CANADA STOCKS — TSX slips as Middle East tensions weigh

By Utkarsh Hathi Sept 18 (Reuters) — Canada's main stock index slipped on Friday, with broad-based losses dragging the index lower, as investors weighed the Middle East tensions, while easing oil prices for a third straight session did little to help the sentiment. The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX Composite Index was down 0.47% at 35,706.86 points at 10:23 a.m. ET (14:23 GMT). The benchmark nearly shed all of its gains made earlier in the week as the main TSX sectors were in the negative territory. Oil prices extended declines as reports of additional Saudi crude supplies via Oman and a smaller-than-expected U.S. inventory draw weighed on sentiment. O/R Brent crude eased 0.2%, though it remained above $100, keeping markets concerned about elevated prices of refined-oil products. "Markets remain on eggshells thanks to rising oil prices and bond yields and we are not out of the woods when it comes to the volatility that typically arises during September and October," said Rick Gardner, chief investment officer, RGA Investments. The energy stocks slipped 0.2%, while the heavily weighted financials edged 0.3% lower. The materials sector, that includes metal miners, fell 1.1%, even