Toronto stocks fell slightly as investors were content to lock in profits after the recent rally. The S&P/TSX composite index slipped 11.79 points to 7,613.58.

Energy stocks fell about 1.4% as oil prices ended softer in New York on news that record imports bolstered U.S. oil inventories last week.

Tech stocks were up 0.46% and health-care issues were up 0.3%. The gold index was up 0.3% as bullion prices rose in New York.

Nortel Networks shares rose 17¢ to $6.32 following Tuesday’s announcement that it been selected by French mobile phone group Orange SA to build part of its third-generation network.

Research In Motion gained 85¢ to $45.25. Tundra Semiconductor jumped $2.07, to $17.82 after the chipmaker said its second-quarter sales would be better than it previously forecast.

Among healthcare shares, Biomira rose 31¢, to $2.40 ahead a conference with investors, and Qbiotech firm Aeterna Laboratories gained 77¢ to $9.45.

Molson stock fell 35¢ to $34.30. The brewer denied media reports that suggested the company might be open to takeover bids.

Manulife Financial shares fell19¢ to $42.81. The company is buying the Zurich Financial Group’s life insurance business in Indonesia for an undisclosed amount.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index climbed 6.39 points to 1,374.91.

On Wall Street, stocks slipped as investors saw scant reason to buy stocks a day after major indexes hit their biggest gains in nearly two months.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended down 21.69 points, at 9,545.65. The broader S&P 500 index slipped 3.35 points to 1,025.97. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index fell 4.15 points to 1,883.10.

RJR Tobacco shares surged US$4.67 to US$38.86 after it announced plans to chop 40% and concentrate on the promotion of only two of its cigarette brands.

But the firm was also benefiting from a court ruling that rival Altria (which owns Philip Morris) got a favourable court ruling. Altria shares soared US$4.19 to US$44.65.