CANADA STOCKS-TSX hits 5-week high after U.S. data; Canadian Natural falls

TORONTO, March 7 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index
opened higher on Thursday, hitting a five-week high, as positive
U.S. jobless claims numbers more than offset a decline in
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd after the independent
oil producer reported a sharp fall in quarterly profit.
The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index
was up 28.01 points, or 0.22 percent, at 12,859.97
shortly after the open. It rose as far as 12,869.64, its highest
point since in Jan. 30.