North American markets closed mixed as investors digested stronger than expected employment reports on both sides of the border Friday.

Toronto stocks closed flat as weakness among gold issues and nervous, thin trade prevented emulation of solid gains on U.S. markets. The S&P/TSX composite index drifted down from a 46-point gain to close with a decline of 5.19 points to 6,479.75.

Statistics Canada reported that 59,000 jobs were created in August, driving the jobless rate down a tenth of a percentage point to 7.5%

The employment picture was even brighter in the United States, where the jobless rate declined to 5.7% from 5.9%. Analysts had expected American unemployment to hold steady or worsen.

The Toronto the information technology sector gained 1.5%. Nortel Networks was down 3¢ at $1.77, but Celestica was ahead $1.45 to $34.81 and ATI Technologies gained 65¢ to $9.10.

The energy sector finished up 0.9% with the price of crude for October delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange ahead 50¢ at US$29.61 a barrel. Talisman Energy added 84¢ to $64.73 and Suncor traded 30¢ higher at $27.30.

The gold sector slipped 1% even as the spot price of the precious metal edged up $1.50 to US$319.90 an ounce. Placer Dome lost 40¢ to $16.40.

Toronto volume was 141.4 million shares worth $1.61 billion, with advances outnumbering declines 532 to 492 and 197 issues unchanged.

The junior TSX Venture exchange rose 0.55 point to 1,004.63, off 18 points on the week.

Markets south of the border recorded solid gains as data on the U.S. labor market soothed jitters about the economy and investors expressed relief over Intel’s outlook.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 143.50 points to 8,427.20.

The Nasdaq added 44.29 points to 1,295.29. The S&P 500 index climbed 14.76 points to 8,93.91.

Today’s robust employment report sent the Canadian dollar soaring 0.49¢ to US64.11¢.