Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Aug 4 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose in thin trade on Wednesday as retailers' earnings and a report showing a slight improvement in private employment boosted optimism ahead of Friday's payrolls report.

Priceline.com Inc soared 22 percent to $281.30 on its stronger-than-expected quarterly results and outlook, suggesting consumers are opening their wallets to spend on travel.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 44.05 points, or 0.41 percent, to 10,680.43. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 6.78 points, or 0.61 percent, to 1,127.24. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> advanced 20.05 points, or 0.88 percent, to 2,303.57.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Aug 4 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil dipped on Wednesday, breaking a string of four straight higher settlements, as a stronger dollar and weak gasoline futures weighed on crude and offset a government report of falling crude oil inventories.

The dollar rebounded from an eight-month low against the yen on Wednesday and rose against the euro as encouraging U.S. employment and service sector data prompted traders to unwind bets against the U.S. currency.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, September crude fell 8 cents, or 0.1 percent, to settle at $82.47 a barrel, trading from $81.62 to $82.97, which was the highest front-month crude price since $86.24 was struck on May 4.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Wednesday. FAO cuts global wheat output forecast to 651 million tonnes, from 676 million, sees potentially serious implications for world wheat supplies in 2011/12 if Russia drought continues.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - August down 1/2 cent at $10.53 per bushel; new-crop November up 6-1/4 at $10.24-1/4. Boosted by drought in Europe that was trimming crop production, with wheat and fund buying leading the way up. Hot and dry weather in the U.S. Delta also supportive as the soy crop begins its key August pod-setting stage of development.

CBOT-SOYOIL - August up 0.41 cent at 41.36 cents per lb. Support from gains in soybeans. The drought in Europe also was trimming production of the rapeseed crop.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Malaysia crude palm oil futures hit a four-and-a-half-month high on Wednesday as expectations of festive demand and weather concerns worldwide lifted sentiment.

The benchmark October crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivative Exchange closed up 1.09 percent or 28 ringgit at 2,590 ringgit ($820), after goingas high as 2,598 ringgit -- a level unseen since March 17.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Indonesian stocks gained on Wednesday after its central bank kept interest rate unchanged but the rest of the region was mixed as operators held back because of recent signs of weakness in the U.S. economy.

Dealers said the positive earnings outlook in Southeast Asia as domestic economies recovered should limit falls.

Singapore's share index <.FTSTI> eased 0.4 percent, extending Tuesday's fall as investors took profits after the index reached a year high of 3,043.28, also the highest in 26 months.

Singapore Telecoms fell 0.6 percent but United Overseas Bank gained 0.3 percent ahead of quarterly results next week.

Malaysia <.KLSE> slipped marginally after a five-day gain. Selling hit financials, which had led the gains, with second-largest lender CIMB down 0.8 percent.

Malaysia reported after the market close on Tuesday that its exports rose a slower-than-expected 17.2 percent in June from a year before, suggesting a weaker economic expansion in the second quarter.