Markets remain slightly in positive territory this morning, although early strength has been muted by ongoing anthrax fears.

The latest fears come on the news that the U.S. House may be shuttered for four days for decontamination. CNN reports that more than 20 people people have tested positive for anthrax. The closing will delay any planned economic stimulus measures before the House.

Nevertheless, the TSE 300 is clinging to a 23-point gain to 7,050. Volume is stronger today at 84 million shares.

Buyers are beating sellers two to one, and winners have a five to four edge on losers.

Tech hardware is leading the way higher, up 3.4%, after both IBM and Intel said they would meet expectations this quarter. There are also gains in utilities, financials and golds. Weakness is evident in paper stocks, transports and other subsectors of the TSE.

Nortel Networks and Celestica are back leading the techs higher today, as profit outlooks for the group improve. GT Group Telecom, Sierra Wireless, Certicom and Cryptologic are also gaining today. Research in Motion is slumping.

Energy stocks are also providing some heavy action on the TSE. Westcoast Energy and Rio Alto are up in heavy trading, but gains are tempered by weakness in Suncor Energy.

There are also gains in Southward Energy and Hurricane Hydrocarbons, albeit on lighter volume. CP Ships is gaining today, too.

Financials are mixed with gains in Bank of Nova Scotia overcoming weakness in CIBC.

There is also weakness in names such as Bombardier, Falconbridge, CNR, Abitibi, Noranda, Cott and MDS. Thomson is down 4.5% after announcing lower earnings guidance.

In other news, Danier Leather Inc is reporting that for the 13 weeks ended September 29, its net loss was $2.3 million, compared with a net loss of $1.2 million for the same period last year.

Also, Theratechnologies recorded, for the third quarter of 2001, net earnings of $31,631,000 or $1.15 per share, compared with $5,149,000 or 20¢ per share for the same period in 2000. The loss before gains on investments in companies and non-controlling interests reached $3,471,000 for this quarter compared with $1,448,000 in 2000.

In New York, early gains on profit hopes have been shaved too, all the way into the red, thanks to the latest developments in the anthrax scare.

At midday, the Dow Jones industrial average is down 21 points to 9,363. The Nasdaq composite index has dropped 26 ticks to 1,695. The S&P 500 is down four points to 1,093.

The small caps are weak, too, down six points to 2,879. Volume is strong at 15.7 million shares. Techs are leading the way down, as are miners and oils. Predator Capital Inc. is the top trader, up 125% to 45¢ on 1.6 million shares.