DJI-NEW YORK, July 24 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks tumbled more than 2 percent on Thursday after a report showing yet another drop in U.S. home sales prompted investors to take profits in financial shares, which had rallied over the past week.The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> fell 283.10 points, or 2.43 percent, to close at 11,349.28. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> slid 29.65 points, or 2.31 percent, to 1,252.54, while the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> shed 45.77 points, or 1.97 percent, to 2,280.11.
NYMEX-NEW YORK, July 24 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended more than $1 higher on Thursday and refined products also closed higher, helped by a technical rebound after recent heavy losses, traders and analysts said.September crude settled up $1.05, or 0.84 percent, at $125.49 a barrel, trading from $123.50, lowest since June 5, to $126.44.
CBOT-SOYBEANS - Down 9-1/4 to 13 cents, with August down 9-1/4 at $13.85 per bushel.Good crop weather in the U.S. Midwest and increased export competition from Argentina. Census pegs June U.S. soy crush 140.91 mln bu, slightly above average trade estimate for 140.25 mln.
SOYOIL - Up 0.35 to 0.45 cent, with August up 0.38 at 58.93 cents per lb.Census pegs June soyoil stocks 2.894 bln lbs, below average trade estimate for 2.904 bln.
FCPO-JAKARTA, July 24 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose 2.8 percent on Thursday on short-covering after hitting an 8-month low the previous day and as investors bet on a recovery in exports to soak up a build up in stocks.The benchmark October contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 86 ringgit or 2.84 percent at 3,113 ($957) ringgit a tonne.
REGIONAL EQUITIES-SINGAPORE, July 23 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets climbed on Wednesday as a further dip in oil prices eased inflation fears.
Singapore's benchmark index <.FTSTI> leapt 3.1 percent to its highest in four weeks, while Malaysia <.KLSE> gained 2.7 percent.The Philippine index <.PSI> added 2.2 percent, Thailand <.SETI> rose 1.7 percent while Jakarta <.JKSE> edged up 0.6 percent.
