Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, March 25 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose in a late rally on Wednesday as unexpectedly strong housing and durable goods data fueled hopes the economy is finally on the mend, offsetting concerns the United States may struggle to fund
plans to pull the economy out of recession.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 89.84 points, or 1.17 percent, to 7,749.81. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 7.76 points, or 0.96 percent, to 813.88. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 12.43 points, or 0.82 percent, to 1,528.95.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, March 25 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended more than 2 percent lower on Wednesday, weighed down by data showing domestic crude stocks rose to their highest level in more than 15 years.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude settled at $52.77 a barrel, down $1.21, or 2.24 percent, after trading from $51.86 to $54.18.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - May down 16 cents at $9.51 per bushel.

Profit-taking after rally early this week that was led by a farmers strike in Argentina. Lower crude oil also weighing on market.

U.S. Census Bureau to issue its February crush data on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May up 0.10 cent at 33.37 cents per lb. Lower crude oil and soy weigh on soyoil in addition to profit-taking pressure.

FCPO-JAKARTA, March 25 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures closed lower on Wednesday for the second consecutive day on further profit taking, although news of better-than-expected exports capped losses, traders said.

The benchmark June contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange dropped 8 ringgit, or 0.4 percent, to 1,972 ringgit ($543) per tonne.

Other traded months were mixed <0#KPO:>. Overall volume was 11,164 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, March 25 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stocks were mixed on Wednesday as doubts about the U.S. government's plan to rid banks of toxic debt emerged, dragging Singapore's stock market down from a 6-week high.

The Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> ended down 0.86 percent after a 2.5 percent gain on Tuesday.Malaysia's index <.KLSE>, the region's third best performer this year after Jakarta and Manila, ended with a 0.1 percent
rise.

Elsewhere in the region, Manila's stock index <.PSI> climbed 1.14 percent, and Vietnam <.VNI> edged up 2.6 percent, adding to Tuesday's 4 percent rise.