Gold climbed modestly in Monday trading amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and after a weak report on U.S. manufacturing.

Bellicose statements by North Korea’s leadership boosted gold’s appeal as a safe haven, even though actual conflict remained unlikely. At home, the Institute of Supply Management said that activity at U.S. factories cooled — though still expanded — last month.

Gold futures for May delivery rose 0.3% to $1,600.40 per ounce on Monday, according to CME Group. Gold traded as high as $1,601 and as low as $1,594.70. Gold bullion closed in London at $1,600, according to BullionVault.

Silver futures for May delivery fell 1.3% to $27.94 per ounce. Monday’s high for silver was $28.36, while the low was $27.81.

Gold and silver funds were mixed in Monday trading.

• The SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:GLD) rose 0.1%.
• The iShares Gold Trust (NYSE:IAU) also added 0.1%.
• The iShares Silver Trust (NYSE:SLV) fell 1.3%.

Gold and silver mining ETFs pulled back strongly during the day.

• The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:GDX) declined 1.1%.
• The Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:GDXJ) dropped 2.1%.
• The Global X Silver Miners ETF (NYSE:SIL) slid 1.7%.

Gold mining shares broadly fell on Monday.

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM) retreated 1.2%.
• Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX) dropped 1.3%.
• Eldorado Gold (NYSE:EGO) slumped 1.6%.
• Goldcorp (NYSE:GG) dipped 0.6%.
• Kinross Gold (NYSE:KGC) slid 0.9%.
• Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM) fell 1.2%.
• NovaGold Resources (AMEX:NG) was flat.
• Yamana Gold (NYSE:AUY) declined 1.6%.

Silver mining shares moved lower during the day.

• Coeur d’Alene Mines (NYSE:CDE) sank 1.9%.
• Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) also slipped 1.8%.
• Pan American Silver (NASDAQ:PAAS) tumbled 2.7%.
• Silver Wheaton (NYSE:SLW) declined 1.7%.
• Silver Standard Resources (NASDAQ:SSRI) dropped 2.8%.

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.