Gold prices held steady on Monday as market participants weighed the prospect of a faster ending to pandemic-era asset purchases by the U.S. Federal Reserve after data suggested the labour market was rapidly tightening. FUNDAMENTALS * Spot gold was little changed at $1,783.91 per ounce by 0038 GMT. U.S. gold futures rose 0.1% to $1,785.00. * The dollar index (.DXY) edged 0.1% higher, raising gold"s cost for buyers holding other currencies.