Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Aug 3 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Monday, pushing the S&P 500 index above 1,000 for the first time in nine months, as data on the manufacturing sector underscored optimism that the economy was recovering.

The Nasdaq closed above 2,000 for the first time since early October in an extension of the stock market's recent rally, which has been fueled by stronger-than-expected
earnings and data suggesting the recession may be abating. On Friday, the S&P 500 wrapped up its best five-month streak since 1938.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> shot up 114.95 points, or 1.25 percent, to 9,286.56. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> climbed 15.15 points, or 1.53 percent, to 1,002.63. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> advanced 30.11 points, or 1.52 percent, to 2,008.61. The S&P 500 is now up 48 percent since hitting a 12-year
closing low on March 9.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Aug 3 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended more than 3 percent higher on Monday on growing economic recovery optimism after Wall Street rose on data showing the manufacturing sector in the United States shrank at a slower pace in July.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, September crude settled up $2.13, or 3.07 percent, at $71.58 a barrel, the highest settlement for front-month crude since June 12's $72.04.

It traded from $69.09 to $72.20, the highest since the June 30 high of $73.38, which was a 2009 peak and the highest intraday front-month price since crude hit $75.69 on Oct. 21.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - August up 39-1/2 cents at $11.73-1/2. November up 48-1/2 at $10.30-1/2. Shrinking stocks of soy, falling dollar, gains in equities and crude oil combine to lift soybean futures.

CBOT-SOYOIL - August up 2.48 cents per lb at 37.54. Spillover support from soaring soybeans, gains in crude oil as the dollar falls.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures jumped as much as 4.9 percent on Monday to five-week highs as tight global vegetable oil stocks and strengthening Asian festival demand drew in investors.

Renewed interest in palm oil was helped by surging global soyoil markets. China's hunger for U.S. soybeans, which put U.S. stocks at a projected 32-year low of 110 million bushels by end-August, brought in speculative funds, traders said.

The benchmark October contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives Exchange hit a session high of 2,296 ringgit, a level unseen since June 26, and then settled at 2,295 ringgit ($653.8).

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Thai shares rose to an 11-month
high on Monday and most other Southeast Asian stock markets moved higher as the improving economic outlook bolstered buying interest in sectors such as cement and property.

Singapore's index <.FTSTI> ended up 0.8 percent, led by a 6.6 percent rise in container-shipping firm Neptune Orient Lines and a 3.8 percent rise in palm plantation firm Wilmar International .

Bucking the trend, Malaysia's index <.KLSE> lost 0.3 percent, with Bumiputra Commerce falling 1.3 percent and Sime Darby sliding 0.2 percent.