Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 30 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended a smidgen higher in very light trading on Wednesday as a stronger-than-expected report on Midwest U.S. business
activity was offset by investors taking profits in some of the year's better performers.

Still, the Dow and the Nasdaq eked out fresh highs for the year. The Standard & Poor's benchmark index is up 25 percent for 2009, putting it on track for its best year since 2003.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 30 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended higher on Wednesday after seesaw trading, lifted by a government inventory report showing crude and refined products stocks fell last week.

Cold weather in the U.S. and turmoil in OPEC-members Iran and Nigeria also were supportive, even as the stronger dollar helped limit crude futures' rise. A drop in gasoline inventories helped lift RBOB gasoline futures.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude rose 41 cents, or 0.52 percent, to settle at $79.28 a barrel, trading from $78.46 to $79.80, highest intraday price since $79.92 was struck on Nov. 23.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 1-3/4 cents at $10.36-1/4 a bushel. Market receiving support from gains on crude oil market but prospects for big South American soybean crop in 2010 weigh.

CBOT-SOYOIL - January up 0.06 cent per lb at 39.49 cents per lb. Support from gains in crude oil.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures ended up a fraction on Wednesday after gains in the crude oil market, but expectations of low exports for December and higher stocks capped the rise.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets ended mixed on Thursday in a listless holiday-trading session, with Singapore falling back from a more than one-year high and Thailand easing off from its highest in two months.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> edged down 0.14 percent after a two-day rise, weighed down by casino operator Genting Singapore and shopping mall operator CapitaMalls , which each dropped almost 1 percent.

Malaysia's index <.KLSE> was up 0.3 percent, led by a 2.1 percent surge in industrial gas provider Petronas Gas and a 3.6 percent climb in pay-TV operator Astro All Asia Networks.

FCPO Daily: Missed the 2600 levels again

Market again failed to sustain at 2600 levels in a rather dull trading day. Consolidation phase is likely to continue in near term. to the upside, resistance is looking at at 2650. While, downside support is remain lies at 2575-2570 followed by 2500-2480.