The benchmark index of the Toronto Stock Exchange finished unchanged Tuesday as gains in energy shares offset declines in financial and gold stocks.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed at down 1.26 points, or unchanged on a percentage basis, 10,547.86,

The financial index dropped 0.7% as shares of Canadian banks fell as news of plans by big U.S. banks to repay government bailout funds raised concerns about whether the move would help the economy recover.

Toronto-Dominion Bank was down 2.3% to $57.50, while Royal Bank of Canada dropped 1.3% to $45.50.

The energy sector gained 1% as oil prices rallied nearly 3% on a weaker U.S. dollar and on hopes for stronger demand.

In Toronto, Suncor Energy added 2.4 % to $38.66, while Petro-Canada rose 2% to $48.78.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index added 12.14 points, or 1.07%, to end at 1,143.96.

The Canadian dollar rose 0.71¢ to close at US90.65¢.

In New York, technology shares rose after an improved outlook from Texas Instruments other sectors were flat.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 1.43 points, or 0.02%, to 8,763.06. The S&P 500 gained 3.29 points, or 0.35%, to 942.43. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index climbed 17.73 points, or 0.96%, to 1,860.13.

IE