Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 28 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks edged higher for a sixth straight day on Monday as data indicating improved consumer spending lifted shares of retailers, offsetting a drop in airline shares amid security worries.

Indexes hit fresh closing highs for 2009, but volume was light in what was expected to be a slow last week of trading for 2009, with investors attempting to hold on to solid profits for the year.

NYMEX- NEW YORK, Dec 28 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rose on Monday on cold weather that sent heating oil futures higher and on momentum from continued optimism about economic recovery.

Concerns about unrest in Iran and the dispute between Russia and Ukraine over transit fees for crude oil going to Europe also were supportive, sources said.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude rose 72 cents, or 0.92 percent to settle at $78.77 a barrel, trading from $77.76 to $79.12, highest intraday price since $79.92 was reached on Nov. 23.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Monday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 29-1/2 cents at $10.29 per bushel. Support from fund buying, soaring corn market and strong export demand, with additional strength from a weak dollar and firm crude oil. Weekly export inspections data viewed bullish.

CBOT-SOYOIL - January up 1.17 cents at 39.63 cents per lb. Following soybeans, with weak dollar and firm crude oil supportive.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures closed up 1.49 percent on Monday on gains in crude oil prices and expectations of weaker stocks, but a lower-than-expected export figure capped gains.

The benchmark March contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed up 38 ringgit at 2,592 ringgit ($756.23) per tonne, after going as high as 2,605 ringgit during the day.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets ended higher on Monday, with Singapore approaching a 17-month high, while Indonesia and Malaysia edged up after Christmas holidays, with energy shares leading the way.

Singapore's benchmark stock index <.FTSTI> rose 0.63 percent to its highest level since Aug. 7, 2008, led by a 6.0 percent gain in casino and resort operator Genting Singapore , while Thailand's main index <.SETI> climbed 0.45 percent.

Shares in Malaysia's SapuraCrest gained 4.8 percent after its unit, TLO, has been awarded a joint contract by 11 of Petronas Production Sharing Contractors to provide works and services for the transportation and installation of offshore oil and gas facilities.