Reuters Finance News, New Zealand

(Adds comment, stocks on the move)

WELLINGTON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Australian shares drifted 0.2 percent lower on Thursday, with toll-road operator Transurban Group (ASX: TCL.ax) stealing the show, surging as much as 20 percent after it revealed a takeover approach.

Major sectors such as banks and miners saw mixed fortunes as the market continues its broad consolidation after posting strong gains between March and October.

"A bit of a wishy-washy start to the day...," said Austock group senior client adviser Michael Heffernan.

Later, Transurban shares took off after it revealed that two Canadian pension funds had made a buy-out approach. It rejected the approach but left the door open to further talks.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO fell 10.9 points to 4,529.2 at 0025 GMT. It had gained 0.2 percent on Wednesday.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index .NZ50 was 0.3 percent weaker at 3,158.7.

Gold miners Lihir Gold LGL.AX and Newcrest Mining (ASX: NCM.ax) extended Wednesday's gains after gold [GOL/] hit another record high, rising above $1,095 an ounce as the U.S. dollar fell.

Both stocks were up close to 2 percent by 2330 GMT, with Lihir at A$3.37 and Newcrest at A$35.03. Global heavyweights BHP Billion (ASX: BHP.ax) fell 0.3 percent to A$36.83 while Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO.ax) was flat at A$63.43.

Banks were generally firmer with the exception of ANZ (ASX: ANZ.ax) , which fell 2.2 percent after going ex-dividend.

STOCKS ON THE MOVE

* Toll-road operator Transurban (ASX: TCL.ax) shares were up 19 percent at A$5.22 after news of the buy-out approach. [ID:nSYU008998]

0025 GMT

* Shares in department store Myer Holdings MYR.AX rose as much as 2.3 percent to A$3.90 after it said first quarter sales grew 5.2 percent and it was on track to meet its full-year forecast. [ID:nSYU008997]

2340 GMT

* Fellow department store David Jones saw its stock fall 2.6 percent to A$5.29 in after it said first quarter sales rose 2.2 percent but it was too early to provide updated guidance. [ID:nSYU008996]

2320 GMT

* Shares in mining contractor Leighton Holdings (ASX: LEI.ax) gained 2 percent in early trade to A$34.65 after it reported a 10 percent jump in first quarter revenue and maintained its full year profit forecast. [ID:nSYU008995]

2315 GMT (Reporting by Adrian Bathgate; Editing by Mark Bendeich)