It was a flat trading day on the Toronto Stock Exchange 300 composite index, today. Bank and gold stocks held their own against a dragging tech sector. The TSE fell 12.02 points to 7632.70, today. So far this year itÕs down almost 15%.

Canadian semiconductor stocks were mixed despite rating upgrades from Goldman Sachs on a number of U.S. computer-chip makers such as Intel. Canada’s Mitel Corp built on earlier gains to rise 11¢ to $15.25. ATI Technologies fell 11¢ $16.39. Celestica Inc. closed up $1.27 at $70.45.

Tech pessimists were given backing from ABN Amro, which cut its ratings, revenue and profit estimates for several software companies, including Microsoft Corp.

Overall, eight of the TSE’s 14 sub-indexes traded lower. The industrial products sector fell 0.55%. Telecoms equipment heavyweight Nortel Networks Corp. slipped 17¢ to $11.16.

The financial services sector dipped 0.32%, but four of Canada’s big banks closed higher. Toronto-Dominion Bank added14¢, climbing to $38.90. Royal Bank of Canada added 13¢ to $52.63.

The consumer products group jumped 1.14% on strong trading of Biovail Corp. It rose $1.34 to $70.29. Angiotech Pharma rose 58¢ to $81.75.

South of the border, technology stocks climbed, breaking a six-day losing streak. The Goldman Sachs upgrade produced better results for American semiconductor stocks, but the enthusiasm failed to catch on within the broader market.

The NASDAQ composite index rose 25.76 to 1982.23, but the Dow Jones industrial average closed down 0.34 at 10415.91. The Standard & Poor’s 500 edged up 1.05 to 1191.21.

The Canadian dollar climbed, today, but stayed well within recent its trading range. It ended the day at US65.02¢