DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rebounded from two days of sharp losses on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve said it is prepared to do more for the economy if conditions warrant, helping to stanch the panicky reaction to Europe's debt crisis.
Trading volume was light, however, possibly signaling that worries about Greece hold greater sway than the Fed at this time. Investors sold heavily this week after Greece said it would hold a referendum on an EU bailout crucial to stabilizing the euro zone's financial system.
The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI>; rose 178.08 points, or 1.53 percent, at 11,836.04. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX>; gained 19.62 points, or 1.61 percent, at 1,237.90. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC>; added 33.02 points, or 1.27 percent, at 2,639.98.
NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters) - U.S. crude ended slightly higher after volatile trading on Wednesday as the weak dollar and stronger Wall Street shares provided support even as concerns about Greece and euro zone debt problems curbed oil's gains.
U.S. crude posted a higher finish after three consecutive losing sessions. The euro climbed against the dollar, snapping three days of losses, in volatile trading as a showdown looms between Greece and monetary authorities over a bailout that would prevent a Greek default.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, December crude
CBOT-SOYBEANS,Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures closed nearly flat with early gains pared on pressure from falling corn futures and hesitant new net buying amid continued global economic uncertainty.
Informa Economics pegged 2011 U.S. soybean production and yield above expectations. Traders said there was talk that China bought 2-4 cargoes of U.S. soy. Cash soybean markets were firm.
FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures climbed 1.2 percent on Wednesday as traders looked to a developing La Nina weather pattern that could curb production of the tropical oil.
La Nina-driven heavy rains at the end of the year could coincide with the monsoon season, stalling harvesting and supporting palm oil futures that have lost almost 22 percent so far this year.
Benchmark January palm oil futures
REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The main Southeast Asian stock markets clawed higher on Wednesday as quarterly results and optimism about interest rates lifted banks, with hopes growing that the U.S. Federal Reserve may consider further measures to revive the economy.
Late buying helped reverse early losses in most markets as sentiment in Europe picked up initially, although markets there turned lower after the close in Asia.
Indonesia and Singapore rose after two-day falls, with Jakarta's Composite Index <.JKSE> rising 2.1 percent and Singapore's Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> up 1.6 percent. Thai stocks <.SETI> ended up 1 percent after Tuesday's 1.9 percent drop.
Malaysia <.KLSE> edged down 0.3 percent, recouping some of its early losses of 1.2 percent to a one-week low. Philippine shares <.PSI> dropped 1.7 percent, resuming trade after a market holiday, and Vietnam <.VNI> fell 1.5 percent.
