Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Stocks suffered their biggest one-day loss in nearly six months on Friday as anti-government rioting in Egypt prompted investors to flee to less risky assets to ride out the turmoil.

Increased instability in the Middle East drove up the CBOE Volatility Index <.VIX>, the stock market's fear gauge, as investors scrambled for protective positions.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> ended down 166.13 points, or 1.39 percent, at 11,823.70. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 23.20 points, or 1.79 percent, at 1,276.34. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> fell 68.39 points, or 2.48 percent, at 2,686.89.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 28 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended more than 4 percent higher on Friday, on concerns that civil unrest in Egypt could spread and threaten stability in the Middle East.

Prices rose early after government data showed the U.S. economy grew by 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010, fueled by a big gain in consumer spending, which prompted hopes for increased energy demand.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for March delivery ended up $3.70, or 4.32 percent, at $89.34 a barrel, after trading from $85.11 to $89.73. It was the biggest one-day gain since Sept. 30, 2009, when prices ended up 5.8 percent.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex futures close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 1-1/2 cent at $13.98 per bushel. Weighed down by spillover pressure from tumbling wheat market due to concern about export sales and shipments to Egypt. Soy was underpinned by a port strike in Argentina that may eventually delay exports and shift business to the United States.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.14 cent per lb at 57.27 cents per lb. Following soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures extended gains on Friday, as worries over heavy rains stalling harvesting lifted prices.

Palm oil is set to post its first monthly loss in seven months, although traders expect the market to gain in the coming days as rains continue to reduce harvesting rounds in key Malaysian oil palm growing regions.

The benchmark April crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives settled up 0.4 percent to 3,700 ringgit($1,212) per tonne.

Traded volume stood at 16,934 lots at 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 15,000 lots as investors squared positions ahead of the Lunar New year holidays next week.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets closed weaker on Friday, led by Indonesia and Thailand, weighed down by worries over inflation and fears of further monetary tightening by China, analysts said.

Thailand <.SETI> fell 0.5 percent on Friday, giving it a weekly loss of 2.5 percent. The stock exchange reported net selling worth $24 million on the day.

Indonesia <.JKSE>, the region's best performer last year, fell 0.8 percent, led by mining shares, with a net foreign outflow of $28.7 million. But it rose 3.2 percent on the week, the best performance in the region, after healthy gains over the previous three sessions.

Both Jakarta and Bangkok recovered some lost ground after sharp falls of as much as 1.3 percent in early trade.

Malaysia <.KLSE> lost 0.3 percent and the Philippines closed 0.5 percent weaker with less than $1 million in foreign inflows.

Bucking the trend, Singapore <.FTSTI> recovered to close 0.3 percent firmer at its highest close since Jan. 19, while Vietnam <.VNI> rose 1.6 percent to a one-week high.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Strong corporate earnings led Wall Street to a 29-month closing high for a second day on Thursday, but another run of big gains may be harder to achieve.

The Dow and the S&P struggled to advance past major technical levels -- the 12,000 mark for the Dow and 1,300 for the S&P -- but investors see more gains for companies that outperform in their earnings.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> finished up 4.39 points, or 0.04 percent, at 11,989.83. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> closed up 2.91 points, or 0.22 percent, at 1,299.54. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 15.78 points, or 0.58 percent, at 2,755.28.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 27 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended nearly 2 percent lower on Wednesday as weak U.S. economic data spurred selling that wiped out Tuesday's gains, in a session delayed by heavy snow in the New York area,

Talk of higher OPEC production and a weekly forecast showing higher seaborne oil exports from the group added pressure.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, March crude settled down $1.69, or 1.94 percent, at $85.64 a barrel, the lowest close since the Nov. 30, 2010, settlement at $84.11. It traded from $85.31, lowest since Dec. 1's $83.63, to $87.66. Technical support buckled down at $86, analysts said.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex futures close on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March up 14 cents at $13.99-1/2 per bushel. Big exports of U.S. soy, firm cash markets, an Argentine port strike and unwinding of grains/soy spreads boost soybeans to a higher close.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March up 0.71 cent at 57.41 cents per lb. Following soybeans and oil/meal spreading, as Census soymeal stocks for soymeal above estimates.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rebounded on Thursday from one-week lows hit the previous day, buoyed by global commodities markets and stronger demand ahead of Lunar New Year.

Commodities rebounded forcefully on Wednesday from sharp losses the previous session as demand hopes and supply snags drove up oil, metals and crop prices.

The benchmark April crude palm oil contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives exchange ended up 0.4 percent at 3,685 ringgit ($1,208) a tonne. Overall traded volume were 25,648 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 15,500 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets mostly gained on Thursday as foreign investors again put money into the region although volume on the whole was low.

Commodity and energy shares were in particular demand. Indonesia <.JKSE> ended 0.4 percent higher, below the 1.4 percent seen in the early trade, led by shares in the consumer goods sector, and foreign investors bought a net $80.2 million of stock after $176.4 million in the previous three sessions, Reuters data showed.

Malaysia <.JKSE> gained 0.5 percent, with Petronas Chemicals Group gaining 2.7 percent, and Vietnam <.VNI> rose 0.3 percent. Singapore <.FTSTI> closed flat.

Some regional analysts say foreigners may increase their buying in the region as the valuations are becoming attractive again after the recent fall.

Singapore is trading at 13.9 times this year's projected earnings, the highest in the region and compared to all-Asia's 12.9. Thailand is trading at 11.4, lower than the 13.7 of Malaysia and Indonesia and 12.4 of the Philippines, Thomson Reuters StarMine data shows.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The S&P 500 closed at a 29-month high on Wednesday led by gains in tech and commodity shares, as investors largely ignored the U.S. Federal Reserve's lukewarm economic assessment.

The stock market had little reaction to the Fed, which said high unemployment still justifies a $600 billion bond-buying program that has helped equities rally in the last few months.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> edged up 8.25 points, or 0.07 percent, to end at 11,985.44. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> advanced 5.45 points, or 0.42 percent, to 1,296.63. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 20.25 points, or 0.74 percent, to 2,739.50.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 26 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures prices rose and ended a streak of six consecutive declines on Wednesday after technical support held above $86 a barrel and the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and its $600 billion bond-buying plan intact.

Prices received lift from Wall Street's strength following President Barack Obama's call for lower corporate taxes, which could spur investment and boost energy demand.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, March crude rose $1.14, or 1.32 percent, to settle at $87.33 a barrel, trading from $86.03 to $87.79, a high reached in post-settlement trading.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March up 11 cents at $13.85-1/2 per bushel. Gains in wheat market offer support. China demand for U.S. soy and soybean futures continue to underpin prices.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March up 0.92 cent at 56.70 cents per lb. Following soybeans, gains in crude oil futures.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil bounced off fresh one-week lows on Wednesday on talk of production falling further this month as rains continue to batter estates.

But investors continued to factor in favourable weather across Argentina's farming belt that may relieve soy and corn crops suffering from drought.

The benchmark April crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended down nearly 1 percent to 3,670 ringgit ($1,202) a tonne, after going as low as 3,622 ringgit -- a level unseen since Jan. 18.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Thailand's stock market gained on Wednesday, with demand for energy shares helping it rally from a four-month low, and Indonesia hit a one-week high as foreign inflows helped boost both markets after a recent sell-off.

Thailand saw a net $12.8 million in foreign buying, Indonesia $59.5 million and the Philippines $7.2 million, Reuters data showed.

The 14-day relative strength indexes of Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines are just above 30, Reuters data showed. Below that, a market is considered oversold. Indonesia's index is at 45.1 and Singapore's at 52.3. Trading volumes in Thailand and Malaysia were higher than their 30-day average.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks erased losses in a late flurry of buying to end little changed on Tuesday as overall optimism about earnings offset disappointing results from blue chips 3M and Johnson & Johnson.

About 70 percent of S&P companies so far have beaten estimates, but worries about inflation cutting into profits have caused investors to jump on shares of companies that only produce spectacular results.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> finished down 3.33 points, or 0.03 percent, at 11,977.19. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 0.34 point, or 0.03 percent, at 1,291.18. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 1.70 points, or 0.06 percent, at 2,719.25.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower for a sixth day on Tuesday as a surprise dip in Britain's fourth-quarter economic growth and India's move to raise interest rates raised fresh worries about global economic recovery.

Forecasts that weekly U.S. petroleum inventory reports will show a second consecutive week of an increase in domestic crude inventories also kept investors edgy.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for March delivery settled down $1.68, or 1.91 percent, at $86.19 a barrel, after trading between $86.12, the lowest since Dec.1, and $87.85.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 30 cents at $13.74-1/2 per bushel. Fell to a two-week low on widespread sell-off of commodities as India raised interest rates to slow inflation.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 1.40 cents at 55.78 cents per lb. Following soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR Jan 25 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell to one-week low on Tuesday as investors continued to book profits on a rally driven by strong demand and tight supplies.

Although cargo surveyors said Malaysian exports hit above 1 million tonnes for the first 25 days of January, some traders were concerned the recent run-up in prices owing to tight supply would eventually slow demand.

A bearish technical outlook may have weighed on palm oil. A Reuters analysis showed the Malaysian market could fall to 3,650 ringgit per tonne.

The benchmark April 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives fell as much as 1.6 percent to 3,690 ringgit ($1,208), a level unseen since Jan 18. The contract then settled at 3,703 ringgit. Traded volume stood at 24,436 lots of 25 tonnes each, slightly lower than the usual 15,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Indonesian and Philippine shares rose on Tuesday, regaining a little of the ground lost recently as some investors looked for bargains in banks and other big-cap stocks, but others in the region failed to hold on to early gains.

Several Southeast Asian indexes are around multi-month lows, but that has taken some to what are seen as oversold areas, including Indonesia <.JKSE>, the Philippines <.PSI> and Thailand <.SETI>. Trade was generally more active on Tuesday, with volume in Singapore <.FTSTI> at 1.4 times its 30-day average.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Wall Street resumed its rally on Monday, led by natural resources and tech shares as investors saw stocks regaining momentum lost late last week.

A share-buyback from Dow component Intel helped revive optimism, which has been reinforced by more strong profit reports. Three-quarters of the 84 S&P 500 companies that have reported results so far in this earnings season have beaten analysts'
estimates.

On Monday the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> ended up 108.68 points, or 0.92 percent, at 11,980.52. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 7.49 points, or 0.58 percent, at 1,290.84. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 28.01 points, or 1.04 percent, at 2,717.55.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 24 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower for the fifth straight session on Monday as currently ample stockpiles weighed and investors shrugged off forecasts that oil demand will rise this year.

Early in the session, extremely cold weather in the Northeast, the top heating oil market, lifted heating oil futures to fresh 27-month highs. But they were dragged down by crude and ended lower.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, March crude settled $1.24 lower, or 1.39 percent, at $87.87 a barrel, after trading from $87.27, the lowest since Jan. 7's low of $87.25, and $89.63.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soybean futures close on Monday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 7-3/4 cents at $14.04-1/2 per bushel. Profit-taking, better crop weather in Argentina weigh on soybean futures but market underpinned by good demand for soy by China.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.38 cent at 57.18 cents per lb. Following soybeans and lower crude oil.

FCPO-Jakarta Jan 24 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures ended off a two week high on Monday, tracking comparative vegetable oil prices higher as traders were concerned the ongoing rally might dent demand.

The benchmark April 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended flat at 3,748 Malaysian ringgit ($1,224) a tonne. Prices earlier in the day hit a high at 3,836 ringgit, a level not seen since Jan. 7. Overall, traded volume stood at 23,570 lots of 25 tonnes each compared with a total of 12,496 lots on Friday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Thailand's stock market fell 4.3percent on Monday, leading most other Southeast Asian bourses down as foreign investors continued to bale out of markets they believe are vulnerable to growing inflationary pressures.

Thailand <.SETI> posted its biggest loss since Oct 15, 2009, led by energy and banking shares. Indonesia <.JKSE>, the region's worst-performing bourse this year, lost 1 percent and the Philippines <.PSI> fell 1.2 percent to a 4-½ month low.

Thailand and Malaysia saw trading volume go above their 90-day average on Monday, but turnover elsewhere was fairly low.

Malaysia is trading at 14.0 times this year's projected earnings, the highest in the region and compared to all-Asia's 12.9. Thailand is trading at 12.0, lower than the 13.8 of Singapore, 13.2 of Indonesia and 12.5 of the Philippines, Thomson Reuters StarMine data shows.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Friday after two days of declines as strong earnings General Electric and Google boosted investor optimism.

General Electric Co was the top gainer on the Dow index, up 4.5 percent at $19.28. The world's biggest maker of electric turbines and jet engines, reported
better-than-expected earnings, helped by the recovery of its finance arm and a rise in revenue at its industrial units, including a sharp pickup in sales of locomotives.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 53.81 points, or 0.46 percent, at 11,876.61. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 6.78 points, or 0.53 percent, at 1,287.04. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 10.90 points, or 0.40 percent, at 2,715.19.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell for the fourth straight day on Friday, ending the week more than 2 percent weaker as rising domestic stockpiles weighed.

U.S. crude losses deepened as investors continued to factor government inventory data on Thursday which showed domestic inventories rose last week, after an unbroken stretch of drawdowns in the previous six weeks.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for March delivery settled down 48 cents, or 0.54 percent, at $89.11 a barrel, after trading from $88.87 to $90.22.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex futures close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 2 cents at $14.12-1/4 per bushel. New-crop November up 6-1/2 at $13.48-1/4. Pressure on nearby months from improved crop weather in Argentina but underpinned by big exports of U.S. soy and a weak dollar. Deferred months lifted by bullish soy acreage outlook for 2011 U.S. crop by Informa Economics.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March up 0.30 cent at 57.56 cents per lb. Oil/meal spreading lifted soyoil. Funds bought an estimated net 3,000 contracts.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rose to a near two-week high on Friday, as traders cited strong export data amid concern that supplies will struggle to keep pace with robust demand.

The market was on course to post its first weekly gain for the year as traders shifted their focus to bullish fundamentals after booking profits from Jan. 5 onwards due to the stronger U.S. dollar, some concerns of demand slowing and a technical correction.

The benchmark April 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose 0.5 percent to 3,748 ringgit a tonne at the close. It earlier peaked at 3,797 ringgit, the highest level since Jan. 10. Overall, traded volume stood at 11,930 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared with a total of 13,739 lots on Wednesday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-JAKARTA, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Friday, with Indonesia and Philippines dipping more than 10 percent off historical highs at one point as disappointing U.S earnings and fears of further monetary tightening in China turned sentiment sour.

Malaysia's KLCI Index <.KLSE> slid 1.22 percent, the biggest one-day drop in more than eight months, while the main indexes in Indonesia <.JKSE> and the Philippines <.PSI> dropped more than 10 percent.

Breaking News-RTRS - China turning to U.S. for soyoil imports-Oil World

HAMBURG, Jan 18 (Reuters) - China has increasingly imported U.S. soyoil in past weeks, turning its back on rival Argentine supplies for unclear reasons, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World said on Tuesday.
China, the world's largest soyoil importer, has not made major purchases from South America in the past few weeks, Oil World said. Oil World also believes Brazilian supplies are practically sold out for nearby shipment.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 18 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks gained on Tuesday, overcoming weak Citigroup results and concerns circling Apple after news of Chief Executive Steve Jobs' medical leave.

Investors focused instead on increased price targets for Google , which reports later this week, and Dow component Caterpillar , whose results are due next week.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 50.55 points, or 0.43 percent, to end at 11,837.93. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 1.78 points, or 0.14 percent, to 1,295.02. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 10.55 points, or 0.38 percent, at 2,765.85.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 18 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Tuesday, pressured by the restart of the Trans Alaska Pipeline and as the International Energy Agency said some members of OPEC may have quietly raised production in response to prices nearing $100 a barrel.

In a monthly report, the IEA raised its global demand growth forecast for this year and the dollar weakened against the euro, both helping limit the day's losses for crude oil.

Trading volume was well below that of Friday's, when prices rose, as U.S. markets reopened after Monday's Martin Luther King holiday.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude settled down 16 cents, or 0.17 percent, at $91.38 a barrel, trading from $90.55 to $91.90.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 9-1/4 cents at $14.13-1/4 per bushel. November up 2-3/4 at $13.26. Rainfall over the weekend in Argentina weighed on nearby months as did news China canceled a couple cargoes of soy it had purchased from the U.S. while deferred months up on unwinding of bull spreads.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March up 0.28 cent at 57.55 cents per lb. Egypt's FIHC buys 20,000 tonnes soyoil for arrival in second half of Feb - trader

FCPO-JAKARTA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil bounced from one-month lows hit earlier on Tuesday, as persistent worries that demand will outstrip supplies, buoyed prices.

The benchmark April 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended up 0.6 percent at 3,670 Malaysian ringgit ($1,200) a tonne, after going as low as 3,610 ringgit a tonne earlier. Overall, traded volume stood at 11,293lots of 25 tonnes each, compared with a total of 10,525 lots on Monday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Major Southeast Asian stock markets posted limited gains on Tuesday, with risk appetite weak across the region, but investors picked up stocks in companies expected to report good results, including Thailand's banks.

Investors turned cautious as euro zone finance ministers seemed to be in no rush to beef up their rescue fund, and some wanted to see the reaction in U.S. stocks to news Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs was taking medical leave.

Stocks in Singapore <.FTSTI> ended up 0.34 percent, taking their lead from Chinese stocks <.SSEC>, which bounced off the day's low as strong bank earnings helped offset downward pressure from signs of a further clampdown on lending.

Singapore's volume remained weak at 0.9 times its 30-day average, similar to most in the region.

In Singapore, gains in the offshore and marine sector due to the winning of contracts by rig-builder Sembcorp Marine lent support to the broad market. Sembcorp rose 2.7 percent.

Singapore's Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> ended at 3,249.58 on Tuesday. Technical signals pointed to a fall in Singapore stocks in the near term, with support at 3,220. A break of this would put the next target at 3,182.

Trader's Highlight

FCPO-JAKARTA, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil ended off one-month lows hit earlier on Monday as investors were worried that prices had overcooked the strong fundamentals in recent weeks. Palm oil rallied in recent weeks, driven by concerns that heavy rains have curbed Malaysian and Indonesian output and a dry spell may affect the Argentine soy crop. On Jan 4, prices touched 3,905 ringgit, a peak not touched since March 2008.

The benchmark April 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives fell as much as 0.7 percent to 3,618 ringgit ($1,183) per tonne, the lowest since Dec. 22. It rose 0.2 percent at the close. Overall, traded volume stood at 10,525 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared with 11,427 lots on
Friday. Earlier, prices had peaked at 3,685 ringgit, supported by export data and expectations that demand from emerging markets would outpace supplies in the coming months.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Major Southeast Asian stock markets fell in thin volume on Monday, led by financials, plagued by China's latest attempt to contain inflation that added to caution about monetary tightening in the region.

Many investors were happy to stay on the sidelines ahead of a euro zone finance ministers' meeting later in the day at which there may be an agreement to beef up the zone's rescue fund.

Markets in Singapore <.FTSTI> and Thailand <.SETI> posted small losses, while stocks in Malaysia <.KLSE>, the Philippines <.PSI> and Vietnam <.VNI> gained, although volume in each fell short of the 30-day average.

Shares in Asia excluding Japan fell 0.67 percent <.MIAPJ0000PUS> by 0906 GMT, with a steep fall in Chinese stocks spooking other Asian markets.

Shares in Singapore lenders extended recent losses after the government introduced more measures to cool home prices, which dampened the outlook for loan growth. Top lender DBS Group Holdings fell 0.5 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 14 (Reuters) - The S&P 500 ended a seventh straight week of gains with a banks-led rally amid healthy volume after encouraging financial results from JPMorgan.

Strength in financial stocks helped offset economic reports that showed soft December retail sales and consumer sentiment dented by rising gasoline prices. The market's resilience will be tested next week when a number of banks report results.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> added 55.48 points, or 0.47 percent, to 11,787.38. The Standard & Poor's 500 <.SPX> rose 9.48 points, or 0.74 percent, to 1,293.24. The Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> gained 20.01 points, or 0.73 percent, to2,755.30.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil prices ended up on Friday with their best percentage gain in six weeks, as earnings optimism on Wall Street overshadowed oil demand worries due to China's latest raising of bank reserve requirements.

Despite the gain, U.S. crude lagged well behind Brent crude, which ended at a 27-month high with its premium to benchmark West Texas Intermediate at a 23-month peak.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for February delivery settled up 14cents, or 0.15 percent, at $91.54 a barrel, after trading from $90.10 to $91.69.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March up 6-1/2 cents at $14.22-1/2 per bushel. January expired down 3-1/2 cents at $14.06-1/2. Late short-covering and evening up before the weekend lifted soy by the close. Underlying fundamentals remain bullish and overrode early pressure from profit-taking. Concern about the fate of Argentina's soybean crop due to weather problems also supportive.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March off 0.44 cent at 57.27 cents per lb. January expired down 0.60 cent per lb at 56.70. Following crude oil futures lower.


FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell on Friday, ahead of export data that may show an improvement in demand at a time when supplies are tightening.

Vegetable oil supplies have been limited by heavy rains in palm oil-producing Indonesia and Malaysia and dry weather hitting soyoil-exporting Argentina, fuelling prices to multi-month highs and raising food shortage fears.

The benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended down 0.4 percent to 3,680 Malaysian ringgit ($1,205) a tonne. Overall traded volume rose to 22,663 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 15,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Major Southeast Asian bourses ended lower on Friday, with investors quickly cashing in gains in heavyweight financial stocks, and foreign money continued to flow out of the Philippines <.PSI>, Indonesia <.JKSE> and Thailand <.SETI> this week.

However, a late rebound brought Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index <.JKSE> back into positive terrain on the day, with a rise of 0.12 percent, in falling volume of 0.65 times its average 30-day volume, similar to most markets in the region.

Indonesia fell 1.72 percent on the week, the worst in the region, ahead of a 1.68 percent loss in the Philippines. Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand drifted down on the week, reversing last week's gains.

In Singapore, trade was relatively active at 1.4 times its 30-day average. Property developers and banks fell after the government announced new measures to cool home prices.

CapitaLand , Southeast Asia's biggest developer, dropped 3.4 percent while DBS Group Holdings eased 0.8 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 13 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks edged lower on Thursday, hurt by a slide in drugmaker Merck and as falling commodities prices hit shares of natural resource companies.

The S&P 500, however, held near 28-month highs as investors saw stocks' upward trend continuing, focusing on expectations for strong earnings.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> fell 23.54 points, or 0.20 percent, to 11,731.90. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dropped 2.20 points, or 0.17 percent, to 1,283.76. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dipped 2.04 points, or 0.07 percent, to 2,735.29.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 13 (Reuters) - U.S. crude prices slipped on Thursday after a volatile session as investors wrestled with disappointing U.S. jobs data that weighed on oil demand prospects and offset a weak dollar.

Traders eyed the prospects of OPEC acting to cool the recent rally, with Brent crude futures resting over $98 a barrel, after an OPEC delegate said the producer group would not meet unless prices moved above $100.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude fell 46 cents, or 0.5 percent, to settle at $91.40 a barrel, trading from $90.91 to $92.37.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex futures close on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March up 1 cent at $14.16 per bushel. Jumped to a new 2-1/2 year peak on follow-through buying from the release on Wednesday of bullish USDA crop and stocks reports, hot weather in Argentina that was threatening the crop and on a falling dollar.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.16 cent per lb at 57.71 cents per lb. Pressure from lower crude oil.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil
bounced on Thursday from three-week lows hit the previous day after key report showed a deeper-than-expected cut for U.S. soy stocks, signalling food demand was still strong

A dry spell in South America also prompted the U.S. Department of Agriculture to slash its forecast of Argentina's soy production by 3 percent from last month, fanning fears of a supply shortage.

Weaker global soybean production and end-stocks suggest less soybeans will be available for crushing into cooking oil, and consumers may rely more on palm oil.

Benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil ended up 1.2 percent to 3,694 Malaysian ringgit ($1,206)per tonne after going as high as 3,724 ringgit.

Overall traded volume stood at 30,330 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 15,000 lots. Some traders said there could be more selling in palm oil in the coming days.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets climbed further on Thursday after a successful bond auction in Portugal eased fears about euro zone debt, for now at least, with financial shares standing out.

High global oil prices boosted appetite for energy and commodities in the resource-driven region, pushing the energy-dominated Thai benchmark <.SETI> up 1.5 percent, albeit in thin volume, with other bourses logging smaller gains.

Thai stocks saw sluggish turnover of just 0.53 times the average 30-day volume, trailing Malaysia's 0.89 and Indonesia's 1.07. Singapore was relatively active, with trade of 1.28 times.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended solidly higher on Wednesday after European debt fears eased and sparked a broad advance, led by banks and commodity-related shares.

Investors expect further flows into equities on speculation the economy will strengthen. About seven stocks rose for every three that fell on the New York Stock Exchange.

Sectors typically helped by rising inflation, including agricultural and energy, were strong. Seed company Monsanto Co rose 3.3 percent to $74.92 while Exxon Mobil Corp gained 1.2 percent to $76.58.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 83.48 points, or 0.72 percent, at 11,755.36. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 11.47 points, or 0.90 percent, at 1,285.95. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 20.50 points, or 0.75 percent, at 2,737.33.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices rose on Wednesday and settled at a 27-month peak above $91 a barrel as recent production disruptions, falling crude inventories and expectations for demand growth provided lift that also boosted Brent crude futures to near $99 a barrel.

In London, ICE Brent crude for February delivery finished up 51 cents, or 0.52 percent, at $98.12 a barrel, the highest close since Sept. 30, 2008, when prices settled at $98.17. The February Brent contract expires on Friday.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude rose 75 cents, or 0.82 percent, to settle at $91.86 a barrel, the highest settlement since Oct. 3, 2008, when crude settled at $93.88.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March up 58 cents per bushel at $14.15. Funds bought an estimated net 10,000 contracts. Supportive data in USDA's supply/demand and quarterly stocks reports.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March up 1.26 cents per lb at 57.43. Funds bought an estimated net 4,000 contracts.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Malaysia palm oil tumbled to a three-week on Wednesday on a technical correction ahead of a key U.S. crop report that is likely to show tighter supplies.

Palm oil rallied to a 33-month high last week on concerns that heavy rains in palm oil-producing Southeast Asian and a dry spell in soyoil-exporting South America will curb vegetable oil output.

But traders now feel the rally might have been overdone after Malaysian palm data showed a lower than expected decline in stocks and the Brazilian soy crop may not be as badly affected as the crop in Argentina.

Benchmark March 2011 palm oil contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives fell as much as 2.1 percent to 3,625 Malaysian ringgit ($1,180), a level unseen since Dec. 22. The contract later settled at 3,650 ringgit. Overall traded volume shot up to 25,042 lot of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 15,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stocks rose on Wednesday, with battered Indonesian shares gaining some lost ground and others posting smaller gains amid euro zone debt uncertainty.

Early selling in the bull markets of Southeast Asia this year has put several among Asia's underperforming bourses, including Indonesia <.JKSE>. Thailand <.SETI> and the Philippines <.PSI>.

The darling of emerging market investors had surged almost three-fold over the past two years and set a fresh record high just last week. Malaysia <.KLSE> and the Philippines, which scaled record highs late last year, are struggling to recover.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Energy shares helped the Dow and S&P 500 end a three-day losing streak on Tuesday, even as investors worried rising fuel costs will undercut economic growth.

Earnings reports from smaller companies, including homebuilder Lennar and store chain Sears Holdings, also supported stocks, but volume was low for a second day, raising questions about the sustainability of the longer term rally.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 34.43 points, or 0.30 percent, to 11,671.88. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 4.73 points, or 0.37 percent, to 1,274.48. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 9.03 points, or 0.33 percent, to 2,716.83.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 11 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rose for a second day on Tuesday and settled above $91 a barrel as new production disruptions in the United States and Europe spawned fresh supply concerns.

This developed even as the Trans Alaska Pipeline remained shut, keeping 12 percent of U.S. production idle. However, the pipeline was expected to restart this week with plans to bypass a leaking section, according to a source familiar with its operations.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude settled up $1.86, or 2.08 percent, at $91.11 a barrel, after trading from $88.93 to $91.33. It was the highest settlement since Jan. 3's close at $91.55.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 23-1/2 cents at $13.57 per bushel. Forecasts for wetter weather by next week in dry areas of Argentina weighed on soybean futures as did profit-taking, weak cash markets and selling of calls in soy options.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.52 cent at 56.61 cents per lb. Spillover pressure from sliding soy.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil eased on Tuesday, ahead of a key U.S. Department of Agriculture report that will likely trim the agency's forecast for South American soy output due to a lingering dry spell.

The USDA crop report due on Wednesday may also show lower soybean stocks driven by strong Chinese export demand, suggesting that food demand in Asia is still going strong.

Benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil on Bursa Malaysia derivatives settled down 27 ringgit, or 0.7 percent, at 3,703 ringgit($1,202) a tonne. Overall traded volume rose to 24,867 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 15,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Tuesday as heavyweight banks came under selling pressure and concern about European debt problems fuelled more foreign outflows.

The pull-back, in falling volume, lopped another 0.7 percent off Indonesia's stock index <.JKSE> to its lowest in more than three months, while Thailand's benchmark <.SETI> was at a three-week low.

Singapore <.FTSTI> bucked the trend, ending up 0.4 percent. The index reversed early losses in brisk trade of 1.46 times its average 30-day volume, against 0.7 times for Thai stocks and 0.9 for Indonesia.

Among active stocks in Singapore, Chinese shipbuilder Yangzijiang rose 3.1 percent after Credit Suisse raised its target price to S$2.40 from S$2.20 and kept its "outperform" rating, saying it was well-placed among Chinese yards to benefit from a recovery in container ship orders.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Friday after a court ruling in a key foreclosure case prompted investors to pull out of bank stocks, adding to weakness after a lackluster jobs report.

Even with the decline, however, the S&P 500 and Dow recorded their sixth straight week of advances. The market has proved resilient despite expectations that stocks were due for a pullback.

On Friday the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> slipped 22.55 points, or 0.19 percent, to 11,674.76. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was off 2.35 points, or 0.18 percent, to 1,271.50. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> declined 6.72points, or 0.25 percent, to 2,703.17.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Friday, closing the first week of the year with the biggest weekly percentage loss in seven weeks as the dollar rose and equities weakened.

The dollar rose after the government reported that the U.S. unemployment rate dropped in December, taking the sting off a lower-than-expected increase in hiring last month.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude settled down 35 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $88.03 a barrel. It traded from $87.25, the lowest since Dec. 17's $87.01, to $89.48. Prices have fallen from a 27-month high of $92.58 hit on Monday and are down for a second week in a row. A year ago, front-month crude settled at $82.66.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex futures closed lower on Friday as players adjusted positions amid index-fund portfolio rebalancing, traders said.

The index rebalancing began on Friday and will continue through Thursday and is expected to produce a spate of selling in the next week, with some predicting sales of about 34,000 to 38,000 contracts in corn, 7,500 in soybeans and a little more than 19,000 in wheat.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 13 cents at $13.65 per bushel. Funds sold an estimated net 6,000 contracts.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.59 at 56.82 cents per lb. Funds sold an estimated net 4,000 contracts. Late sales of 1,500 to 2,000 contracts were tied to index fund rebalance sales.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia's crude palm oil futures hit one-week lows on Friday as traders squared profits amid losses in the overseas soy complex, although worries over a supply shortage continued to weigh.

Palm oil rallied to 33-month highs earlier in the week as heavier-than-usual rains stalled harvesting in top producers Indonesia and Malaysia, while dry weather slowed soy planting in South America, raising concern over tight supplies.

The benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives fell as much as 2.7 percent to settle at 3,761 ringgit ($1,224.483) a tonne -- a level unseen since Dec. 30, 2010. Overall traded volume doubled to 30,156lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Friday as investors turned cautious before job data that might provide more evidence of a stronger U.S. economic recovery, while foreign-led selling pulled Indonesia to its lowest in nearly two weeks.

Indonesia's main index <.JKSE> finished down 2.8 percent as investors locked in profits in Southeast Asia's best performer of 2010. Singapore <.FTSTI> and most others saw smaller losses.

Despite the bearish session, brokers in the region remained generally optimistic. Malaysia <.KLSE> set new records early in the week and was the best performer, posting a 3.5 percent rise on the week.

It gained 0.2 percent on the day, bucking the general market trend, thanks to buying interest in telecommunications shares, including the biggest, Telekom Malaysia , which jumped 4.8 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 6 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks slipped on Thursday as soft retail sales and a sharp rise in the dollar left investors edgy a day before December's U.S. employment report.

Given a rise of about 8 percent in the S&P 500 since the start of December, investors could be looking for an excuse to sell stocks if the jobs report falls short of forecasts that were raised after Wednesday's strong private-sector payroll report.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 25.65 points, or 0.22 percent, at 11,697.24. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 2.71 points, or 0.21 percent, at 1,273.85. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 7.69 points, or 0.28 percent, at 2,709.89.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 6 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices fell 2 percent and settled below $89 a barrel on Thursday, pressured by the dollar's strength and disappointing December retail sales that weighed on U.S. stock indexes.

U.S. claims for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, also helping to dent optimism.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude fell $1.92, or 2.13 percent, to settle at $88.38 a barrel, having traded from $87.85 to $90.71.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade wheat, corn and soybean futures closed lower on Thursday, pressured by a higher dollar, lower crude oil and slow export sales of U.S. product, especially corn and soybeans, traders said.

Markets were also pressured by expectations that commodity index funds would sell corn, wheat and soybeans starting on Friday in portfolio rebalancing.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 15-1/2 cents at $13.78 per bushel. Profit-taking after recent rally to 28-month highs. Additional pressure from showers this week in Argentina that eased stress on the developing soy crop. Firm dollar and slow export sales of U.S. soybeans also weigh.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.35 cent per lb at 56.90. Lower following soybeans and crude oil, but underpinned by oil/meal spreading.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil recovered on Thursday, driven by erratic weather slowing production in major vegetable oil exporting regions at a time of growing global demand.

Palm oil prices were also supported by the rally in other agriculture markets on Wednesday that stoked fears of rising food prices. The United Nation's food agency said food prices hit a record high last month, outstripping levels that triggered riots in 2008.

The benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose 1.5 percent to trade at 3,864 ringgit ($1,259.452) per tonne. Traded volumes rose to 20,333 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 15,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Thursday as higher palm oil prices lifted plantation stocks and investors continued to pour money into financial shares because of growth in regional economies and consumption.

Brisk demand for food and edible oil producers helped push stock indexes in Malaysia <.KLSE> and Indonesia <.JKSE> to record intra-day peaks, with Singapore <.FTSTI> at eight-week highs and Thailand <.SETI> testing a 14-year peak.

At the close on Thursday, Singapore's Straits Times Index was up 0.8 percent while Malaysia's main share index added 0.1 percent, but Indonesia's index finally ended down 1.3 percent, slipping from that record high, while the Thai index ended flat.

Among commodities stocks in Southeast Asia with a market capitalisation above $1 billion, Singapore-listed commodity firm Noble Group saw 2.5 times its average 30-day trading volume. Noble gained 1.8 percent on the day.

Noble Group is the best proxy for the macroeconomic recovery, and strong momentum in agricultural and energy stocks should continue, according to Nomura's Tanuj.

Nomura reaffirmed Noble as its top buy, seeing its valuation at 14.6 times forecast fiscal year 2011 earnings as undemanding in the cyclical upswing.

Other large-cap stocks whose volume on the day was more than double the 30-day average included Wilmar International , the world's largest listed palm oil firm, which gained 1.4 percent.

Malaysian palm plantation firm Sime Darby rose 0.2 percent and Singapore-listed commodities firm Olam International was up 2.2 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - The creation of three times as many private-sector jobs as expected turned Wall Street's early losses into gains on Wednesday, extending a rally investors worried had come too far too fast.

Financial stocks led gains, helped by credit-card companies such as Capital One Finance Corp , which rose 4.2 percent to $45.52. The S&P consumer finance index <.GSPCFI>, which includes major personal finance companies, gained 2.8 percent.

The jump in private payrolls to nearly triple the forecast, comes two days ahead of the government's labor report. Economists boosted forecasts for Friday's payroll growth.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 31.71 points, or 0.27 percent, to 11,722.89. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 6.36 points, or 0.50 percent, to 1,276.56. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 20.95 points, or 0.78 percent, to 2,702.20.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices rallied back above $90 a barrel on Wednesday as unexpectedly big gains in private sector jobs and growth in the services sector bolstered optimism that the U.S. economy's recovery was heating up.

A fire in an industrial complex near Rotterdam in the Netherlands also helped crude futures bounce from early lows.

Brokers and traders also said investors came in to "buy the dip" when support firmed just above $88 a barrel a day after a commodities sell-off left crude down more than 2 percent from Monday's settlement at a 27-month high above $91 a barrel.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude rose 92 cents, or 1.03 percent, to settle at $90.30 a barrel, trading from $88.10 to $90.84.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade wheat, corn and soybean futures closed higher on Wednesday on short-covering and fund buying following several days of declines tied to fund long-liquidation and profit-taking.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March up 24 cents at $13.93-1/2 per bushel. Funds bought an estimated net 6,000 to 7,000 contracts.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March up 0.91 cent at $57.76 cents per lb. Funds bought an estimated net 4,000 contracts.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures fell more than 2 percent on Wednesday after a strong New Year rally driven partly by weather concerns lost some steam because of a stronger dollar.

But traders said steep losses were unlikely as vegetable oil markets were eyeing heavy rains that can slow oil palm harvesting in Southeast Asia and drier weather stalling soybean plantings in Argentina.

The dollar held firm in Asian trade after data showed some signs of strength in the U.S. economy.

The benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives lost 80 ringgit to trade at 3,808 ringgit ($1,242.617) per tonne after hitting a 33-month high the previous day.

Traded volumes rose to 22,852 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 15,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian bourses gained on Wednesday as investors piled into banking stocks, expecting them to gain in a rising interest rate environment, but palm oil shares dropped, tracking a fall in global commodities.

Malaysian shares <.KLSE> scaled another record intra-day high, ending 0.9 percent higher, with market volume more than double the 90-day average on the back of demand from both local and foreign investors, particularly for financial shares, a Kuala Lumpur dealer said.

HSBC Global Research said it had upgraded Malaysia and Singapore to overweight and maintained its overweight stance on Indonesia, seeing these as markets where earnings might be higher than anticipated. It put Thailand and the Philippines at underweight. Differing inflation pressures were one factor.

Stocks in Singapore <.FTSTI> and Thailand <.SETI> hovered around eight-week highs, rising 0.12 percent and 0.8 percent respectively.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Investors abandoned red-hot commodity shares on Tuesday, while fears of lower supermarket profits hit food retailers, sending the S&P and Nasdaq lower.

Volume was strong for a second day as investors reshuffled their portfolios at the beginning of the year, and analysts said the attractiveness of equities was intact.

Recent stock gainers topped Tuesday's list of losers, falling as copper, oil and other commodities slipped from multiyear highs.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> added 20.43 points, or 0.18 percent, to 11,691.18. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dipped 1.67 points, or 0.13 percent, to 1,270.20. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was off 10.27 points, or 0.38 percent, to 2,681.25.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 4 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures slid more than 2 percent on Tuesday, posting their biggest one-day percentage loss since mid-November, as investors took some profits after prices rose to a 27-month high on Monday.

Profit-taking also hit a broad range of commodities after the dollar bounced on economic data that showed an increase in U.S. factory orders in November.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for February delivery settled down $2.17, or 2.37 percent, at $89.38 a barrel, after trading from $88.36 to $92.07.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex futures closed lower on Tuesday amid a wave of profit-taking and long liquidation, traders said.

Prices had climbed to levels that some analysts viewed as lofty and unsustainable. Front-month corn futures, for example, had climbed to a 29-month high at year-end.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 9-1/4 cents at $13.61 per bushel. Funds sold an estimated net 6,000 contracts.

CBOT-SOYOIL - January down 0.76 cent at $56.33 cents per lb. Funds sold an estimated net 3,000 contracts.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil hit a fresh 33-month high on Tuesday as part of a weather-driven rally in global vegetable oil markets.

Heavier-than-usual rains stalled harvesting in top producers Indonesia and Malaysia, and dry weather slowed soy plantings in South America, raising concern over tight supplies.

Prospects of shrinking supplies come as top Asian buyers such as China need to build inventories for Lunar New Year holidays in early February, which run for about 10 days.

The benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose 0.9 percent to 3,888 ringgit ($1,268.722) per tonne, after earlier going as high as 3,905 ringgit -- a level unseen since March 10, 2008.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets rose in strong volume on Tuesday as higher oil prices boosted demand for energy and other commodity-related stocks, with optimism about the U.S. recovery and Asian growth raising risk appetite.

Malaysian shares <.KLSE> hit a record intra-day high on their second trading session of the year while stocks in Singapore <.FTSTI>, Thailand <.SETI> and the Philippines <.PSI> approached eight-week highs.

The region attracted more foreign inflows as investors kept looking for higher-yieldings assets. Manila gained $129 million in inflows on Tuesday, a three-week high, Thomson Reuters data showed.

Singapore's Straits Times Index was up 0.6 percent on the day, Thailand's SET index rose 1.2 percent by 0910 GMT and the main Philippine share index inched up 0.08 percent.

Malaysian crude palm oil hit a 33-month high on Monday and that pushed up palm plantation stocks, led by a 5.7 percent surge in Malaysia's Sime Darby and a 3.8 percent gain in IOI Corp .

Singaporean palm oil firm Noble Group gained 2.3 percent and Olam International rose 1.9 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Wall Street stocks surged more than 1 percent as the new trading year kicked off on Monday and the rally of late 2010 resumed on encouraging signs about the economic outlook and a seasonal effect.

Stocks got a boost from the "January effect" when fund managers are no longer engaged in year-end window dressing and instead focus on stocks they find attractive.

The Nasdaq 100 <.NDX> hit a 10-year high, driven largely by gains in Apple Inc , which hit an all-time high at $330.20 and is up 56 percent since the end of 2009. The Nasdaq 100's level is still half of the all-time high of 2000.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 121.81 points, or 1.05 percent, at 11,699.32. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 16.78 points, or 1.33 percent, at 1,274.42, hitting fresh two-year highs. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 42.29 points, or 1.59 percent, at 2,695.16.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 3 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended at a 27-month high on Monday, the first trading session of the year, as positive U.S. and European economic data and forecasts for colder weather spurred hopes for greater demand for oil.

U.S. economic reports showed manufacturing grew at its fastest pace in seven months in December and construction spending hit a five-month peak in November

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for February delivery settled up 17cents at $91.55 a barrel, the highest close since Oct. 3, 2008, when front-month U.S. crude ended at $93.88.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed higher on Monday, as heavy rain in Australia further threatened its wheat crop and disrupted grain movement.

In addition, a lack of snow cover in the southern U.S. Plains has made frigid temperatures more worrisome for wheat. Signs of strong export demand also underpinned prices.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 23-1/2 cents at $13.70-1/4 per bushel. Funds sold an estimated net 6,000 contracts.

CBOT-SOYOIL - January down 0.65 cent at 57.09 cents per lb. Following soy lower.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil hit a new 33-month high on Monday as robust demand chases tightening supplies and investors continue to place bets on commodities after a strong performance last year.

Palm oil prices, which rose 42.2 percent in 2010, are underpinned by heavy rains lashing oil palm estates in Malaysia and Indonesia and dry weather in soyoil-producing Argentina.

Traders said demand for palm oil will lift prices as China stocks up for the Lunar New year holidays in early February and other Asian countries need to top up their inventories.

The benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose almost 2 percent to 3,861 ringgit ($1,249) per tonne, a level unseen since March 2008, before settled at 3,852 ringgit ($1,249.230).

Overall traded volumes almost doubled at 14,768 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared with the usual 15,000 lots after the long-weekend.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Jan 3 (Reuters) - All southeast Asian stock markets gained on Monday, the first trading day of 2011, with Malaysia hitting a record high and Singapore rising to a near eight-week high after posting strong economic growth data for 2010.

Malaysia <.KLSE> gained 1 percent to an all-time high close of 1,533.42 points, surpassing its previous record high hit on Nov. 10. The trading share volume in Kuala Lumpur was more than its 90-day average volume.

Singapore <.FTSTI> outperformed regional markets with 1.4 percent gain, its highest percentage and points rise since Nov. 1, after its government posted Asia's fastest economic growth of 14.7 percent for 2010.

In Singapore, top lender DBS Group rose 1.3 percent, while United Overseas Bank added 2 percent on the day.

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp gained 1.4 percent after it said the merger of its two licensed bank subsidiaries in Indonesia -- Bank OCBC Indonesia and Bank OCBC NISP -- had taken effect from Jan. 1.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 31 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were little changed on Friday, the final day of the year, as investors were reluctant to make big bets after a rally that put the S&P on track for its best December performance in nearly two decades.

The benchmark index has gained 6.6 percent so far this month, closing Wednesday at its highest level since Sept. 8, 2008, and has risen in 17 of the last 21 sessions. The index is on course for its biggest December gain since 1991, when it rose 11.2 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 9.46 points, or 0.08 percent, at 11,579.17. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 0.28 points, or 0.02 percent, at 1,257.60. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 10.94 points, or 0.41 percent, at 2,652.04.

NYMEX-HOUSTON, Dec 31 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices settled higher on Friday and ended the year up 15.14 percent after jumping to a 26-month peak intraday on expectations an improving global economic recovery will fuel demand growth again in 2011.

The dollar's weakness on Friday also was supportive traders said, along with technical strength as crude prices found support just above $89 intraday before bouncing higher and briefly moving above $92 a barrel.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange on Friday, February crude rose $1.54, or 1.71 percent, to settle at $91.38 a barrel, trading from $89.05 to $92.06, highest front-month price since the $93.02 intraday peak hit on Oct. 7, 2008.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Grain futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were higher on Friday, with the January soybean contract up sharply on concerns about dry weather conditions in Argentina.

U.S. dollar weakness supported prices across the board, as did expectations of commodity fund buying at year-end.

For the year, the dollar is up about 1.5 percent against a basket of major currencies <.DXY>, though it was half a percent lower on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 20-1/4 cents at $13.86-1/4 per bushel. South Korea issued a tender to buy 25,000 tonnes of nongenetic modified yellow soybeans for arrival by March 31 - Agro-Fisheries Trade Corp.

CBOT-SOYOIL - January up 0.10 cent at $56.48 cents per lb. Soyoil deliveries heavy at 8,610 lots; most estimates were for 3,000-5,000.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose on Thursday as traders took positions ahead of the long weekend, while they posted their lowest annual gains in two years.

Palm oil, which has climbed 42.2 percent this year, was underpinned by concerns of heavy rains curbing supply in Malaysia and Indonesia as well as dry weather sapping soybean yields in South America.

Traders said the earlier correction in palm oil during the day could set the stage for another rally if the weather issues persist.

The benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose as much as 1.6 percent to 3,792 Malaysian ringgit ($1,227) per tonne, revisiting a 33-month high, before settling at 3,788 ringgit.

Overall traded volumes stood at14,510 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 15,000 lots, ahead of Malaysian financial markets closing for a public holiday on Friday (Dec 31).

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian bourses ended higher on Thursday, the final session of 2010 in much of the region, with Indonesia poised to show the biggest gain in a year marked by foreign inflows and domestic economic resilience.

The Jakarta Composite Index <.JKSE> inched up 0.12 percent after an early climb to three-week highs. Singapore's Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> gained 0.14 percent, with the Philippines <.PSI> and Vietnam <.VNI> also eking out small gains.

However, stock indexes in Malaysia <.KLSE> and Thailand <.SETI> erased early gains, finishing down 0.36 percent and 0.29 percent respectively.