CANADA STOCKS-TSX may open lower on weak commodities

TORONTO, May 25 (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock market index could open lower on Monday as falling oil and gold prices put resource shares under pressure.

But the activity could be light with the U.S. markets, to which investors traditionally look for direction, closed for a holiday.

Toronto's main stock index closed higher on Friday as energy and materials issues got a lift from firmness in commodity prices. The S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE was up 43.83 points, or 0.4 percent, at 9,993.42. On the week, it was up 2.4 percent.

Here are some of the stories that may affect the market:

OIL FALLS TOWARD $61; OPEC CUT UNLIKELY

Oil prices fell toward $61 a barrel on Monday, giving away some of last week's gains, ahead of OPEC's meeting in Vienna, where the group was widely expected to agree not to cut oil output further. [nSYD459549]

GOLD SOFTENS SLIGHTLY, ETF HOLDINGS INCH UP

Gold prices softened on Monday but remained within sight of a two-month high above $960 an ounce touched in the previous session, retaining their sheen in the face of a weaker dollar. [nSP121279]

AIR CANADA, CREDIT CARD FIRM AMEND TERMS

Air Canada (ACa.TO), the country's largest carrier, said on Monday it reached an agreement with one of its principal credit card processors that reduces the level of unrestricted cash to be maintained and accumulates additional security over time. [nN25392744]

GERMAN LEADERS EXPECT OPEL DECISION BY MID-WEEK

The German government will likely settle on a preferred bidder for Opel, the German unit of General Motors GM.N, by the middle of the week, Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said on Monday. [nLP6868]

BALLARD POWER PLANS TO END JV WITH JAPAN'S EBARA

Canadian fuel-cell maker Ballard Power Systems Inc (BLD.TO) (BLDP.O) plans to dissolve its joint venture with Ebara Corp (6361.T) that was focused on systems development for the Japanese residential cogeneration market. [nBNG468809]

RESEARCH ROUND-UP

Following is a summary of research actions on Canadian companies reported by Reuters on Monday. For more, see [RCH/CA]