Toronto stocks slipped lower Wednesday as surging energy stocks offset sliding technology issues. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 9.57 points to 6,801.41.

The information technology group fell 2.25% as Nortel Networks shed 27¢ to $3.71 on a volume of 38million shares traded.

Other tech losers included Celestica, down 41¢ to $26.09 and Tundra Semiconductor, down 20¢ at $7.20.

The energy index was the biggest gainer, climbing 1.49% on the heels of higher oil and natural gas prices. Energy prices rose as U.S. oil inventories fell near 27-year lows, the Venezuela strike dragged on, and cold weather moved into the U.S. industrial northeast.

EnCana rose 46¢ to $46.52 and Petro-Canada jumped ahead 79¢ at $48.20.

Financial companies were under pressure, with TD Bank down 43¢ to $34.23 and Manulife losing $1 to $36.57.

Onex Corp. slipped 12¢ to $16.39 after cancelling a $126-million acquisition of Landmark Theatres, the largest art-house cinema chain in the United States.

Toronto volume was 239.6 million shares worth $2.7 billion. Advances edged out declines 564 to 554 with 192 unchanged.

The TSX Venture Exchange edged up 0.48 point to 1,111.05.

In New York, the Dow industrial average lost 119.44 points to 8,723.18 after Intel’s mixed earnings report Tuesday evening.

The Nasdaq composite index lost 22.19 points to 1,438.8, and the S&P 500 was down 13.44 points at 918.22.

The Canadian dollar closed over 65¢ US for the first time since mid-July on Wednesday. The loonie rose 0.16 cent to US65.07¢.