Investors await the Fed chief's Congressional testimony about the economy and monetary policy.
With the dollar firming but gold lower, investors await Fed chief Bernanke's comments Wednesday.
In a hot market where the popular names can cost hundreds of dollars a share, the real potential may be in stocks that go for less than five bucks.
Investors are looking for direction ahead of data on inflation, housing and the labor market.
The metal is in danger of giving up all its gains since its mid-April low. Some talk has gold falling to $1,250 an ounce.
The overly battered sector is slowly lumbering toward a turnaround.
Still ahead Monday are April retail sales and business inventories.
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