Concerns about potentially higher U.S. interest rates continue to plague North American investors, resulting in another down day for Toronto’s S&P/TSX composite index, which fell 81.13 points, or 0.94%, to 8,535.02.

With positive first-quarter earning results already priced into stocks, analysts are saying that investors are now looking for guidance for the second half of 2004.

Here at home, retail sales rose 2.3% from January on surging auto sales, says Statistics Canada. The figures may be an influence as the Bank of Canada decides whether to end its easing cycle — after three rate cut this year.

All but one of the TSX’s 10 subgroups finished lower, with technology, health-care and gold issues losing more than 2%.

The tech sector lost 2.73%, led by Sierra Wireless, which fell $5.66, or 14.45%, to $33.50. Research In Motion lost $7.60, or 5.46%, at $131.60.

The materials group fell 1.4%. Its gold sub-group lost 2.11%, while the mining sub-sector slid 1.88%.

The energy sector rose 0.53% and was the only sector to make iot to positive ground today as a result of an increase in oil prices amid fear that violence in Iraq may lead to supply disruptions. Precision Drilling rose $3.06, or 4.67%, to $68.62. EnCana Corp. added $1.04, or 1.84%, to $57.65. Petro-Canada shares rose 56¢, or 0.92%, to $61.56, despite reporting that its first-quarter profit fell 11%.

U.S. stocks ended slightly higher today as investors south of the border gave the thumbs-up to positive earnings reports and a batch of encouraging economic data. However, as in Canada, gains were tempered by fear over higher gas prices and interest rates.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 33.43 points, or 0.32%, to 10,478.16, after hitting a high of 10,537.28, earlier today. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 2.59 points, or 0.23%, to 1,138.12. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 4.24 points, or 0.21%, to 2,032.53.