Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Feb 2 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rallied for a second day on Tuesday as better-than-expected earnings and encouraging data calmed investors after the market's recent sell-off.

Rising sales of previously owned U.S. homes and robust earnings from bellwethers representing consumer and industrial businesses, including Whirlpool Corp and Cummins Inc , pointed to a steady rebound in demand.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Feb 2 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures surged to end settle 3.76 percent higher on Tuesday, fueled by encouraging economic data, the weak dollar and technical strength that sparked traders to cover short positions.

Refined products futures were strong as a refinery fire in Canada shut a gasoline-making unit, adding to the lift already provided by the approaching refinery maintenance season.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, March crude rose $2.80, or 3.76 percent, to settle at $77.23 a barrel, trading from $74.40 to $77.41, highest since $78.36 was struck on Jan. 21.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March up 15-3/4 cents at $9.25-1/2 per bushel. Short-covering bounce off four-month lows. Higher crude oil and equities markets coupled with weaker dollar add support. Rally limited by outlooks for big soy production in South America.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March up 1.28 cents at 37.47 cents per lb. Support from higher crude oil and firm soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures rebounded from morning losses to end 0.29 percent higher on Tuesday but trading was quiet as market participants factored in strong export data for January, released the day before.

The benchmark April contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose 7 ringgit to close at 2,452 ringgit ($718.4), reversing an earlier 0.29 percent slide at midday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Singapore stocks fell for a third
session on Tuesday and most other Southeast Asian stock markets ended lower, failing to hold on to early optimism after strong U.S. manufacturing data.

Singapore's index <.FTSTI> finished 0.56 percent lower, with Singapore Airlines losing more than 1 percent. After the close it reported a 19.7 percent rise in quarterly profit after a recovery in cargo volume and passenger demand, although that was smaller than expected .

Malaysia <.KLSE> gained 0.37 percent on resuming trade after a holiday on Monday, with buying interest in financials. CIMB Group and Public Bank each rose 0.8 percent. AMMB Holdings gained 1 percent. The rebound in Malaysia, Southeast Asia's second-best performer after Indonesia, was expected, with a strong earnings season in prospect, broker OSK said in a research note.