TORONTO, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index may
open lower as softer prices for key commodities oil and gold
may put pressure on the resource-heavy index.

But company results could also influence, particularly as
three of the country's big insurers -- Manulife (MFC.TO: Quote, Profile, Research), Sun
Life (SLF.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) and Great-West Lifco (GWO.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) -- publish
third-quarter results.

While complex provisions and one-time items are expected in
the quarterly earnings of the life insurers, the bottom line is
that they will stay profitable and their dividends appear
safe.

The S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE hit a one-week high
on Wednesday, spurred by strength in energy prices and a record
bullion price. It finished up 45.30 points, or 0.41 percent, at
11,071.20.

Here is some of the news that may affect the market.

SUNLIFE

Sun Life Financial Inc reported a net loss, due mostly to a
change to the assumptions it uses to value its books, but cited
underlying strength as it maintained its dividend payout.
[ID:nN04548767]

CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES

Third-quarter profit at Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ.TO: Quote, Profile, Research)
Ltd fell 77 percent as oil and gas prices plunged, Canada's No.
2 independent oil explorer said. [ID:nBNG522815]

AGRIUM

Canada's Agrium Inc (AGU.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) again sweetened its hostile
bid for U.S. rival CF Industries (CF.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the latest twist in a
three-way takeover battle in the fertilizer sector.
[ID:nN0599370]

BIOVAIL

Biovail Corp (BVF.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) reported a lower third-quarter profit
despite growing revenue, as restructuring charges hurt Canada's
biggest publicly traded pharmaceutical company. [ID:nN0599081]

COMPANY RESULTS IN BRIEF

* Manitoba Telecom (MBT.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) Q3 results [ID:nWNAB0761]

* Quebecor Inc (QBRa.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) Q3 results [ID:nWNAB0758]

* Canaccord Capital (CCI.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) posts Q2 profit
[ID:nBNG195674]

* Imax (IMX.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) reports Q3 results [ID:nWNAB0868]

COMMODITY PRICES: OIL, GOLD SLIP

A firmer U.S. dollar pushed oil below $80 a barrel and gold
prices retreated from the record highs they hit in the previous
session. [O/R] [GOL/]

RESEARCH IN MOTION

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd (RIM.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) (RIMM.O: Quote, Profile, Research)
said its board authorized a share buyback of up to $1.2
billion. [ID:nBNG285489]

RESEARCH ROUNDUP

The following is a selection of research actions on
Canadian companies reported by Reuters on Thursday.
For more, please double click [RCH/CA]:

* Credit Suisse cuts Industrial Alliance to "neutral" from
"outperform", while Genuity raises to "buy" from "hold"

* Blackmont, Genuity raise price target for Iamgold

($1=$1.06 Canadian)
(Reporting by Ka Yan Ng; Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)