Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, March 22 (Reuters) - U.S. equities rose on Monday as passage of landmark legislation to overhaul healthcare drove up pharmaceutical stocks, including those in Europe, while the euro rose against the dollar as risk appetite returned.

The euro, however, remained pressured by worries over Greece's ability to secure aid to help service its ballooning debts. Traders said the rebound would be short-lived as investors are expected to remain cautious ahead of a summit of European Union leaders on Thursday and Friday.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> climbed 43.91 points, or 0.41 percent, to 10,785.89. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 5.91 points, or 0.51 percent, to 1,165.81 and the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 20.99 points, or 0.88 percent, to 2,395.40.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, March 22 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas futures settled lower on Monday, as moderate U.S. weather forecasts, a sluggish economy and concerns about rising supplies continued to weigh on prices despite early short-covering near support.

April natural gas slid 9 cents, or 2 percent, to settle at $4.079 per million British thermal units after sinking early to a new contract low and six-month spot chart low of $4.036.

CBOT-CHICAGO, March 22 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Monday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - May up 6-3/4 cents at $9.68-1/2 per bushel. May climbed to a one-month high at $9.75 as the dollar turned weak, traders said.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May up 0.42 cent at 39.72 cents per lb. Following soybeans higher. Upturn in crude oil adds support.

FCPO-JAKARTA, March 22 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures ended down on Monday as investors took profit on expectation of milder weather and due to easing crude oil prices.

Benchmark June crude palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed down 5 ringgit or 0.19 percent at 2,572 ringgit ($775) per tonne. Overall trade volume stood at 12,691 lots of 25 tonnes each, higher than the usual 10,000 tonnes.