North American markets fell again Thursday as investors were confronted with reports of economic weakness and more profit warnings. The S&P/TSX composite index fell 32.77 points to 6,484.94.

Economic data showed U.S. retail sales were weak in August and the service sector grew by less than analysts were expecting.

Overall, nine of the 13 TSX sub-indices lost ground, led by information technology and industrials. The gold sector, however, surged up 4.15% amid the economic uncertainty.

In actively traded stocks, Bombardier fell 23¢ to $5.85. Nortel shares gave up 5¢ to close at $1.80.

CN shares fell $4.08 to $61.20 after it warned that the severe drought gripping western Canada will trim its profit growth.

Zi Corp plunged $1.64 to $6.11 after it lost a patent infringement case and was told to pay $9 million in damages. The company said it would appeal.

Canadian Western Bank shares slipped 14¢ to $24, after reporting its Q3 net income slipped 2% to $8.06 million.
Barrick Gold rose $1.05 to $25.95; Placer Dome added 64¢ to $16.80.

Toronto volume was a moderate 168 million shares worth $2.1 billion. Decliners topped advancers 525 to 477 with another 206 unchanged

The TSX Venture Exchange edged up 0.98 point to 1,004.8.

In New York, the Nasdaq composite index fell 41.28 points to 1,251.03. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 141.42 points to 8,283.70. TheStandard & Poor’s 500 dropped 14.25 points to 879.15

The Canadian dollar slipped 0.19¢ to US$63.62¢.