Australian exports sank for the second month in a row in May as falling commodity prices and the global downturn battered an economy showing mixed signs of weathering the worst of the crisis. Exports fell 5 per cent, pushing the country into a trade deficit of 556 million Australian dollars ($514.7-million) in May after a $282-million-Australian-dollar shortfall in April, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data. May imports fell 4 per cent, reflecting a weak business climate. Big reductions in coal prices Australian miners negotiated with Japanese buyers came into effect in the period, and underscored a 15-per-cent fall in the value of coal exports in May, the data showed.   Saturday, July 04, 2009

(Down)Energy shares slide on falling commodity pricesThe SandP/TSX composite index lost 1.2 per cent as energy producers fell. Suncor Energy sank 6.3 per cent as crude for August delivery settled at $66.73 (U.S.) a barrel in New York, off $2.58. Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. lost 4.6 per cent as natural gas declined.   Friday, July 03, 2009

Gold futures briefly fell below $930 (U.S.) an ounce yesterday, losing 1 per cent as worse-than-expected U.S. non-farm payroll lossesdecreased gold's appeal as a hedge against inflation and bolstered the U.S. dollar. Gold for August delivery settled at $931, off $10.30.   Friday, July 03, 2009

kyakabuski@globeandmail.comWhen Michael Davis-Burchat moved to Finland for a job at Nokia Corp. last year, the Canadian-born industrial designer made the switch for more than a chance to work for the world's biggest cellphone maker or live amid the Jugendstil architecture of his adopted Helsinki neighbourhood.   Wednesday, July 01, 2009