CANADA STOCKS-TSX may open little changed; China, Ukraine worries weigh

March 13 (Reuters) - Canadian stock index futures looked set to open flat to slightly higher in cautious trading on Thursday, but concerns surrounding China's growth and Ukraine's continued political tensions could cap gains.

TOP STORIES

* Concerns over Chinese growth and political tensions in Ukraine took the fizz out of an attempted rally in riskier assets on Thursday, as world shares steadied after their biggest falls for nearly two weeks. News Search ID:nL6N0MA1B9

* Canadian home prices rose in February, pushing a national index of prices to a record high for the second month in a row, the Teranet-National Bank Composite House Price Index showed on Wednesday. News Search ID:nL2N0M90WL

* Empire Co Ltd EMPa.TO reported a steep fall in quarterly profit, hurt by higher inventory losses and higher costs due to a weaker Canadian dollar. News Search ID:nL3N0M9543

* Tour operator Transat AT Inc TRZb.TO reported a bigger quarterly loss as a weak Canadian dollar pushed up operating expenses. News Search ID:nL3N0M93WG

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MARKET SNAPSHOT

* Canada stock futures 0#SXF: traded up 0.04 percent

* U.S. stock futures 0#SP: , 0#DJ: , 0#ND: were up

* European shares .FTEU3 , .STOXX were mixed Href="NewsSearch">.EU

COMMODITY PRICE MOVES

* Thomson Reuters-Jefferies CRB Index .TRJCRBTR : 303.8724; rose 0.07 percent

* Gold futures GCc1 : $1,372.1; rose 0.13 percent Href="NewsSearch">GOL/

* US crude CLc1 : $98.35; rose 0.37 percent Href="NewsSearch">O/R

* Brent crude LCOc1 : $107.92; fell 0.09 percent Href="NewsSearch">O/R

* LME 3-month copper CMCU3 : $6,473.5; fell 0.48 percent

Href="NewsSearch">MET/L

ANALYSTS' RECOMMENDATIONS

Following is a summary of research actions on Canadian companies reported by Reuters. Href="NewsSearch">RCH/CA

* Ag Growth International Inc AFN.TO : CIBC cuts target price to C$46.50 from C$48 to reflect unrest in Ukraine which effects the long-term growth in the Black Sea area.

* Crescent Point Energy Corp CPG.TO : CIBC raises price target of C$50.50 from C$49.50 based on the company's above-consensus fourth-quarter results and strong reserves driven by technological innovation

* Healthlease Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

HLP_u.TO : CIBC raises target price to C$12 from C$11.50, says the company's increase in FFO comes as a result of contributions from accretive acquisitions, property development and interest income

* Newalta Corp NAL.TO : CIBC raises target price to C$20 from C$19.50 citing the company's new strategic direction and expected high return growth in the Heavy Oil segment

* Semafo Inc SMF.TO : CIBC raises target price to C$5.50 from C$5, says Mana bouncing back in a big way in 2014 with the addition of two new highgrade sources, sees grade to increase by more than 50 percent

ON THE CALENDAR

* Major Canadian data include new housing PI and capacity utilization ECONCA

* Major U.S. data includes initial and continuing claims, retail sales and business inventories

($1= $1.10 Canadian)

(Reporting by Ayesha Sruti Ahmed in Bangalore; Editing Sofina Mirza-Reid)

((ayeshasruti.ahmed@thomsonreuters.com)(91 80 6749 4811)(Reuters Messaging:)(ayeshasruti.ahmed.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: MARKETS CANADA/STOCKS