Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar jumped and global stocks soared on Friday after data showing the United States shed far fewer jobs last month than expected boosted hopes the U.S. economy is taking solid steps forward.

But the surprisingly strong report on the U.S. labor market stoked speculation the Federal Reserve may move to raise interest rates from record lows sooner than initially thought.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 22.75 points, or 0.22 percent, at 10,388.90. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 6.06 points, or 0.55 percent, at 1,105.98. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 21.21 points, or 0.98 percent, at 2,194.35.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 4 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended below $76 on Friday, in a commodities sell-off sparked by a surge in the dollar, which overshadowed data showing a decline in the U.S. unemployment rate.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude settled down 99 cents, or 1.29 percent, at $75.47 a barrel, trading from $74.85 to $77.90. From a week ago, the contract fell 58 cents, or 0.76 percent.

At the close, the discount for NYMEX January crude against February crude was $1.78, edging up from $1.75 on Thursday. It widened as much as $2.45 in the session, the steepest since Aug. 19.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 4 cents at $10.43 a bushel. Weighed down by firm dollar despite persistent strong export and domestic demand for U.S. soy. Prices turned lower as crude oil turned down.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December up 0.01 cent at 39.76 cents per lb, January up 0.01 cent at 40.13 cents. Support from some unwinding of meal/oil spreads.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose as much as 4.8 percent on Friday to hit a six-month high on forecasts that palm oil may climb above 3,000 ringgit next year.

Palm oil prices shot up in the second trading session of the day but have since pulled back on concerns of higher stocks last month and slower exports in December.

The benchmark February contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose as much as 118 ringgit to 2,596 ringgit ($768.3), a level unseen since June 5. The contract then settled at 2,562 ringgit.

Trade volumes more than doubled to 22,897 lots of 25 tonnes each due to an inflow of funds, traders said.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stocks mostly fell
on Friday, with Singapore snapping a three-day winning streak and Thai stocks sagging as energy and industrial counters PTT and Siam Cement continued to suffer from an adverse court ruling.

Singapore's benchmark stock index <.FTSTI> edged down 0.6 percent after rising 0.4 percent on Thursday, Malaysia <.KLSE> fell 0.2 percent and Thailand <.SETI> lost 0.7 percent, erasing some of its 1.9 percent rally a day earlier.

A fall in Malaysian builder Gamuda , down 2.2 percent, capped gains in Kuala Lumpur.

NYMEX Crude Weekly: Losing ground

Market continue to lose ground following the violation of the immediate support at USD75.00. Thus, market may move sideways to lower in near term. As for now, we are looking for the upside resistance at USD82.00. While, underline support will be pegged at USD72.00.

FCPO Weekly: Likely to move higher in near term

Market violated the recent high at 2521 levels convincingly and close off the high for the week had strengthen further the immediate technical landscape. Thus, market likely to continue to move higher in near term with upside resistance is now looking at 2600-2650 followed by 2800 levels. While, downside support is adjusted to 2428-2419 (left over gap on 29/11/2009).

DJI Weekly: Holding well

Immediate technical landscape remains positive following prices tested the upside resistance at 10,500 but not closing. Thus, we continue to look for the upside resistance at 10,500-10,800. To the downside, support is remains at 10,000.

FKLI Weekly: Struggling to survive at above 1250 levels

Market is struggling to survive at above 1250 physiological support levels. Thus, violation of it may provide more room to bias downside potential which is looking at 1230 followed by 1200 levels. While to the upside, resistance at 1286 followed by 1300.

Breaking News-RTRS-Malaysia palm oil price may hit 3,000 ringgit in Q1-Mistry

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil prices may rise up to 21 percent by the first quarter of 2010 from their current levels on strong demand and as hotter weather hits yields, a top industry analyst said on Friday.
Dorab Mistry, head of vegetable oils trading at Godrej International, raised his forecast for the first three months to 2,800-3,000 ringgit ($830.36-$889.67) a tonne from an earlier estimate of 2,400 ringgit.
"I expect palm oil prices to rise at the fastest pace in relation to all other vegetable oils," Mistry told the Indonesian Palm Oil Conference and Price Outlook 2010 meeting in Bali.

Breaking News-RTRS-Palm seen at 3,200 rgt/T by June on $85/bbl crude-Fry

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil prices are expected to rise to 3,200 ringgit per tonne by June if Brent crude oil stands at $85 a barrel and palm oil stocks in the world's number 2 producer fall to 1.25 million tonnes, James Fry, chairman of commodities consultancy LMC International, said on Friday.

Breaking News-RTRS-Goldman Sachs raises CBOT grain, soy forecasts

LONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs on Thursday raised its three and six-month forecasts for CBOT soybeans to $10.50 a bushel from a previous projection of $10.00.
The investment bank, issuing its 2010 Commodities price forecasts, also increased its 12-month forecast for CBOT soybeans to $11.00 a bushel from $10.00.
Goldman left unchanged its three-month forecast for CBOT corn and wheat but raised six-month forecasts to $4.50 and $5.50 a bushel respectively, up from previous projections of $4.00 and $5.00.
A further rise to $4.75 for corn and $6.00 for wheat was seen in the 12-month outlook.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Thursday after data showed the vast U.S. services sector unexpectedly shrank in November and investors worried that Friday's non-farm payrolls report may show the recovery is sluggish.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 86.53 points, or 0.83 percent, to end at 10,366.15. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> slipped 9.32 points, or 0.84 percent, to close at 1,099.92. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> fell 11.89 points, or 0.54 percent, to finish at 2,173.14.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended lower in seesaw trading on Thursday amid economic worries, after a report showed that the services sector weakened in November. Traders were cautious ahead of Friday's unemployment report
for November and as crude futures remained pressured by Wednesday's government data showing domestic crude inventories rose more than expected last week.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude settled down 14 cents, or 0.18 percent, at $76.46 a barrel, trading from $75.54 to $77.50. At the close, the discount for NYMEX January crude against February crude was $1.75, after widening on Wednesday as much as $1.93, the steepest since Aug. 19.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 13 cents per bushel at $10.47. Strong demand for U.S. soy including brisk exports giving soybean futures support but market on edge amid choppy two-sided trading in the dollar and crude oil.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December unchanged at 39.75.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures edged 0.4 percent lower on Thursday after an industry analyst said the recent rally was overdone and did not reflect rising stock levels.

The benchmark February contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled down 11 ringgit at 2,478 ringgit ($734.4) a tonne, after falling as low as 2,463 ringgit earlier in the session.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets
mostly rose on Thursday, with Singapore hitting a 16-month high and Thai stocks rallying after a slump the previous day caused by a court ruling that hurt heavyweight PTT and others.

Singapore's benchmark stock index <.FTSTI> ended up 0.42 percent at its highest since August 2008, while Malaysia's main index <.KLSE> closed up 0.09 percent, having hit a one-week high during the day.

A rise in Malaysia's second-largest lender, CIMB Group , helped limit falls in the Kuala Lumpur market. The stock rose 0.93 percent after Moody's Investors Service said it had changed the outlook on CIMB Bank's Financial Strength Rating
to positive from stable.

CBOT Soyoil Daily: remains Positive

Immediate daily technical landscape remains positive despite prices eased off after tested the high at USc41.40. As for now, we continue to look for the immediate upside resistance at USc42.23-USc42.48 (gap left over on 6/10/2009). Immediate downside support is adjusted to USc39.37-39.00.

NYMEX Crude Daily: Weaker

Market violated the physiological support at USD75.00 and tested the low at USD72.39 (low on 27/11/2009)had dampened the overall market momentum. Thus, market may move sideways to lower in near term. As for now, we are looking for the upside resistance at USD78.00-79.00. While, underline support will be pegged at USD72.39.

FCPO Daily: Consolidation is likely to continue

Consolidation is likely to continue as prices continue to cap in between 2400 to 2500 levels. Hence, Upside resistance and downside support maintain at 2521 and 2428-2419 levels respectively.

FKLI Daily: Struggling

Market is still struggling to survive above the physiological support at 1250 levels. Thus, market may continue its correction mode in near term. While to the upside, resistance is pegged at 1286.

Breaking News-RTRS-UPDATE 1-Malaysia palm futures to fall in December - Mielke

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures and soybean futures are set to fall in December as they are overvalued, but may rise again in the following six months as the world replenishes oilseed and vegetable oil stocks, leading analyst Thomas Mielke said on Thursday.
"We think in December prices will go down also on fund selling but prices will be higher in January-June under the lead of sun oil," Mielke, chief executive of German oilseed analyst Oil World, told Reuters on the sidelines the three-day Indonesian Palm Oil Conference and Price Outlook 2010 on the resort island of Bali.

Breaking News-RTRS-RPT-UPDATE 1-INTERVIEW-Mistry:Palm output growth to slow in 2010

NUSA DUA, Indonesia Dec 2 (Reuters) - Indonesia and Malaysia, the world's largest palm oil producers, may experience slower output growth next year due to the resurgent El Nino weather condition, a top industry analyst said on Wednesday.
Drier weather from El Nino may hit yields, leading to tight palm oil supplies just as U.S. and South American soyoil from a record soy harvest enter markets from May, said Dorab Mistry, head of vegetable oils trading with Godrej International.
"El Nino is still very much a factor. We should watch out for the likely change in the weather from mid-December onwards," Mistry told Reuters on the sidelines of the three-day meeting -- Indonesian Palm Oil Conference and Price Outlook 2010 -- on Indonesia's resort island of Bali.

Breaking News-RTRS-Indonesia to build three palm oil ports to end delays

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Indonesia plans to build three new ports for shipping palm oil to handle rising output in the world's top producer, a minister said on Wednesday amid trade complaints about port congestion delaying shipments.
Hatta Rajasa, coordinating minister for economic affairs, said the ports would be integrated into planned palm oil clusters in the province of North Sumatra, East Kalimantan and the country's top palm oil growing province of Riau.
Details on the planned ports should be ready within the first 100 days of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's new term in office that started in late October, Rajasa told a media briefing at the Indonesian Palm Oil Conference and Price Outlook 2010.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The Nasdaq rose on Wednesday as strong online holiday sales boosted shares of retailers, including Amazon.com , and relieved some concerns about the consumer.

The Dow edged lower as falling oil prices prompted investors to sell energy shares, while the Standard & Poor's index finished flat.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> declined 18.90 points, or 0.18 percent, to end at 10,452.68. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> inched up just 0.38 of a point, or 0.03 percent, to finish at 1,109.24. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 9.22 points, or 0.42 percent, to close at 2,185.03.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 2 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended more than 2 percent lower on Wednesday, stemming a two-day advance, as government data showed domestic crude inventories rose far more than expected last week.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude settled down $1.77, or 2.26 percent, at $76.60 a barrel, trading from $76.22 to $78.59.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 25-1/2 cents at $10.34 per bushel. Profit-taking after the rally to three-month high early on Tuesday weighing on soybean futures, with additional pressure from firm dollar, weak crude oil and commercial hedge selling.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December down 0.83 at 39.75 cents per lb, January down 0.81 at 40.11. Pressure from weak soybeans and lower crude oil.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures were steady on Wednesday as traders waited for top analysts at an Indonesian industry conference to forecast the direction of the market.

The benchmark February contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange ended down 6 ringgit at 2,489 ringgit ($737.9).

Traded volumes shot up to 13,568 lots of 25 tonnes each, from the usual 10,000 lots, as dealers were switching to the March contract, which will become the benchmark contract in less than two weeks.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets were
mostly higher on Wednesday, extending gains as concern about Dubai's debt woes eased, but Thailand fell after a court lifted the suspension of only some plants at a huge industrial estate.

Singapore's benchmark stock index <.FTSTI> rose 0.9 percent, building on Tuesday's 1.4 percent gain, while Indonesia <.JKSE> rose 0.8 pecent to its highest in a week and Malaysia <.KLSE> inched up 0.4 percent.

Gains in Singapore were buoyed by banks, with DBS Group Holdings , Southeast Asia's top lender, climbing 1.3 percent and United Overseas Bank 1.7 percent higher.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said that its counterparty credit ratings on DBS Bank Ltd. were not affected by the bank's announcement of its credit exposure to Dubai.

Malaysian shares rose for the second day, supported by top lender Maybank , up 0.3 percent, and smaller Public Bank Bhd , up 0.7 percent, after the central bank chief said Malaysian banks had limited exposure to Dubai.

Breaking News-RTRS-Palm oil is vulnerable to price fall - Oil World

HAMBURG, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Palm oil prices are vulnerable to a price fall in coming weeks but any setback would be limited by a seasonal production fall which could again reduce current large stocks, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World forecast on Tuesday.
"We see the potential for a setback in palm oil prices within the next four weeks," Oil World said. "Following the recent noticeable appreciation, we consider palm oil prices to be overvalued and vulnerable to a temporary setback."

Breaking News-RTRS-Soybean price could fall on fund sales- Oil World

HAMBURG, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Soybean prices could fall in the coming weeks despite high U.S. exports if investment funds take profits after recent price rises, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World forecast on Tuesday.
"Futures prices of soybeans are vulnerable to a setback in the near term," it said. "After the pronounced strength during the past three to four weeks, soybean prices may decline if funds liquidate some of their long positions and lock in profits."

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The Dow Jones industrial average climbed to its highest close in 14 months on Tuesday as a weak dollar boosted natural resource companies' shares and economic data reinforced hopes for a sustainable recovery.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> shot up 126.74 points, or 1.23 percent, to end at 10,471.58. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 13.23 points, or 1.21 percent, to 1,108.86. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> advanced 31.21 points, or 1.46 percent, to close at 2,175.81.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 1 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures pared gains in post-settlement trading on Tuesday after industry data showed that domestic crude stocks rose much more than expected last week.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration will issue its own data on Wednesday, at 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT).

On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT), January crude was up 55 cents, or 0.71 percent, at $77.83 a barrel. It earlier settled up $1.09, or 1.41 percent, at $78.37, trading from $77.01 to $79.04.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 1 cent at $10.59-1/2 a bushel. Pressured late by profit-taking after expected big fund buying didn't show up during early day gains to three-month high.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December up 0.39 cent at 40.58 cents per lb, January up 0.34 at 40.92. Support from strong crude oil market.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended 0.9 percent higher on Tuesday on investors taking up positions ahead of a price outlook conference this week for the vegetable oil.

The benchmark February contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 23 ringgit at 2,495 ringgit ($737.1) after spending much of the session in negative territory.

The three-day Indonesian Palm Oil Conference and Price Outlook 2010 at the resort island of Bali will start on Wednesday and feature analysts Dorab Mistry, Thomas Mielke and James Fry, who will give their views on the industry for next year.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets ended higher on Tuesday, with Thai stocks <.SETI> leading the gains, cheered by news there would be an early court ruling in a case involving the country's biggest industrial estate.

Analysts said easing concerns over Dubai's debt woes helped sentiment across the region, together with a comment from the International Monetary Fund's Asia-Pacific representative about Asian banks' limited exposure.

Singapore's stock index <.FTSTI> rose 1.42 percent, recovering from a fall to a two-week low a day earlier, while Malaysia's market <.KLSE> rose 0.6 percent, snapping a three-day losing streak, and Indonesia <.JKSE> gained 1.52 percent.