Toronto stocks closed modestly higher in thin trading Friday. The S&P/TSX composite index gained 14.15 points, to finish at 6,571.72.

Ten of the TSX’s subgroups finished higher as an upbeat outlook from U.S. computer-maker Dell helped the information technology sector gain 2.37%.

Celestica Inc. added $2.43 to $37.08, while Cognos gained $1.52 to $27.38.

The gold sector was the only significant loser, off 2% Placer Dome fell 46¢ to $14.10. It said it would extend its bid Australia’s AurionGold until August 30.

Market momentum was positive, as 512 issues advanced while 462 declined.

ATI Technologies jumped 70¢ to $10.16 as competitor Nvidia reported a smaller second-quarter profit.

Air Canada gained 22¢ to $5.47, while CAE rose 12¢ to $6.46. Both stocks were sideswiped earlier this week by problems in the U.S. airline industry.

Markets digested economic reports from both sides of the border Friday, including one from Statistics Canada that the composite index rose 0.2% in July led by a strengthening manufacturing sector

American reports showed a drop in consumer sentiment. The University of Michigan’s closely watched consumer sentiment survey slipped to 87.9 in August from 88.1 in July/

Another report showed U.S. consumer inflation well under control – nudging up just 0.1% in July.

The junior TSX Venture Exchange ended flat at 1,011.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average gave back earlier gains and finished down 40.15 points to 8,777.99. Buoyed by the good news from Dell, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose 15.84 points to 1,360.85.

The S&P 500 index closed down 1.49 points at 928.76.

The Canadian dollar was unchanged at US64.08¢.