Markets are little changed at midday. The TSE 300 is down six points to 7,445 on relatively light volume of 79.3 million shares.

Buyers hold a slight edge on sellers, but losers marginally outnumber losers.

The confusion over the outlook for corporate profits seems to be dictating the trade, rather than any serious news flow.

Today’s losers are led by technology, software and engineers. Cable stock, paper plays and funds are weak too. Against this, golds and mines are strong, as is real estate.

Barrick Gold is leading the trade today, up about 2% in heavy volume. It is joined by strength in Placer Dome and Franco Nevada. Stelco, Dofasco, Tesco, Bombardier and Finning are also up.

Among tech stocks, Nortel Networks is sliding a bit more today. But it being counter-balanced by advances in Celestica. There are also gains in Descartes Systems and Microcell.

Other weak tech and telecom players include Bell Canada International, Ballard Power, Telus, and Cognos. Rogers is leading the cable stocks southward.

The banks are split today, with Scotia and Royal sliding in active volume, accompanied by Manulife. TD, however, is nursing a small gain.

In New York, the price changes are similarly minor. At midday, the Dow Jones industrial average is down a mere two points to 9,764. The Nasdaq composite is unchanged at 1,946. The S&P 500 has dropped a point to 1,118.

The S&P/CDNX Composite Index is up four points at middayto 989. Volume is strong at 17.5 million shares Phonetime Inc is the top trader down 11% to 8¢ on 2.2 million shares.