U.S. futures traders in Chicago observed a minute of silence at 12:00 ET as trading resumed in a somber mood in the United States today.

Gains in U.S. Treasuries continued in light trading in the bond markets. Trading has been characterized as orderly as firms have maintained a gentleman’s agreement not to prey on the market’s vulnerabilities today.

In Canada, equities have generally been buoyant. At midday the TSE 300 is up 54 points in relatively active trading to 7,103. Mexico’s markets are closed today, and Brazil’s Bovespa index has dropped 4.4%.

In Europe, stocks showed some resilience. The FTSE gained 61 points to 4,943. France’s CAC 40 dropped just 0.4 points to close at 4,114. The DAX added 24 points to close at 4,359. Other continental markets all posted gains.

Back in Toronto, it’s more or less business as usual today. Although, the Toronto Stock Exchange suspended trading today in U.S.-based interlisted companies, such as TD Waterhouse.

Nevertheless, volume is reasonably strong at 104 million shares, with buyers leading sellers by ten to seven. Losers outnumber winners five to four, and new lows outnumber new highs by almost nine to one.

Golds are giving up post-tragedy gains, as are oils. Transports are down, too, but just about everything else is up. Pipelines, conglomerates, techs and real estate are all strong. Miners and financials are up, as is everything else.

The top trader is Anderson Exploration, making decent gains. But Pan-Canadian, Talisman and others are backing off.

CP is up, as are stocks such as Nortel Networks, Canadian Tire, Ballard Power, AGF. Financials are up, although Manulife is sliding, as is CIBC, TD and Fairfax. Sun Life is gaining in active trading

Research in Motion is up in the wake of stories about its Blackberry devices being used to communicate among World Trade Center survivors, while cell phones failed.

Vasogen is up more than 30%, although the company has issued a statement denying that it knows why. Recent FDA drug approval may have something to do with demand for the stock.

On the downside, Rogers Wireless is down 33% on news of investors’ rebuff of Rogers’ takeover bid. Mosaid is down 29% as traders react to its earlier restructuring announcement.

Stocks related to the WTC disaster are down, such as Air Canada and Trizec-Hahn. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has dropped 15% after it released a statement noting that it is uncertain how the travel and lodging industry will be affected by the disaster.

The Canadian Venture Exchange is bucking the day’s upward trend. The CDNX index is down 54 points in active trading to 2,885. Volume is strong at 18.4 million shares. Techs are down 4.3%, leading the way. Mines and oils are down a bit too. Goldnev Resources Inc is the top trader up 75% to 7¢ on 3.9 million shares.