Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Feb 1 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Monday as better-than-expected data on the manufacturing sector and earnings from Exxon Mobil revived bullish sentiment after stocks closed out their worst month in almost a year.

Exxon's stock gained 2.7 percent to end at $66.18 after the largest U.S. oil company reported natural gas products boosted results at its exploration arm.The S&P energy
sector index <.GSPE> rose 3 percent.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Feb 1 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended higher on Monday, lifted by the dollar's weakness versus the euro, data showing a stronger U.S. manufacturing sector and a report of consumer spending edging up in January.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, March crude rose $1.54, or 2.11 percent, to settle at $74.43 a barrel. Monday's low was $72.49 and the high trade struck in
post-settlement trading was $74.99.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Monday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 4-1/4 cents at $9.09-3/4 per bushel. Came off session highs and turned lower as an early short-covering bounce was met with a lack of follow-through buying; declines in soymeal add weight. Expectations of bumper South American soy harvest hang over the complex, along with rumors of China switching U.S. soy orders to South American origin.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March up 0.04 cent at 36.19 cents per lb. Stronger crude oil market giving soyoil a lift.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures dropped 0.4 percent on Friday ahead of the long weekend as market participants scaled back their expectations for January exports due out next week, traders said.

A big rise is key to easing inventories in the world's number 2 palm grower from a 13-month top in December, which together with ample global vegetable oil supplies pressured palm prices in recent weeks.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Thai stocks eked out small gains
on Monday, recouping earlier losses caused by a rise in inflation and expectations of interest rate increases, but most other Southeast Asian markets extended losing streaks.

Singapore <.FTSTI> was down 0.3 percent, after a 0.45 percent loss on Friday, with gaming group Genting Singapore off 0.9 percent and Wilmar International down 1.2 percent.

Malaysia <.KLSE>, Southeast Asia's worst performer last week, was closed on Monday for a market holiday.