Stocks in Toronto gathered strength as today’s session drew to a close. The Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index finished up 51.82 points, or 0.83%, at 6,326.61 points on Friday.

Strong corporate news, especially from tech companies, boosted the market 5.8% on the week. Since a four-year low earlier this month, the TSX has climbed an 11.1%. Eight of the 10 TSX subgroups finished higher today.

Tech stocks rose 3.02%, boosted by good news from Nortel Networks Corp., which posted a third-quarter loss late yesterday that was lower than expected. Nortel shares climbed 33% this week. Today they rose 7¢ to $1.00. Another tech giant, Microsoft Corp., posted almost doubled earnings and boosted its financial outlook. Celestica rode the good news wave, adding $1.40, or 8%, at $18.95.

The financial sector rose 1.53%, hitting its highest level since late August. Bank of Nova Scotia climbed $1.24, or 2.6%, to $48.95. Royal Bank of Canada $1.13, or 2%, to $57.25.

The news wasn’t as good for Canada’s venture exchange. The S&P CDNX slid slightly, dropping 0.63 to 902.39.

South of the 49 parallel, stocks rose today, rebounding from early losses. The Nasdaq Composite Index benefited from the good tech sector news, gaining 15.57 points, or 1.22%, to 1,287.86. The Dow Jones Industrial average added 47.36 points, or 0.57%, to 8,322.40. The Dow cam back from a 100-point drop early in the day. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 5.19 points, or 0.59%, to 884.39.