Resource issues continued to support Toronto stocks Thursday while New York indexes were mixed. At midday, the S&P/TSX composite index was up 45.80 points at 8,833.91 on volume of 128 million shares.

Eight of the 10 TSX groups were higher led by the materials group, up 1.31%, and energy stocks, up 0.61%. Technology shares were up 0.16%, while finanicial issues were ahead 0.34%.

In the materials group, Abitibi jumped 76¢, or 11%, to $7.46 after reporting a third-quarter profit of $182 million.

Teck Cominco climbed $1.11, or 4%, to $28.60.

Energy stocks rose, even as the the price of crude oil retreated. Crude for December delivery was priced at US$54.35 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Wednesday, crude topped $55 again before pulling back in late trading.

In today’s earnings news, Imperial Oil reported a third-quarter profit of $539 million, a new high for the company. Imperial shares were flat at $70.70.

Shell Canada also had its most profitable third quarter ever this year, reporting profits of $451 million. Shell shares edged up 4¢ to $75.29.

Shares in Sears Canada Inc. fell 65¢, or 3.85% to $16.25, after the retailer announced it was lowering its full-year profit guidance due to a smaller-than-expected quarterly profit.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index edged up 0.08 of a point at 1,663.25.

On Wall Street, blue chips bounced off lows and the Nasdaq extended gains as oil prices stabilized and EBay’s strong third quarter earnings report fueled a rebound in technology shares.

At midday, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 12.10 points at 9,874.83, but well off an early low of 9,841.86.

American International Group fell 0.7% on weaker-than-expected earnings and a new legal setback for the insurer.

The tech-havey Nasdaq composite index gained 8.79 points to 1,941.76.

The broader S&P 500 was up 1.88 points at 1,105.54.

In economic news, the U.S. Conference Board said that its index of leading indicators edged lower in September for the fourth month in a row, indicating a slowing in economic growth. The indicator of upcoming activity in the economy fell 0.1% last month, following declines of 0.3% in August and 0.3% in July.