Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks suffered their worst one-day percentage drop since October on Thursday as U.S. President Barack Obama proposed tough restrictions on banks that would squeeze profits.

Major banks slid, with Goldman Sachs falling 4.1 percent despite posting stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results, and JPMorgan Chase & Co shed 6.6 percent, after Obama proposed limiting how banks invest their own money.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil and refined product futures slumped to four-week lows on Thursday in a sell-off triggered by government data showing an unexpected large build in gasoline stocks last week.

A slide in U.S. equities after President Barack Obama aired a proposal to limit banks' risk-taking also pressured the energy markets.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, new front-month March crude settled down $1.66, or 2.14 percent, at $76.08 a barrel, down a second day. It traded from $75.66, the lowest since Dec. 23's intraday low of $74.25, and $78.36.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March up 4 cents at $9.54 per bushel. Rebound off this week's three-month lows. Firm cash soymeal market and fresh sales to China add support. Some support from talk of hotter/drier weather in parts of Argentina, but overall excellent soy growing weather continues in South America

CBOT-SOYOIL - March up 0.43 cent at 37.00 cents per lb. Recovering from oversold signals after past week's price slide.

FCPO=KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures rebounded from their weakest in two months on Thursday as traders took up positions after rival vegetable oil markets rose.

Traders said palm oil as well as U.S. and China soyoil markets gained after falling on concern that key commodities importer China could tighten credit after a slew of positive economic data.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Singapore's stock index fell more
than 1 percent on Thursday, while Indonesia snapped a five-day winning streak to hit a one-week low. Investors worried that China would take more measures to cool its economy after reporting its fastest quarterly growth in two
years.

Singapore's Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> ended down 1.5 percent at its lowest since Dec. 28, with CapitaLand losing 4.3 percent to its lowest since Dec. 31.
Malaysia's index <.KLSE> hovered around 22-month highs, edging up 0.13 percent, led by Malayan Banking and Axiata Group , which gained more than 1 percent.

Malaysia's stock market valuations look stretched but builders and exporters may shine, helped by the recovery in the economy at home and abroad, said Malaysian fund manager Public Mutual.

NYMEX Crude Daily: Sideways to lower

Bears continue to strike as prices failed to hold ground. Thus, market may continue to move lower in near term. Hence, upside resistance is now looking at USD79.00 to 80.00. Downside support is adjusted to USD75.00.

FCPO Daily: Enter into consolidation phase

Market survived at above 2400 levels after covered the downside gap at 2428-2419. It then rebounded to close off the day high with printed a long white candle. Thus, market may enter into consolidation phase since 2400 levels provided pretty good support. To the downside, immediate support is lies 2400 followed by 2370-2360. While, upside resistance is pegged at 2500-2525 followed by 2540-2550.