UPDATE 2-NORDIC STOCKS - Factors to watch on Nov 5

(Adds Carlsberg)

HELSINKI, Nov 5 (Reuters) - The following stocks may be affected by newspaper reports and other factors on Thursday:

CARLSBERG (CARLb.CO)

The Danish brewer's lower-than-expected interest-bearing debt at the end of the third quarter paves the way for a "bigger" acquisition in Asia, the daily Jyllands-Posten said. Chief Executive Jorgen Buhl Rasmussen said that the fast reduction in debt "will make it possible for us to buy something in China if the right opportunity comes up".

For more on the company, double click on [CARLb.CO]

SAS (SAS.ST) The Scandinavian airline posted a surprise pretax profit for the third quarter and said it expected to unveil the results of its latest round of talks with unions on new cost savings later on Thursday.

For more on the company, double click on [SAS.ST]

NORSKE SKOG NGS.OL

The Norwegian paper producer said it saw few signs of an upturn in the market after it posted a smaller-than-expected drop in third-quarter profit.

For more on the company, double click on [NGS.OL]

STATOILHYDRO (STL.OL), CNOOC Ltd (0883.HK)

Oil group CNOOC Ltd said it agreed to buy a minority stake in four prospects in the Gulf of Mexico from Norway's Statoil, opening crude oil reserves in the U.S. Gulf to China for the first time. CNOOC will have a 10 percent to 20 percent interest in the four exploration areas, CNOOC spokesman Xiao Zongwei told Reuters.

For more on the companies, double click on [STL.OL], CNOOC Ltd [0883HK]