TORONTO (Reuters) - The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index ended a choppy day slightly higher yesterday as expectations of a US interest rate cut next week underpinned prices, but oil came off record highs, pulling down energy shares.

The S&P/TSX composite index rose 3.21 points, or 0.02 percent, to close at 13,846.41. On the week, the index was up 1.4 percent.

Five of the benchmark's 10 main groups rose, with the information technology sector leading the way with a rise of 1.06 percent.

Oil prices eased by about $1 a barrel after hitting a record high above $80 a barrel in the previous session, resulting in a 0.22 percent decline for energy stocks.

While energy issues have been among the strongest gainers over the past month, analysts said the market's focus was squarely on the US Federal Reserve, which is widely expected to cut its key interest rate next week from the current 5.25 percent.

"I think the Fed cutting is a foregone conclusion, but some in the market seem to think we're going to see a 50 basis point cut," said Elvis Picardo, investment strategist at Northern Securities in Vancouver.

Analysts said worries about credit conditions continue to weigh on investors' minds, but those concerns have taken a backseat to the anticipation of lower US borrowing costs.