Friday, April 30, 2010

Breaking News-RTRS-UPDATE 4-Argentine refinery workers threaten strike over pay

BUENOS AIRES, April 29 (Reuters) - The Argentine government struggled on Thursday to broker a deal between oil companies and refinery workers to avert a pay strike that threatens to halt fuel production.
As talks resumed late on Thursday, workers prepared for a possible strike that could spark fuel shortages, disrupting the harvest of corn and a record-large soybean crop in one of the world's top grain-exporting nations.
Officials from two energy companies, who asked not to be identified, expressed confidence that an agreement was close, but union leaders said the two sides were still far apart.

Breaking News-RTRS-US soy oil stocks 3.257 bln lbs in March - Census

WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean oil stocks totaled 3.257 billion lbs in March, compared to 3.287 billion lbs in February, the U.S. Census Bureau said on Thursday.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 29 (Reuters) - Global markets staged a relief rally on Thursday as Greece's move to enact severe austerity measures to secure an aid package eased fears that the debt crisis will spread across Europe, boosting the euro and fueling the biggest jump in equities since early March.

Risk premiums eased and oil prices rose above $85 a barrel as a potential resolution of Greece's persistent debt problems appeared within grasp. Officials from the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund were in Athens to negotiate the bailout and wrap up a deal within days.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 122.05 points, or 1.10 percent, to 11,167.32. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 15.42 points, or 1.29 percent, to 1,206.78. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 40.19 points, or 1.63 percent, to 2,511.92.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended higher for a second day in a row on Thursday as risk appetite sharpened after the euro gained against the dollar on fresh hopes that financial aid to debt-strapped Greece would become available soon.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 29 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - May up 3 cents at $9.85-3/4 per bushel; new-crop November up 5 cents at $9.70-1/2. Spillover support from gains in corn and strong number for soy in USDA's weekly export sales report. Weak dollar and higher crude oil also supportive.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May up 0.26 cent at 38.80 cents per lb. Support from higher crude oil and unwinding of meal/oil spreads.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Reuters) - Malaysia palm oil futures extended losses for a third session on Thursday as traders booked profits in tandem with weaker commodity markets.

The benchmark July palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives dropped 0.6 percent, or 16 ringgit, to 2,531 ringgit ($787.2) a tonne. Overall traded volume was 13,894 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 29 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Thursday after positive Federal Reserve comments on the
U.S. economy, with bullish earnings views also helping.

Major markets in the region turned higher after losses in the previous two sessions caused by concern about the fiscal crises in some euro zone countries.

Singapore <.FTSTI> rose 0.9 percent, after hitting four-week lows on Wednesday, Indonesia <.JKSE> gained 0.8 percent while Malaysia <.KLSE>, Thailand <.SETI>, the Philippines <.PSI> and Vietnam <.VNI> posted smaller gains.

In Singapore, casino operator Genting Singapore shot up 8.7 percent as its casino continued to attract crowds despite the opening of a rival venue by operator Las Vegas Sands .

In Kuala Lumpur, buying continued in banks with Malayan Banking up 0.4 percent and RHB Capital up 1 percent.

Construction steel firm Ann Joo Resources rose 1.4 percent to 2.89 ringgit after it reported favourable first-quarter earnings and CIMB Investment Bank raised its target price to 3.30 ringgit.

NYMEX Crude Daily: Found some support at USD80.50-81.00


Market looks has found some support at around USD80.50-81.00 and rebounded to test the immediate upside resistance at USD85.63. Thus, market may consolidate and move in the range of USD86.40-87.00 to USD80.50. Violation of either way may provide a more clearer direction.