Stocks are barely changed in a mixed trading session today. At midday, the S&P/TSX index has gained 14 points to 6,611.

Volume remains rather strong at 110.4 million shares, with the buying tripling the selling. Market breadth is more even, but still bullish, as winners outnumber losers five to four.

Tech stocks are providing the strength today, gaining another 3.5%, as traders look for bargains in that group. There is also a bit of support in financials and diversified firms. There is weakness in health care names, real estate and telecoms.

Naturally, Nortel Networks is leading the way higher, gaining 10% on 29.6 million shares. Zarlink Semi is up almost 6%, and there are substantial gains in ATI, CGI, and CAE. Ballard Power is down however.

The financials remain another hot area today. Canada Life is up another 18¢ to $41.25, in hopes of a higher takeover bid. And, Manulife Financial’s paper is getting more valuable, too, up another 1.1% in strong trading.

Banks are seeing some gains, led by a 1.4% jump for Scotiabank. CIBC and Royal are also up a bit.

There is unusually strong action in the stock of independent broker, Rockwater Capital, it is up 8% on big volume.

Other gainers include Bombardier, CHC Helicopter and First Calgary Petroleums.

Domtar is leading the way down, dropping almost 5% in heavy volume on news that the Quebec government’s investment arm, Societe Generale de Financement du Quebec, is selling its 16% stake in the firm for about $619 million.

There is also selling in Rider Resources, Nexen, Molson, Clublink and Biovail.

In earnings news, Empire Co. has reported net earnings of $38.8 million versus $42.3 million last year.

Cogeco Cable reported that net income from recurring operations was $12 million, compared with $17 million in the last fiscal year.

San Francisco Boutiques recorded a net loss of $839,000 last quarter, compared with net earnings of $213,000 in 2001.

In M&A news, Mediagrif Interactive Technologies has completed the purchase of Merx, the e-tendering service previously owned and operated by BMO Financial Group. The purchase price, payable in cash, is $6.5 million, subject to certain postclosing adjustments for working capital and performance-based royalty payments payable to BMO.

SNC-Lavalin has acquired certain assets from the Eichleay Group, including the industrial business sectors of Pittsburgh-based Eichleay Engineers and Constructors.

In New York, stocks are also boasting a modest gain, trading up after a weaker open. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 30 points to 8,604. The S&P 500 has added four points to 908. The Nasdaq compsite index is 13 points higher at 1,403.

The small caps remain weaker today, with the S&P/TSX Venture index down six ticks to 961. Volume is quite heavy at more than 20.4 million shares. Exceed Capital is the day’s top trader, flat at 1¢ with 4.77 million shares changing hands.