Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose for a second day on Wednesday as investors flocked to shares of Coke and other companies that hold up well in recessions following another round of disappointing economic data and corporate
outlooks.

Before the opening bell, ADP Employer Services said U.S. private-sector employers cut a larger-than-expected 250,000 jobs in November, the most in seven years, two days before the release of the government's unemployment figures.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> jumped 172.60 points, or 2.05 percent, to end at 8,591.69. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 21.93 points, or 2.58 percent, to 870.74. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> shot up 42.58 points, or 2.94 percent, to 1,492.38.

Shortly before the closing bell, the Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S Treasury Department is considering a plan to stem the fall of home prices by lowering mortgage rates through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , which helped fuel the late rally


NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures settled lower for the fourth day in a row on Wednesday as demand worries overshadowed data showing that crude and refined product stocks fell unexpectedly last week. Prices fell despite fresh signals from OPEC that the group will move to cut production again at its Dec. 17 meeting.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude settled down 17 cents, or 0.36 percent, at $46.79 a barrel, the lowest since the Feb. 9, 2005 setttlement at $45.46. It traded from $46.26, the lowest since $46.20 was hit on May 20, 2005,
to $48.10.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 3 cents at $8.30 per bushel. Firm cash, slow farmer selling and commercial bull-spreading supporting gains in spot month. Crop-friendly
weather in South America, especially in Argentina, continue to hang over the market.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December down 0.14 cent at 30.28 cents per lb, January down 0.19 at 30.58. Choppy two-sided day with firm soy countered by late
weakness in crude oil.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm futures ended lower by over 4 percent on Wednesday in quiet trade with buyers largely sidelined.

The benchmark February palm oil contract on the Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives Exchange was down 4.18 percent, or 67 ringgit, at 1,536 ringgit per tonne. It reached a high of 1,590 and a low of 1,527 ringgit in the session.

Other traded months ranged from 51 to 72 ringgit lower <0#KPO:>. Overall trade stood at 6,243 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets
rallied on Wednesday, reversing early losses, as anti-government protesters lifted their crippling blockade of Thailand's main airport and Wall Street gains spurred regional investors to look for bargains.

Thailand's benchmark index <.SETI> gained 1.45 percent, ending two days of falls, with Philippine shares <.PSI> up 1.35 percent and Malaysia <.KLSE> rising 0.2 percent.

Indonesian stocks <.JKSE> also snapped a two-day losing streak, climbing 0.1 percent, while Singaporean shares <.FTSTI> ended 0.08 percent higher. Vietnam <.VNI>, however, bucked the trend, falling 0.4 percent.