North American markets finished the week on a positive note as solid results from Dell Inc. outweighed concerns over the record high price of oil.

Oil prices surged to a new record above $46 a barrel.

In Toronto, the S&P/TSX 500 composite index rose 40.29 points , or 0.50%, to finish at 8,172.63 — almost unchanged from last Friday.

However, the increase was not broad-based as six of the 13 sub-indices finished the day in the red. Financial issues were among the winners, though, adding 0.51%.

Shares of Hudson’s Bay rose 75¢ to $15 following reports that U.S.-based Target is in advanced talks to buy all or part of the landmark Canadian retailer.

Canaccord Capital rose 57¢ to $8.65 after the brokerage frim reported a first-quarter profit in its first set of earnings after completing its initial public offering in June.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index added 8.23 points, or 0.56%, climbing to 1,480.01.

The Canadian dollar also rose today — climbing more than a cent in the wake of weaker-than-expected U.S. trade data.

The loonie was up US1.21¢ at US76.40¢.

In the U.S. stocks finished slightly higher, but were restrained by the new record price for crude oil — US$46.65 a barrel. This shock offset good news from computer maker Dell, which presented a positive outlook.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed up 10.76 points, or 0.11%, to close unofficially at 9,825.35. The S&P 500 Index closed up 1.57 points, or 0.15%, at 1,064.80. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 4.73 points, or 0.27%, to end at 1,757.22.

For the week, the Dow rose 0.12% and the S&P 500 added 0.o8%, The Nasdaq fell 1.11%.