By DAVID GEORGE-COSH The Canadian dollar was unchanged against the U.S. dollar Thursday, as a decisions by both the European Central Bank and Bank of England to keep their interest rates steady failed to drive much activity in the Canadian currency. The U.S. dollar was recently at C$0.9915, from C$0.9917 late Wednesday, according to data provider CQG. The U.S. dollar traded within a 27-point range during the overnight session as low volatility in currency markets continues to keep trading thin. The ECB left its official interest rate unchanged for the fifth month in a row at 0.75%, as expected. The BOE also left its interest rates unchanged at 0.5% while keeping its stimulus program on hold. In U.S. data, the number of new jobless claims dropped by 25,000 to 370,000 in the week ended Dec. 1, slightly below 375,000 claims expected by economists. While the Canadian dollar continues to move sideways, its direction could be influenced by Canadian labor data out Friday. There is also the possibility that the Canadian government could announce its decision on whether to allow the acquisition of Nexen Inc. NXY.T +0.37% by China's Cnooc Ltd. 0883.HK -0.72% as early as tomorrow. That development, when it occurs, could have a notable impact on the Canadian dollar, analysts said. "The decision is important as it will likely provide a signal to markets as to how open Canada is to state-owned takeovers of Canadian assets," said Camilla Sutton, chief currency strategist for Scotiabank. "For the Canadian dollar, it is important both in terms of flows, but also psychologically."

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