Gold rose strongly in Monday trading ahead of tomorrow’s testimony by new Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee. The metal climbed for a fourth consecutive session, hitting its highest close since mid-November.

Gold futures for April delivery rose 0.9% to $1,274.70 per ounce on Monday, according to CME Group. Gold traded as high as $1,277.80 and as low as $1,264.70. Bullion closed in London at $1,275, according to BullionVault.

Silver futures for March delivery gained 0.9% to $20.11 per ounce. Monday’s high for silver was $20.28, while the low was $19.96.

Metal funds improved on Monday.

• The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) rose 0.6%.
• The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) added 0.5%.
• The iShares Silver Trust (SLV) inched up 0.1%.

Mining ETFs advanced during the day.

• The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX) climbed 3.3%.
• The Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) surged 4.3%.
• The Global X Silver Miners ETF (SIL) gained 4.2%.

Gold stocks sprinted higher on Monday.

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM) jumped 5.1%.
• Barrick Gold (ABX) rose 2.1%.
• Eldorado Gold (EGO) surged 5.6%.
• Goldcorp (GG) added 2%.
• Kinross Gold (KGC) vaulted 5.8%.
• Newmont Mining (NEM) moved up 3.1%.
• NovaGold Resources (NG) advanced 3.6%.
• Yamana Gold (AUY) soared 6.3%.

Silver mining shares climbed during the day.

• Coeur d’Alene Mines (CDE) gained 4.6%.
• Hecla Mining (HL) added 1.6%.
• Pan American Silver (PAAS) rose 1%.
• Silver Wheaton (SLW) advanced 3.4%.
• Silver Standard Resources (SSRI) increased 2.4%.

As of this writing, Christopher Freeburn did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. Adrian Ash of BullionVault contributed to this report.