Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, June 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended down on Monday as initial optimism about China's dedication to yuan flexibility faded.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 8.23 points, or 0.08 percent, at 10,442.41. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 4.30 points, or 0.38 percent, at 1,113.21. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 20.71 points, or 0.90 percent, at 2,289.09.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, June 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended at a six-week high on Monday as risk appetite improved on hopes of higher oil demand after China allowed more flexibility in its currency.

Prices rose for the second day in a row, but a late drop in the euro against the dollar limited gains. Technical resistance at around $79 for NYMEX July crude , which is expiring on Tuesday, also helped trim gains.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for July delivery settled up 64 cents, or 0.83 percent, at $77.82 a barrel, the highest close since May 5's $79.97. It traded from $76.88 to $78.92, the highest since the May 6 intraday peak of $80.3.

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

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July up 2-1/4 at $9.63-1/4 per bushel; new-crop November up 8-1/2 at $9.39. Support from news over the weekend that China would allow the yuan to float, giving the world's top soy buyer increased buying power. Also support from a turn to hot and dry weather in the U.S. Delta Southeast and in northeast China.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July up 0.13 cent at 38.05 cents per lb. Following soybeans. Funds bought 1,000 contracts.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended a touch higher on Monday on a broader market rally and strong export data but finished well off intraday highs as the ringgit's jump raised fears about refining margins.

The Malaysian ringgit jumped around 2 percent to a near two-month high after China moved to a more flexible exchange rate policy, lifting risk currencies on most markets.

The currency shift could make imports cheaper and boost volumes, but a stronger ringgit eats into refiners' margins since crude palm oil is priced in that currency.
The benchmark September crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia rose 0.2 percent at 2,405 ringgit ($739.8) a tonne after rising earlier to a high of 2,421 ringgit, its best level since June 11. Traded volume rose to 13,643 lots of 25 tonnes each from the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, June 21 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets climbed higher on Monday after China moved to allow the yuan more flexibility, which boosted confidence in global markets, pushing up shares in coal miners and commodity-related sectors.

Fund flows to the region sent Singapore shares <.FTSTI> to their highest in almost six weeks, Malaysia <.KLSE> hit a four-week high and Thailand <.SETI> hovered around its highest in more than two months.

Airline shares moved higher, with Singapore Airlines up 1.7 percent and Malaysian Airline Systems up 0.5 percent.