CANADA STOCKS-TSX opens lower as escalation in Mideast conflict rattles markets

March 19 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index opened lower on Thursday as an escalation in the Middle East conflict following attacks on energy infrastructure in the region sapped risk appetite, while miners slid tracking metal prices lower.

At 09:31 a.m. ET, the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was down 1.6% at 31,798.87.