Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, July 31 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Thursday, led by Exxon Mobil after its earnings fell short of Wall Street's expectations and as disappointing economic data revived fears of a U.S. recession.

Government reports showing weaker-than-expected second-quarter growth and a rise in the number of Americans applying for jobless benefits soured market sentiment and left investors uneasy about the July payrolls report due on Friday.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> tumbled 205.67 points, or 1.78 percent, to 11,378.02. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dropped 16.88 points, or 1.31 percent, to 1,267.38. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> slipped 4.17 points, or 0.18 percent, to 2,325.55.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, July 31 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Thursday, giving back more than half of their fat gains on Wednesday, as weak jobs and economic growth data spurred more worries about demand prospects for oil.September crude settled down $2.69, or 2.12 percent, at $124.08 a barrel, trading from $122.71 to $127.89.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - August up 1-3/4 cents at $13.95-3/4 per bushel, new-crop November down 1 cent at at $14.04.

Ends mixed after early gains led by November 2009 as worries about 2009 acreage supports back months due to USDA decision this week not to release acres from Conservation Reserve Program without penalty. Overhanging market is good crop weather in the U.S. Midwest as the soy crop goes through its key pod-setting stage of development.

SOYOIL - August unchanged at 58.26 cents per lb.Pressure from weakness in crude oil.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures climbed 1.9 percent on Thursday as strong export data from cargo surveyors lifted market spirits amid strengthening crude oil prices.The benchmark October contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 58 ringgit to 3,050 ringgit ($937).

REGIONAL EQUITIES-July 31 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Thursday, helped by gains on Wall Street, with a jump in oil prices boosting firms such as Singapore's Wilmar and Thailand's PTT.

Singapore <.FTSTI> rose 0.14 percent while Malaysia <.KLSE> edged 0.27 percent higher. Thailand <.SETI> gained 0.96 percent,Indonesia <.JKSE> rose 1.13 percent and Vietnam <.VNI> climbed 0.69 percent.