Breaking News- RTRS-Indonesia sees higher 2010 CPO, rubber, cocoa output

JAKARTA, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Indonesia expects production of its plantation crops, including palm oil, rubber and cocoa, to be higher next year due to bigger areas under cultivation and as some crops enter peak production, a senior agriculture ministry official said on Monday.

Breaking News- RTRS-ANALYSIS-Brazil kicks off soy harvest amid currency woes

SAO PAULO, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Brazilian farmers have made an early start to gathering an expected bumper 2009/10 soybean crop whose development has been helped by above-average rains, but a strong local currency will limit their profits.
Brokers say the first cargoes of soy began to arrive in the last week in silos around the north of the country's No. 1 soy producing state, Mato Grosso.

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.

FKLI Daily: Sideways to bias upside potential

Market rebounded to end at day high after the recent sideways move. Physiological support at 1250 levels has been defended well and market may move sideways bias to upside potential provided it manage to breakout from the immediate upside resistance at 1275.5 levels. The next upside resistance is pegged at 1286 levels.

FCPO Daily: Gaining ground

Market covered the upside gap left over at 2585-2598 has helped to gain ground further. However, immediate technical outlook remains mix and may consolidate further in near term. We continue to look for the immediate upside resistance at 2628 followed by 2650. To the downside, support is lies at 2500-2480.