CANADA STOCKS-TSX futures muted as Middle East conflict weighs

March 5 (Reuters) - Futures tracking Canada's main stock index were muted on Thursday, even as gold and oil prices gained, with investors being cautious amid the rising Middle East conflict.

March futures on the S&P/TSX composite index SXFcv1 were down 0.02%, as of 5:34 a.m. ET.

The conflict in the Middle East, which has pressured global markets, entered its sixth day with Israel launching a large wave of strikes on Tehran after Iranian missiles sent millions of Israelis rushing into bomb shelters.

On Wall Street, U.S. S&P 500 e-mini futures EScv1 and Nasdaq 100 E-minis NQcv1 were flat.

Spot gold XAU= rose 0.4% on safe-haven demand, though a stronger U.S. dollar and concerns around the Federal Reserve's monetary policy limited the gains. Silver XAG= rose 0.6%, while copper HGc1 prices fell.

Oil prices extended gains as concerns over production and supply disruption lingered, with the Chinese government also instructing the largest oil refiners to suspend exports of diesel and gasoline. O/R

Brent crude futures LCOc1 rose 1.5%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 gained 2.3%.

Toronto's benchmark index .GSPTSE on Wednesday closed 0.5% higher on a rebound from the previous session's declines, as tech stocks gained more than 2%, while heavyweight financials and mining shares rose as well.

In other developments, Canada has signed new agreements on critical minerals with Australia, the countries said on Thursday.

In corporate news, oil and gas producer Canadian Natural Resources CNQ.TO surpassed analysts' expectations for fourth-quarter profit.

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