TORONTO (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock ended lower yesterday, after hovering near the unchanged mark for much of the day, as financial shares weakened and lower oil prices pulled down energy issues, undermining an early rally led by gold and base-metal miners.

Economically sensitive financials fell 1.1 percent in reaction to some bearish economic data and Tuesday's statement by the US Federal Reserve. Manulife Financial shed 4.6 percent to C$12.79 and Toronto-Dominion Bank dropped 1.4 percent to C$74.22.

The Fed hinted on Tuesday that it may embark on a new round of monetary stimulus, which unsettled some investors who had become more optimistic about the economy's prospects and had pushed up North American stocks to the highest levels since the spring.

Also, Canadian bank executives said yesterday that growth in their retail networks could be stunted by a cooling housing market and falling consumer loans.

Data showed a slide in Canadian retail sales in July, and US figures further illustrated a beleaguered housing market south of the border.

Energy shares were down 0.9 percent as oil prices fell after US government inventory data showed a rise in crude and oil product stocks.

Suncor Energy lost 1.5 percent to C$32.35, and Canadian Natural Resources fell 2.1 percent to C$33.47.

The index's materials sector, however, rose more than one percent, boosted by another record day for gold prices and a five-month high for copper prices as the greenback slid after the US Federal Reserve raised expectations of more monetary-policy easing.

Big names on the upside included Barrick Gold Corp , the world's No. 1 gold producer, up 1.3 percent at C$48.66, and Teck Resources , which rose 2.3 percent to C$39.91.

"Half the people see the market doing well, and so they want to be there, and the other half are confused," said Ron Meisels, technical analyst and president of Phases & Cycles in Montreal.

He said September has often been the worst performing month for stocks on the TSX, but the past few weeks have so far defied that trend.

Since late August, the TSX is up about six percent.

"To date in September we have had a fantastic month. The question then, of course, is is this an aberration, are we going to suddenly collapse in last 10 days of September?" Meisels said he doubts that will happen.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 23.31 points, or 0.2 percent, at 12,147.26. Half of its 10 sectors were weaker.