By Avinash P

Nov 11 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index struggled

for direction on Tuesday, with gains in energy stocks offsetting

losses in technology shares, as investors awaited developments

following the previous session's rise.

At 10:22 a.m. ET, Toronto's S&P/TSX composite index

was little changed at 30,306.23 points. Higher

commodity prices and a potential end to the longest U.S.

government shutdown had lifted the index on Monday.

The U.S Senate passed a bill late on Monday to end the

shutdown that has weighed on the U.S. economy and stalled

economic data, fueling concerns among Federal Reserve

policymakers and traders on the state of the economy.

"The excitement around the government reopening was strong

yesterday, which surprised me because the market didn't fall

during the shutdown - it actually moved higher once the

reopening was confirmed. That euphoria, however, seems to have

been a one-day phenomenon," said Allan Small, senior investment

advisor at Allan Small Financial Group with iA Private Wealth.

"Now, investors are looking for the next catalyst."

Further dampening risk appetite, the ADP preliminary weekly

payroll figures showed U.S. private employers shed an average of

11,250 jobs.

Concerns about stretched valuations of technology stocks

have also resurfaced. The technology sub-index fell

1.5%, leading sectoral losses.

Oil prices rose due to the latest U.S. sanctions on Russian

oil, pushing the energy sector up 1.1%.

Gold prices hit their highest level in nearly three weeks,

supported by growing expectations of another U.S. interest rate

cut in December and the possible end to the federal shutdown.

Gold stocks rose 0.3%.

Brookfield Renewable Partners shares declined

5.6%, falling to the bottom of the benchmark index, after the

electric utility announced a $650 million equity raise.

Meanwhile, China is willing to resume exchanges with Canada

and cooperate in various fields, its foreign minister told his

Canadian counterpart.