Gold prices slipped from a recent three-week peak as the US dollar strengthened following developments tied to the government reopening process. Traders noted that risk sentiment improved marginally, reducing safe-haven demand and capping bullion’s earlier gains. Analysts said that while geopolitical uncertainty continues to support underlying interest, near-term movements remain tightly correlated with currency strength and US macro signals. Market participants added that ETF flows were mixed, reflecting a wait-and-watch stance among institutional buyers assessing real-rate expectations.