Although Toronto stocks closed slightly lower on Friday, it didn’t stop the TSX from posting the first back to back winning months since last year. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 58.95 points, at 6,570.42, but ahead 5% in November.

On a sector basis, the financial index slipped 1.3% while the information technology sector ended the session down nearly 1%.

Shares of Nortel Networks Corp., easily the most
active issue, closed up 8¢, or 2.7 at $3.10/

The session was typically quiet as U.S. markets closed early after Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday.

The junior TSX Venture Exchange edged 4.02 points higher at 955.11.

In New York, U.S. stocks closed a stellar month on a
lackluster note on Friday. Volume was light during the abbreviated trading session.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed down 35.59 points at 8,896.09, according to the latest figures. The broader S&P 500 index was down 2.56 points at 936.31. The tech heavy Nasdaq composite index was down 9.11 points 1,478.83.

The Canadian dollar rose 0.31¢ to US63.88¢ after Statistics Canada reported the economy advanced 0.8% in the third quarter, for an annual change of 3.1%, a bit below market expectations.

That was seen easing pressure on the Bank of Canada to raise interest rates at next Tuesday’s policy announcement.