Toronto stocks closed higher on Thursday helped by gains in the tech and industrials sectors. The S&P/TSX composite index rose 31.75 points to finish at 7,541.42.

The information technology sector led with 1.69% gain. Industrials advanced up 0.92%, while energy stocks rose 0.64%.

In the tech sector, Sierra Wireless led the gains, rising $1.41 to $19.80, while Tundra Semiconductor rose 55¢ to $20.15.

Nortel was up 7¢ at $5.77; ATI Technologies added 78¢ to $21.99.

In industrials, Bombardier gained 16¢, to $5.87.

In energy issues, PetroKazakhstan shares rebounded on Thursday from Wednesday’s drubbing as the company disputed a US$6.3 million fine levied on it by the Kazakh antitrust agency. PetroKazakhstan shares closed up $1.85 at $26.70.

Golds were down much of the day, but managed to eke out a 0.1% gain by the close. Gold futures were down $1.30 to US$383.70 an ounce.

Kinross Gold fell 12¢ to $10.08; Placer Dome gained 5¢ to $18.70.


The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index rose 8.32 points to close at 1,393.04.

On Wall Street, stocks posted slight gains, but the mood was subdued ahead of Friday’s key September jobs report.

The blue-chip Dow Jones industrial average edged up 18.60 points to 9,487.80.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose 3.97 point to 1,836.22, while the broader S&P 500 climbed 2.02 points to 1,020.24

Economic reports earlier Thursday painted a mixed picture for the economy. One report showed new orders for manufactured goods fell in August. Another showed that while the number of Americans lining up to claim jobless benefits rose in the latest week, it remained below the closely watched 400,000 mark.

The Canadian dollar rose 0.22¢ to close at US74.56¢.