Markets are up, albeit in very light volume. The TSE 300 has gained 36 points to 7,707.

Volume is extremely light at 41.9 million shares, with buyers holding an eight to five advantage on sellers. Winners outnumber losers nine to seven.

While there’s a bullish bias to trading, there’s not much enthusiasm for it, just lazy gains across the board. Paper stocks are up, as are mines. Auto parts have made some gains, but there are no dramatic moves.

The selling is even more indifferent. Transports, golds and real estate are backing off a bit, but not aggressively.

Techs are showing some gains, with Nortel Networks up 1% on less than 2 million shares. Alcan is leading miners higher, up 2%. Hudsons Bay is up on news that retail sales are holding up.

Financials are making some gains, too, with the banks up moderately. Bank of Montreal is up 1% in active trading. Bank of Nova Scotia is posting a slight gain. There’s also strength in money managers, Amvescap and Seamark.

Other notable gainers include, Siebel, QLT, Premdor, AnorMed, Zi Corp., Schnieder, TVA and DuPont.

The downside is a mixed bag. CHC continues to slide. It is joined by Enserco Energy Services, Trican Well Service, Pivotal, Dia Met, Cogeco Cable, Telus and Descartes Systems.

In business news, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool reports that its 41% interest in Premium Brands Inc. has been successfully sold, with proceeds from the sale used to pay down debt. The pool received $41 million in cash and $5 million in a six-month promissory note for the stake.

Thomson Corp. has completed the planned acquisition of select Harcourt General, Inc. businesses from Reed Elesevier plc for US$2.06-billion in cash.

In New York, the action is lacklustre. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 27 points at midday to 10,506. The Nasdaq composite index has gained 13 points to 2,089. The S&P 500 is up five ticks to 1,213.

The CDNX is making a lazy gain too today. It is up 10 ticks to 3136. Volume is very light there at 11.1 million shares. Techs are up notably, and miners have gained, but oils are down. Genoil Inc is the top trader, and appropriately it is flat at 32¢ on 1.4 million shares.