CANADA STOCKS-TSX may open lower; eyes on RIM, commodity prices

June 17 (Reuters) - Toronto's resource heavy stock index looked set to open lower as commodity prices ease, while a dismal earnings report from Research in Motion (RIM.TO) and a weak forecast from the BlackBerry maker might further weigh on market sentiment.

FACTORS TO WATCH

* Canadian equity futures <0#SXF:> pointed to a lower open.

* U.S. stock index futures rose after French President Nicolas Sarkozy hinted at a deal to resolve the Greek debt crisis. [.N]

* European shares turned positive after the Sarkozy comments. [.EU]

* Markets in Asia were largely lower, with Nikkei stock average hitting a three-month low on global economic concern.

COMMODITY PRICE MOVES

* The Thomson Reuters-Jefferies CRB index .CRB, a global commodities benchmark, fell 0.09 percent in early trade.

* Brent crude futures fell below $113 a barrel as the Greek debt crisis raised risk aversion, putting oil on course for a 5 percent drop this week, biggest fall since early May. [O/R]

* Gold edged lower as a firmer dollar held the precious metal back, but jitters about Greece could spur safe haven buying. [GOL/]

* Copper steadied. Concerns over slower growth, which could weaken metals demand, weighed on the market while a softer dollar lent support to prices. [MET/L]

CANADIAN STOCKS TO WATCH

* Research In Motion (RIM.TO): The BlackBerry makers' quarterly profit dropped and revenue missed its own limp forecast, forcing the company to slash its outlook. [ID:nN16217792]

* Bridgewater Systems BWC.TO: Amdocs Ltd (DOX.N) is going to buy Bridgewater in a deal valued at about C$211 million. [ID:nL3E7HH1GF]

* Brookfield Office Properties (BPO.TO): The company on Thursday unveiled a $250 million plan to expand the retail portion of its World Financial Center, located across from Manhattan's World Trade Center. [ID:nN16247118]

* Mosaid Technologies MSD.TO: The patent licensing firm's fourth-quarter results topped market estimates, helped by strength in its wireless patents segment, but it forecast a softer first-quarter profit. [ID:nL3E7HG31R]

* New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI_u.TO): The bus maker signed a C$114 million three-year deal with Metrolinx to produce heavy-duty buses. [ID:nL3E7HG36Y]

* Air Transat (TRZb.TO): About 1,500 flight attendants of the company have given their union a strike mandate, voting against the latest offer from their employer, the Canadian Union of Public Employees said on Thursday. [ID:nL3E7HH02G]

* Canadian Tire (CTC.TO): The retail giant said it has extended its offer period to acquire Forzani Group's FGL.TO outstanding shares by over a month, as it clears the ground to get regulatory approvals. [ID:nL3E7HG3CE]

ANALYST RECOMMENDATIONS

Following is a summary of research actions on Canadian companies reported by Reuters. [RCH/CA]

* Research In Motion (RIMM.O) price target cut to $65 from $75; rating sector outperformer at CIBC; price target cut to $25 from $40; rating underperform at National Bank; price target cut to $41 from $45; rating neutral at UBS

* Eacom Timber (ETR.V) price target cut to C$0.85 from C$0.95; rating buy at Canaccord Genuity

* First Quantum Minerals (FM.TO) rating raised to buy from hold at SocGen

* Northland Power Inc (NPI.TO) price target cut to C$17 from C$19; rating sector outperformer at CIBC ($1= $0.98 Canadian) (Reporting by Anil Kumar; editing by Janet Guttsman)