Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 1 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks climbed on Wednesday as factory and home sales data raised hopes the economic downturn is moderating, sparking a broad advance.

The data was enough to counter a report that showed U.S. private-sector job losses accelerated in March to 742,000, heightening concerns ahead of the government's monthly payroll numbers on Friday.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 152.68 points, or 2.01 percent, to 7,761.60. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 13.21 points, or 1.66 percent, to 811.08. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> climbed 23.01 points, or 1.51 percent, to 1,551.60.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 1 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended down more than a dollar on Wednesday, wiping out Tuesday's gains, after government data showed crude stocks rose more than forecast while gasoline supplies jumped against expectations for a drop.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude settled down $1.27, or 2.56 percent, at $48.39 a barrel, trading from $47.26 to $48.96.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - May unchanged at $9.52 a bushel; new-crop November unchanged at $8.92.

Turns mixed as grains see a double-digit decline. Soy seeing lingering support from USDA's March 31 planting intentions report that forecast U.S. 2009 soy seedings 3.6 million acres below trade expectations. Estimated corn plantings were more than trade estimated at 85 million acres, compared to average trade estimate for 84.4 million.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May down 0.12 cent at 33.50 cents per lb. Slips as crude, soybeans fall.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures settled up 3.5 percent at its highest close in more than six months on Wednesday as investors rushed to cover positions on fears of an imminent global vegetable oil supply squeeze.

The benchmark June contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 70 ringgit at 2,070 Malaysian ringgit, a level unseen since Sept. 30 last year. Other traded months rose between 31 and 75 ringgit <0#KPO:>. Overall volume more than doubled to 26,304 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared with the normal 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 1 (Reuters) - Stocks in Malaysia and Indonesia
rose more than 1 percent while Singapore eked out a slim gain on Wednesday as investors bought bank shares, with hopes for a global economic revival stirring appetite for risk in the region.

Malaysia <.KLSE> -- Southeast Asia's worst-performing market in March -- ended up 1.3 percent, with top bank Maybank surging 5.2 percent. CIMB rose 2.2 percent.

Singapore <.FTSTI> inched up 0.13 percent, losing most of its 1.6 percent rise in morning trade, with United Overseas Bank up 0.8 percent and the biggest lender, DBS Group , unchanged after rising nearly 2 percent earlier.

Citi Investment Research said it was negative on all Singapore banks due to its bearish view on Singapore's economy and it expected the benchmark stock index could head to the 1,500 level, from 1702.26 on Wednesday.