March 12 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose modestly on Monday, buoyed by improved risk appetite in global markets but declines in energy shares and gold producers capped gains as commodity prices fell.
* At 10:08 a.m. EDT (1408 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was up 15.53 points, or 0.1 percent, at 15,593.34.
* The energy group .SPTTEN retreated 0.3 percent, weighed by Suncor Energy Inc SU.TO , which fell 0.7 percent to C$41.47, and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd CNQ.TO , down 0.2 percent at C$38.83.
* U.S. crude CLc1 prices were down 1.1 percent at $61.39 a barrel, erasing earlier gains on expectations that U.S. output will rise this year. O/R
* The gold subsector .SPTTGD further pressured the market, falling 0.3 percent as investors sold gold amid stronger risk appetite. Iamgold Corp IMG.TO fell 2.9 percent to C$6.34, while Eldorado Gold Corp ELD.TO lost 3.1 percent to C$1.41. GOL/
* The losses in the commodity-related sectors were offset by a better tone in global markets as world stocks surged to a two-week high. MKTS/GLOB
* In Toronto, financial shares .SPTTFS helped support the market, with the sector up 0.2 percent. Bank of Nova Scotia BNS.TO was one of the biggest lifts on the index, edging up 0.4 percent to C$81.03.
* The TSX posted two new 52-week highs and three new lows. Across all Canadian issues there were 32 new 52-week highs and nine new lows. Volume on the TSX index was 21.19 million shares.