TORONTO (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index ended little changed yesterday after a volatile day, as optimism over the state of the US economy countered festering worries over Europe's fiscal health.

On the leaderboard, Teck Resources soared 5.1 percent to C$32.73, Royal Bank of Canada rebounded to end 0.8 percent higher at C$52.89, while Suncor Energy rose 0.5 percent to C$31.95.

Among the heavyweight decliners, Barrick Gold Corp cut gains to end 0.7 percent lower at C$45.49, while Potash Corp dropped 2.5 percent to C$98.74.

"The market has been tough lately ... on a day when gold and oil and the US are climbing, I have no idea what's holding us back," said Barry Schwartz, vice-president and portfolio manager at Baskin Financial Services.

"There seems to be a dark cloud hanging over the market and only a few good up days will make people feel better and change the mood around."

Earlier in the day, Fitch Ratings warned that Britain was facing a formidable fiscal challenge and said its public debt ratio had climbed more quickly than those of other top-rated sovereign credits.

"I don't think anyone expects the debt is going to be restricted to just Greece or Portugal," said Michael Sprung, president of Sprung & Co. Investment Counsel.

"I think investors are beginning to turn their attention to the UK, which seems to be heading into the next problem ... and then eventually, we've got the US to worry about."

The news partly offset reassuring comments by US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke that the US economy will likely avoid a "double-dip" recession and that European leaders are committed to ensuring the survival of the euro. The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index closed 12.44 points, or 0.1 percent, higher at 11,517.18. Six of the 10 sectors were higher.

The index opened in positive territory, helped in part by rallying gold shares on the back of record high prices, but struggled in the red for most of the day.

US crude oil futures rose to just shy of $72 a barrel, while gold hit an all-time peak above $1,250 an ounce as investors flocked to the safety of the precious metal over fears about European credit contagion.

While the gold mining subsector ended the day 0.3 percent, higher, it had tapered off from bigger gains.

"How much higher can gold go really?" added Schwartz.