TORONTO (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index eked out a small gain yesterday after rebounding from a near seven-week low as sagging energy shares were offset by renewed strength in golds and financials.

A turnaround in banking stocks helped lead the small advance, with Royal Bank of Canada up 1.25 percent at C$53.37 and by Bank of Montreal ahead 1.4 percent at C$53.38. The country's other three big banks also finished in positive territory, helping the financials group rise 0.42 percent.

Gold producers were also a key support as the precious metal rallied from a session low to finish at just under $1,100 an ounce. Barrick Gold was among the major gainers, up 0.8 percent at C$38.38.

But energy issues continued to be key downside movers, in concert with a weaker price of crude oil, which at one point dipped below $74 a barrel. EnCana led the heavyweight decliners with a 1.77 percent fall to C$33.76. The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index finished up 6.68 points, or 0.06 percent, at 11,361.19.

The TSX swung to to its lowest level since Dec. 9 on concerns over the economic recovery after China's clampdown on lending raised doubts about the robustness of Chinese demand for commodities such as oil.

The index managed to regain early losses, but ended the session much where it began as uncertainty prevailed, said Peter Chandler, senior vice-president at Canaccord Wealth Management.

"Markets can handle good news. Markets can handle bad news. But what the markets have a tough time digesting, is not knowing what the news is. If there's one thing that bothers them, it's uncertainty," said Mr. Chandler. "That's sort of where the market is."

He pointed to the impact of China's policy moves, the White House's plan to rein in big US banks, and the depth of the global economic recovery as examples of uncertainty.