Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks finished little changed on Wednesday as disappointing outlooks from healthcare companies offset strong earnings from Morgan Stanley and Apple Inc .

Healthcare stocks took a beating after both Abbott Laboratories and Gilead Sciences Inc cut profit forecasts. Both Abbott and Gilead cited the impact of costs from U.S. healthcare reform in their outlooks.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> edged up 7.86 points, or 0.07 percent, at 11,124.92. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dipped 1.23 points, or 0.10 percent, to 1,205.94. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> inched up 4.30 points, or 0.17 percent, to 2,504.61.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended a choppy session slightly lower on Wednesday after government oil inventory data showed crude stockpiles rose last week, against a forecast for a slight drop.

While the front-month June crude contract ended lower, nearby months and Brent crude traded in London managed gains.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, June crude fell 17 cents, or 0.2 percent, to settle at $83.68 a barrel, after trading from $82.92 to $84.64.

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

CBOT-SOYBEANS - May up 11-1/2 cents at $9.95-1/2 per bushel; new-crop November up 13-3/4 at $9.77. Persistent buying of U.S. soy by China lending support, in addition to some support from slow farmer selling and firm cash basis markets.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May down 0.17 cent at 38.90 cents per lb. Weak crude oil market pressures prices.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Reuters) - Malaysia palm oil futures dropped 1.1 percent on Wednesday as the stronger ringgit currency prompted some investors to unwind positions despite firmer agriculture markets.

A higher ringgit against the U.S. dollar has prevented the palm oil market from breaking the 2,500 ringgit level this week. The Malaysian currency , the best Asian performer this year, rose 0.3 percent.

A stronger ringgit makes palm oil more expensive for refiners as the crude palm oil feedstock is priced in that currency, chewing into their margins.

The benchmark July crude palm oil futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange ended 27 ringgit lower at 2,471 ringgit ($771.7) per tonne. On Monday the contract fell to 2,455 ringgit, a level unseen since Feb. 2. Overall traded volume stood at 11,659 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 21 (Reuters) - Thai stocks fell 1 percent on Wednesday as the market continued volatile because of political unrest in Bangkok, while Singapore and Malaysia turned lower during the day as investors took profits.

Sentiment in the region was fairly positive as listed firms kicked off the results season with favourable quarterly earnings thanks to strength in the regional economy. Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam ended in positive territory.

In Singapore, top developer CapitaLand eased 0.3 percent but Keppel Land rose 2.2 percent after it posted a 75 percent increase in quarterly net profit.

Singapore Airlines gained 0.66 percent, reversing recent losses, after it reinstated some flights to and from Europe.

Other airlines in the region were mixed, with Malaysian Airline System sliding 0.9 percent but Thai Airways rising 1 percent.

In Kuala Lumpur, chip makers gained, with Unisem up 0.6 percent. Broker AmResearch said it expected Malaysian chip makers to deliver strong results, following Intel's stunning performance last week.

FCPO Daily: Sideways to lower

Market tested 2500 levels at intra-day basis but yet to break through. Immediate daily technical outlook remains weak and may extend its sideways to lower move in near term. Thus, we are looking to for the immediate upside resistance 2500-2504 (left over gap since 19/4/2010)followed by 2525-2530. While, downside support is lies at 2455-2460 followed by 2440-2430.

FKLI Daily: Weakening

Market momentum looks weakened a little following prices continue to lose ground. Thus, correction mode is likely to continue in near term. As for now, we are looking for the immediate upside resistance at 1345-1350.5. While, immediate downside support is lies at 1327-1326 followed by 1320-1310 levels.