Stocks have overcome weakness at the open to trade modestly higher today.

The TSE 300 is up 34 points to 7,180.

Volume is strong today at 79 million shares, with buyers ahead of sellers about five to two. Winners are outnumbering losers nine to eight.

There’s strength in techs and biotechs. Media stocks are also up, joined by financials, real estate and golds. Old economy sectors, such as mines, energy and paper are down.

Nortel Networks is leading the way higher today, up almost 2% on more than 8.3 million shares, in a welcome return to strength.

It is joined by buying in Celestica, Descartes Systems and CAE. Cable and wireless names are up too, with gains in Rogers, Shaw, Rogers Wireless and Bell Canada International.

The banks are enjoying the inevitable boost that comes with lower and lower rates. TD Bank is leading the way higher.

Air Canada is the schadenfreude play of the day, gaining almost 5% on news of trouble at rival Canada 3000. Bombardier is up today too, as is Barrick, Teck and Sears Canada.

Losers include top energy plays, such as Suncor, Husky Energy and Fording. Uncertainty in the sector seems to be to blame.

Weak earnings are hitting names such as Sleeman and Fairfax Financial. There are also losses in Com Dev, Cott, and Decoma.

In earnings news, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd reports that its earnings increased 16% to $646 million from $559 million in the first nine months of 2000. Third quarter earnings amount to $132 million.

In New York, markets are split in modest moves. The Dow Jones industrial average is down just six points to 9,585. The Nasdaq composite is up 10 ticks to 1,845. The S&P 500 is down a point to 1,118.

The CDNX is strong today, up 12 points to 2,969. Volume is robust at 12 million shares.

Technology stocks are leading the way higher, with some support from miners. Seahawk Minerals Ltd. is the top trader, up 10% to 11¢ on 426,900 shares.