November 28: Gold prices slipped on Monday, as the dollar strengthened on safe-haven demand triggered by protests in several Chinese cities over the country's strict COVID-19 restrictions, Reuters reported.

According to the news agency, spot gold was down 0.4 percent at US$1,748.84 per ounce, as of 0555 GMT. US gold futures fell 0.3 percent to US$1,749.60.

The dollar index was up 0.4 percent, making the greenback-priced bullion more expensive for buyers holding other currencies, added Reuters.

"Gold prices have been tracking the US dollar's moves closely, and increased uncertainty from the growing unrest in China seems to be underpinning the dollar this morning," Reuters quoted IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong as saying.

According to Reuters, hundreds of demonstrators and police clashed in Shanghai on Sunday night as protests over China's stringent COVID restrictions flared for a third day and spread to several cities in the wake of a deadly fire in the country's far west.

People may be shifting to defensive assets considering the COVID situation in China, but the dollar's gains are currently overshadowing gold's safe-haven status, Yeap added.

Meanwhile, the price of gold remained as high as Rs 97,500 per tola (11.6 grams approx.) in Nepal, according to the latest update posted on the website of the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association on Monday.