Markets see-sawed throughout today’s trading, but the TSE 300 managed to squeak by with a gain of 3.78 points to close at 7,542.41.

Nortel Networks combined with strength from two of the big six banks to prevent Toronto stocks from closing in the red.

The TSE’s 14 sub-indices were roughly split between winners and losers. Gains and losses traded within a narrow range, only real estate and conglomerates moving more than 1%.

Strength came from real estate, consumer products, conglomerates and financial services.

The industrial products sub-index, home to Nortel Networks and other technology stocks fell back a slight 0.11%. Nortel was the day’s top trader, advancing 21¢ to close at $10.28. Volume was 8.4 million shares.

Trading was also heavy in Oxford Properties at 6 million shares, but the stock closed flat, down 2¢ at $23.45

Volume was 123.7 million shares. Over market momentum was negative with 466 advances, 532 declines and 241 issues closing unchanged.

TD Bank gained $1.31 to close at $40.70 following the bank’s release of third quarter earnings. TD said its bottom line net income (including one-time charges) rose to $321 million, or 51 cents a share, in the third quarter. Volume was 4.2 million shares.

Two other bank that reported earnings earlier in the week saw opposite outcomes today. Royal Bank fell $1.23 to $49.73, while CIBC gained 95¢ to close at $54.55.

The CDNX Index closed down 12.96 points at 3,051.01. Trading was heavy on a volume of 35.8 million shares with 147 advances, 194 declines and 531 issues unchanged.

Sellers took control late in Thursday’s session, pushing both the Dow Industrials and Nasdaq lower The Dow Jones industrial average fell 47.75 points to 10,229.15. The S&P 500 slipped 3.22 points to 1,162.09. The Nasdaq composite index gave up 17.04 points to 1,842.97.