More mergers and acquisitions:

Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ-T) announced that they have won the bidding contest to acquire the Canadian assets of Anadarko Canada in a deal worth $4.1billion (US).

The assets are mainly natural gas properties located in BC and Alberta that produce approximately 358 billion cubic feet of gas per day and 9300 barrels of oil daily. These long life reserves will increase Canadian Naturals production of natural gas by 25%.

Other assets include about 1.5 million acres of undeveloped properties located near Canadian Naturals current active production area. The close proximity will enhance the opportunity for synergies by fully utilizing the infrastructure already in place.

CNQ expects the purchase to increase cash flow by 24 cents per share for 2006 and 99 cents per share in 2007, total cash flow for 2006 is now expected to be $4.9 billion to $5.3 billion once the deal completes.

Two medium sized gold producers have agreed to merge and create one of the top ten gold producers globally. Iamgold Corp. (IMG-T) will pay $1.34 billion in an all stock transaction to acquire Cambior Inc (CBJ-T). On completion of the deal Iamgold shareholders will own 57% of the new company and Cambior shareholders will hold the balance of 43%.

The deal will see Cambior shareholders receive 0.42 of an Iamgold share for each of their Cambior share which values the Cambior shares at $4.83 a 31% premium over the previous trading price.

The combined company will have production capacity of approximately 1.1 million ounces of gold annually and reserves of 9.7 million ounces of gold.

The deal is expected to close by the end of November.

Sun Life Financial Inc. (SLF-T) is looking to divest or merge its US money management subsidiary MFS Investment Management. The US subsidiary has not been performing up to expectations and Sun Life is looking at a number of options in an effort to increase shareholder value.

MFS Investment Management has $168 billion under management and is currently valued at approximately $4 billion, but fund performance has not been up to par and Sun Life would like to see the unit merged into another money management company that would take control of the day to day operations.

Sun Life currently holds a 35% percent interest in CI Financial one of Canada’s largest mutual fund companies and also holds a 56% interest in McLean Budden one of Canada’s largest institutional money managers.

The US money management business is consolidating and this should be an excellent time for Sun Life to be in the market looking for a partner.

If a partner is found in the next while expect to see Sun Life shares advance on the news.

For more information go to www.campbellreport.com