nine-week low Friday. The silver bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a four-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $25.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $22.00. First resistance is seen at today s high of $23.51 and then at $23.75. Next support is seen at $23.00 and then at the May low of $22.785. Wyckoff s Market Rating: 4.0.July N.Y. copper closed down 160 points at 366.60 cents today. Prices closed near mid-range. The copper bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in a six-week-old downtrend on the daily bar chart. Copper bulls next upside price objective is pushing and closing prices above solid technical resistance at 385.00 cents. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid technical support at 335.00 cents. First resistance is seen at today s high of 371.10 cents and then at 375.00 cents. First support is seen at today s low of 362.70 cents and then at 360.00 cents. Wyckoff s Market Rating: 3.5.