Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 16 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were little changed on Thursday as mixed economic data and a cautious forecast from economic bellwether FedEx kept the market locked in its recent tight trading range.

A drop in initial jobless benefit claims to a two-month low in the most recent week was not enough to lift stocks, while a gauge of business activity in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region showed a contraction for a second straight month in September.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 22.10 points, or 0.21 percent, to 10,594.83. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dropped 0.40 points, or 0.04 percent, to 1,124.67. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 1.93 points, or 0.08 percent, to 2,303.25.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 16 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures fell a third straight session on Thursday, dropping nearly 2 percent as expectations a key Canada-to-U.S. crude oil pipeline will restart soon and mixed economic data weighed on investor sentiment.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, October crude fell $1.45, or 1.91 percent, to settle at $74.57 a barrel, trading from $74.11 to $75.99.

CBOT- CHICAGO, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - November down 6-1/4 cents per bushel at $10.36-1/4 per bushel. Profit-taking after recent gains weigh on market. USDA on Thursday said export sales of U.S. soy last week 668,600 tonnes, near the low end of estimates for 650,000 to 850,000 tonnes. Private exporters reported the sale of 170,500 tonnes of U.S. soybeans to China for 2010/11 delivery - USDA.

CBOT -SOYOIL - October down 0.25 cent per lb at 41.36 cents per lb. Following soybeans and lower crude oil. USDA on Thursday said export sales of U.S. soyoil last week 132,100 tonnes, above estimates for 80,000 to 120,000 tonnes.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures hit one-week lows on Wednesday, after data showing a strong buildup in stocks prompted a sell-off.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board said inventories in the world's No. 2 producer jumped 22.6 percent in August to their highest level in six months as a strong recovery in output outpaced weak overseas demand.

The benchmark November crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 1.1 percent, or 28 ringgit, to close at 2,615 ringgit ($842.4) per tonne after touching its lowest since Sept. 6 of 2,605 ringgit.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets were mixed on Thursday, but inflows pushed the Philippines to a record high and Thai stocks recovered some ground after recent jitters over possible measures to hold down the baht.

Singapore <.FTSI> inched down 0.13 percent but was still close to a two-year high. Vietnam <.VNI> gained 0.18 percent, reversing a small loss the previous day. Malaysia <.KLSE>, which is at a 2-1/2-year high, was shut for a market holiday.

In Singapore, banks fell. Singapore's best-ever economic expansion in the first half and reduced bad loan charges have boosted bank earnings this year, but rock-bottom interest rates are keeping margins under pressure.