Gold futures for February delivery lost $122 or 7.1% while NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index declined by 9.1% over the last week being 20% lower from the September's record. However, excessive selling of gold did not uncover big Eastern demand for yellow metal with 35% higher commodity turnover on the Shanghai Gold Exchange. Experts claim the panic on the gold markets was provoked by central banks' selling and the upward trend is likely to return to the gold market.