TSX slips on euro zone debt worries

Toronto's main stock index sank 1 percent Monday as investor confidence was again rattled by worries over fallout from European sovereign debt troubles.

The retreat came as spot gold prices were slightly softer. Top names on the downside included Barrick Gold Corp. down 3.7 percent at $37.04, and Goldcorp Inc. off 3.4 percent at $36.88.

Suncor Energy Inc. dropped 1.9 percent to $31.28, even as oil prices rose nearly 1 percent to above $71 US a barrel after three sessions of losses.

Steve Ibel, institutional equities trader at Beacon Securities in Halifax, Nova Scotia said the market was generally worried about the fiscal health of some smaller euro zone countries.

"It's basically concern over European debt, with Greece, Portugal and Spain namely," said Ibel.

"Until we get some more clarification with what's going on in Europe we could see (North American) markets going sideways, or going lower."

The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index finished the day down 107.82 points, or 0.96 percent, at 11,115.30, with all 10 of its main groups lower.

On the upside were Teck Resources, up 0.9 percent at $34.50 Cdn, and Royal Bank of Canada, which climbed 0.2 percent to $53.06

The Dow Jones industrial average slid 103.84 points, or 1.04 percent, at 9,908.39. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index dropped 9.45 points, or 0.89 percent, at 1,056.74. The Nasdaq Composite Index declined 15.07 points, or 0.70 percent, at 2,126.05.

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