Stocks in Toronto made only slight gains today, though the action was broad-based. The Toronto Stock Exchange S&P/TSX composite index closed up a mere 8.11 points at 6,809.88.

Six of the TSX’s 10 sub-indexes closed higher, but the only real light in a gray trading day was the information technology sector, which rose 1.4%. Shares of Nortel Networks Corp. closed up 22¢, or 6%, at $3.89. Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. added 20¢, almost 4%, at $5.31.

The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index closed up 3.42 at 1122.64. Trading was heavy on a volume of 43.8 million shares worth 15.7 million dollars, with 213 advances, 211 declines and 581 issues unchanged.

South of the border, the story was different today. Technology shares slid while blue chip stocks climbed somewhat. An investment rating downgrade on Dell Computer Corp. hurt the techs.

On the other hand, Nortel Networks Corp. beat the overall trend, adding 17¢, or 7%, to US$2.52. It was the most active stock on the NYSE. Nortel stock hit a new seven-month high as investors placed their bets for a better year for telecom equipment suppliers.

The Nasdaq composite index finished the day with a loss 1.64 points, or 0.11%, at 1,446.08. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 1.09 points, or 0.01%, to 8,785.98, and the S&P 500 Index fell 1.3 points, or 0.14%, to 926.27.