Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks and oil prices fell on Monday after Japan became the latest major economy to slide into recession and Citigroup said it would cut 15 percent of its work force, the latest signs of a worldwide slowdown.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> closed down 223.73 points, or 2.63 percent, at 8,273.58. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> shed 22.54 points, or 2.58 percent, at 850.75. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> fell 34.80 points, or 2.29 percent, at 1,482.05.

Citigroup , the U.S. bank with the largest worldwide reach, reminded investors of the financial industry's woes with news it would cut 52,000 jobs, on a day the battered auto industry took center stage.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 17 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended more than $2 lower in volatile trading on Monday on bleak economic news in the United States and abroad and amid volatile trading before options on December crude expired at the close.

The hijacking of a Saudi oil tanker and a slumping dollar earlier supported a surge to near $59.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, December crude settled at $54.95 a barrel, down $2.09, or 3.66 percent, trading from $54.72 to $58.98.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 10-1/2 cents at $9.06-1/2.

Concerns about dryness in crop production areas in Argentina and smaller-than-expected private forecast for U.S. 2009 soy acreage supportive. Retreating crude oil, disappointment with a weekend meeting of G20 leaders and falling stock market limiting gains.

Analytical firm Informa Economics estimated 2009 U.S. soy acres at 77.2 million, compared to 75.9 million planted in 2008 but below trade estimates -traders.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December down 0.28 cent at 32.32 cents per lb. Losing ground to meal amid meal/oil spreading.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures closed down 1.7 percent on Monday as crude oil dropped to near its lowest in almost two years, raising concerns over the viability of biodiesel demand amid a deepening global recession.

The benchmark February contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled down 25 ringgit ($6.96) to 1,435 ringgit per tonne.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets drifted lower on Monday as fears of a global economic recession and a gloomy export outlook pushed financials and blue chips lower.

Market sentiment weakened after data showing a recession in Japan and Hong Kong, while fund outflows from the region looked set to continue, analysts said.

In Kuala Lumpur, the main index edged up 0.27 percent. Thai shares bucked the market trend, with the main Thai index <.SETI> up nearly 1 percent as local buying pushed shares in big cap energy stocks up.

Indonesia's main stock index <.JKSE> dropped 2.17 percent to its lowest since Oct. 31, despite marginally better-than-expected third quarter GDP data.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> ended down 0.54 percent, with financial firm DBS Group sliding 2.3 percent and Singapore Exchange 2.35 percent lower.