The major stock market indices were narrowly mixed in the opening minutes Friday.

It is expected to be a slow day, as many traders were unable to make it to work in the wake of the blackout that hit Ontario and much of the northeastern United States. As well, August is generally a slow time for equity markets.

The Toronto Stock Exchange S&P/TSX composite index fell 10.29 points to 7,383.47.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up about 10 points at the 9,321 level, while the Nasdaq composite index was off about 5 at the 1,694 level. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was down about 4 points at the 987 level.

In Toronto and New York, subways are still closed, preventing many commuters from getting to work.

Overnight in Japan, the Nikkei ended lower on Friday following a brief climb above 10,000. It closed down 50 points at 9,863.47, ending a five-day winning run.

In Europe, shares in economy-sensitive automobile and consumer goods companies lifted European stock markets to fresh eight-month highs on Friday.

The blackout had little impact on trading on Thursday as it occurred about 15 minutes after the close of trading.

The TSX went to backup generators after the power grid collapsed.

Toronto stocks finished higher on Thursday as gold and technology issues helped carry the broader market to its sixth straight winning session.

The S&P/TSX composite index rose 21.48 points to close at 7,393.76.

The Dow Jones industrial average finished closed up 38.80 at 9310.56

The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 13.73 points, to 1700.34.

Canada’s composite leading indicator posted its largest increase in one year with a 0.4&% gain in July, Statistics Canada said Friday.

Analysts had forecast, on average, a 0.2% increase in July from June. Statscan said July’s 0.4% gain owed to continued strength in household spending, an upturn in business investment and the stock market.