Gold and silver were moving higher in early trading Tuesday after the Commerce Department reported that housing starts dropped 1.5% July — in line with expectations — and greater-than-expected increases in July industrial production and capacity utilization. The markets also were digesting news that Q1 GDP growth in the 17-nation European Union was slower than expected.

Spot gold was trading at $1,781.60 Bid, $1,782.60 Ask, with the London PM fix set at $1,782.50. Spot silver was trading at $39.83 with a $39.93 Ask, having been set at $39.36 in the London AM, according to Kitco market data.

Gold and silver trusts were moving higher early Tuesday.

• The SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:GLD) was up more than 1.1%.
• The iShares Gold Trust (NYSE:IAU) also was up about 1.1%.
• The iShares Silver Trust (NYSE:SLV) was up more than 0.9%.

The gold mining ETFs were higher, but the Global X Silver Miners ETF was lower.

• The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:GDX) was around 0.2% higher.
• The Market Vector Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:GDXJ) was up around 0.4%.
• The Global X Silver Miners ETF (NYSE:SIL) was 0.25% lower.

Shares of gold miners were mixed.

• Agnico Eagle Mines (USA) (NYSE:AEM) was around 0.5% lower.
• Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE:ABX) was down about 0.2%
• Goldcorp (NYSE:GG) was more than 0.5% higher.
• Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE:NEM) was up about 0.9%.
• NovaGold Resources (USA) (AMEX:NG) was down nearly 0.5%.

Silver mining shares also were mixed.

• Coeur D’Alene Mines Corp. (NYSE:CDE) was around 0.8% lower.
• Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) was down almost 1.6%.
• Pan American Silver Corp. (USA) (NASDAQ:PAAS) was more than 0.3% higher.
• Silver Wheaton Corp. (USA) (NYSE:SLW) was down around 0.9%.
• Silver Standard Resources Inc. (USA) (NASDAQ:SSRI) was more than 1.3% higher.

The author does not hold positions in any of the above-mentioned investments.