Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange recovered on Monday, as weaker- than-expected U.S. economic data and declines in the greenback lured investors back to the gold market.

The most active gold contract for Dec. delivery added 15.4 dollars, or 0.9 percent, to 1,758 dollars per ounce.

Analysts mentioned that although a comeback of risk appetite put a dent on the precious metal, as crashing equity prices over the past two weeks lured fund managers to re-enter the market as bargain hunters, some U.S. economic indicators disclosed on Monday further added to investors' concerns over the global economy.

The Empire State index fell to negative 7.7 in Aug. from negative 3.8 in July, showing that manufacturing activity in the New York region deteriorated for a third-straight month in Aug..

And the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo home market index remained at 15 in Aug., a seasonally adjusted measure where readings over 50 are considered "good."

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index, which measures the performance of the greenback against a basket of other major currencies dropped on Monday, adding more upward pressure to dollar-priced commodities as gold.

Silver for Sept. delivery added 19.3 cents, or 0.9 percent, to 39.307 dollars per ounce.

 VietNamNet/Xinhuanet