Gold prices plunged on the last trading day of the week on concerns of global slowdown and weakness in demand in Asia after recent volatility in the global stock markets, particularly China. Heavy long liquidation by traders pushed the prices down despite weakness in dollar and buoyant crude oil prices. April Gold at NYMEX shed 3.2% during the session to close at $644.1 an ounce. The net supply of gold from the mining sector in 2006 amounted to 2,076 tonnes, compared with a net 2,436 tonnes in 2005 according to the latest Global Hedge book analysis. De-hedging is likely to drop 7-8 million ounces per annum in each of 2007, 2008 and 2009, with a slight increase in 2009 before a sharp drop in 2010. Comex warehouse stocks remained unchanged at 7,487,176 ounces. | TUG-OF-WAR: Bulls vs. Bears |