Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, July 25 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Friday as a drop in oil prices, and stronger-than-expected data on consumer sentiment and housing blunted the latest concerns about the health of U.S banks.The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 21.41 points, or 0.19 percent, to 11,370.69. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 5.22 points, or 0.42 percent, to 1,257.76, while the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> jumped 30.42 points, or 1.33 percent, to 2,310.53.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, July 25 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Friday, hitting seven-week lows as the dollar rose on upbeat economic data and as an industry consultant forecast higher OPEC oil output this month.On the New York Mercantile Exchange, September crude settled down $2.23, or 1.78 percent, at $123.26 a barrel.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - Up 5 to 15 cents per bushel, with August up 13-3/4 at $13.98-3/4 per bushel.Turns higher when wheat soars. Technical gains amid oversold signals and concerns about possible hotter U.S. weather in August when soy sets pods boosted prices.

SOYOIL - Up 0.10 to 0.25 cent per lb, with August up 0.24 at 59.17 cents per lb. Spillover support from gains in soy.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures fell on Friday as players took profit despite news of higher July 1-25 palm oil exports.The benchmark October contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed down 43 ringgit, or 1.4 percent, at 3,070 ringgit ($944.9) a tonne. An immediate support was pegged at 3,000 ringgit.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-Most Southeast Asian stock markets slipped on Friday following a negative prognosis for economic growth, but were mostly higher on week thanks to a
pullback in crude oil prices.

Indonesian <.JKSE> and Philippine shares <.PSI> outperformed the region this week to gain 4.9 and 5.2 percent respectively over last week, but Jakarta was down half a percent on Friday.
The Philippine index gave up 0.9 percent on Friday.Malaysia <.KLSE> finished flat on the day and rose 3.3 percent for the week, while Singapore <.FTSTI> fell 1.9 percent on Friday but rose 2.6 percent this week on financials and property.