Toronto stocks eye new record as commodities remain hot

*TSX seen logging new record high

*Hot commodities set to boost resource shares

*Crude oil jumps to record

TORONTO, May 16 (Reuters) - The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index was set to punch higher into record territory on Friday as the prices of key commodities soared, beckoning more speculators into Canadian resource sectors.

Much like the previous session, TSX energy and material stocks -- which account for nearly half the TSX -- are expected to yank the index higher despite disappointing results from individual firms Rothmans (ROC.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) and Quebecor World (IQW.TO: Quote, Profile, Research).

In early trade, world stocks jumped to a fresh four-month peak on the back of energy and technology shares, and U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open. But the resource-heavy Toronto index has lead virtually all other markets so far this year.

"This is apparently the safest haven in the world at the moment," said Douglas Davis, president at Davis-Rea.

The TSX is up 7.2 percent in 2008, and up 6.4 percent in May alone. The energy and materials sectors, which have led the charge, were set to rise again on Friday.

U.S. crude oil futures surged to a new peak at $127.43 a barrel. Natural gas futures were also higher, boding well for the TSX energy sector.