Breaking News-RTRS-ANALYSIS-French firms pull the plug on palm oil

PARIS, April 1 (Reuters) - French firms have stepped up restrictions on the use of palm oil, decried for being linked to deforestation in Asia, in a move that may boost demand for local oils but some warned it could raise new food and land problems.
The debate about palm oil's impact on the environment has intensified after green groups published reports last month blaming the way key producers were sourcing their oil by destroying rainforests and threatening endangered species.
In France it was amplified by a television broadcast that condemned food makers' use of cheap palm oil to cut costs and referring to health concern that its high level of saturated fat could raise cholesterol and heart diseases.

Trader's Highlight

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Reuters) - Malaysia palm oil futures rose on Friday, playing catch up with gains in crude oil and soyoil in the previous session.

U.S. crude oil and soyoil markets are closed on Friday for the long Easter weekend, along with other regional markets, which has kept palm oil's trading volumes light.

The benchmark June crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange edged up 0.6 percent, or 16 ringgit, to settle at 2,559 ringgit ($788.4). Traded volume was 7,134 lots of 25 tonnes each, from the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 2 (Reuters) - Thai stocks ended flat on Friday, sticking around 22-month highs as optimism grew over the economic recovery, while Malaysia hit a 25-month high.

The region had a listless session as many Asian bourses were closed on Good Friday, including Indonesia, Asia's best performer this year, Singapore and the Philippines, which reopen on Monday.

Malaysia <.KLSE> added 0.46 percent to its highest since March 4, 2008, led by a 1.4 percent rise in financial CIMB Group and a 0.85 percent gain in Public Bank .

Malaysia Airports climbed 3.1 percent to 4.95 ringgit. Broker OSK rated it a 'trading buy' with a target price of 5.5 ringgit, citing its business and revenue outlook.

FKLI Weekly: Uptrend remains intact

Bulls marched higher after violated the recent high at 1337.5. Uptrend remains intact and looks likely to challenge the left over gap at 1345-1348 followed by 1385-1395. To the downside, support is pegged at 1300-1285.

CBOT Soyoil Weekly: Sideways

Consolidation phase looks likely to extend in near term as prices not showing much improvement. Thus, we continue to look for the upside resistance at Usc41.05-41.95. While, downside support is pegged at USc36.26.

NYMEX Crude Weekly: More room to bias upside potential

Market has come to the end of its consolidation phase following prices violated the recent high at USD83.95. Thus, more room to bias upside potential with upside is projected at USD88.00-93.00. Immediate downside support is looking at USD80.00-78.00.

FCPO Weekly: Searching for dorection

Nothing much changes on the immediate technical landscape as prices move in a tight rangy mode. Thus, market looks may continue to consolidate and trade in the range of 2722-2726 to 2400-2393 levels.