U.S. economic data due for release Friday is heavy and includes the consumer price index, real earnings, retail sales, industrial production and capacity utilization, manufacturing and trade inventory and sales, and the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey.

FORBES: Gold Near Steady as Bulls Still Glowing in QE3 Aftermath

As the key 2011 holiday shopping season rapidly approaches, retail chief financial officers are split over whether too much or too little inventory poses the greater risk this year, according to a recent survey by financial advisory and consulting firm BDO USA LLP.

FORBES: Retail inventories increase amid modest holiday sales views

U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Goldman Sachs and Johnson Redbook retail sales reports, real earnings, the consumer price index, the Empire State manufacturing survey, retail sales, Treasury international capital data, manufacturing trade, inventory and sales, and the NAHB housing market index.

FORBES: Comex Gold Trades Near Steady as Market Tries to Stabilize