(Reuters) - Canada's stock index futures pointed to a flat opening on Thursday as the crisis in Ukraine continued to unsettle markets and investors digested key U.S. labor data.
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Crimea's parliament voted to join Russia and its Moscow-backed government set a referendum within 10 days on the decision in a dramatic escalation of the crisis over the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula.
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected and hit a three-month low last week, a sign of strength in a labor market that has been hobbled by severe weather.
Oil and gas giants Chesapeake Energy and Encana Corp <ECA.TO> were charged on Wednesday with colluding to keep oil and gas lease prices artificially low in Michigan, state Attorney General Bill Schuette said.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd <CNQ.TO>, Canada's No.2 oil and gas company, reported a 17 percent rise in quarterly profit, helped by higher output at its Pelican Lake project in Alberta.
CANADIAN STOCKS TO WATCH
Linamar Corp <LNR.TO>: The auto parts maker reported higher net earnings for the fourth quarter on Wednesday, bolstered by stronger sales in North America, Asia and Europe.
Kinross Gold Corp <K.TO>: The miner said unionized employees went on strike at its Maricunga mine in Chile, forcing it to suspended operations at the site.
($1= $1.10 Canadian)
(Reporting by Ayesha Sruti Ahmed in Bangalore; Editing by Sophie Hares)
hollywoodtone.blogspot.com TSX little changed as Canadian Natural fall offsets U.S. data