Trader's highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Big profits from Apple and a promise from the Federal Reserve to keep rock-bottom rates for at least two more years powered the U.S. stock market higher on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 83.10 points, or 0.66 percent, at 12,758.85. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 11.41 points, or 0.87 percent, at 1,326.06. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> ended up 31.67 points, or 1.14 percent, at 2,818.31.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures rose on Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve said it would keep interest rates low at least through late 2014 and on support from strong gasoline futures.

At the end of a two-day policy meeting, the Fed said that, while the economy was expanding moderately despite slowing global growth, the U.S. unemployment rate was still elevated and that the economy faces "significant downside
risks."

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude rose 45 cents, or 0.45 percent, to settle at $99.40 a barrel, having traded from $97.53 to $100.40.

CBOT- SOYBEANS, Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures closed lower on recent improved soy crop prospects in Argentina due to timely rainfall.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures edged up in post-holiday trade on Wednesday as traders focused on dry south American weather affecting soy yields, although concerns of a looming Greek debt default curbed
gains.

Investors shifted their focus to the U.S. Federal Reserve that is expected to keep interest rates at ultra-low levels at the end of a two-day meeting on Wednesday, potentially weakening the U.S. dollar.

Benchmark April palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 0.1 percent at 3,169 Malaysian ringgit ($1,030) per tonne. Traded volumes were thin after the long weekend at 9,267 lots of 25 tonnes each, versus the usual 25,000 lots.

Regional Equity- Jan 24 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets slid on Wednesday as foreigner investors took profits after last week's rally, but Singapore rose to a three-month high on earning hopes.

Regional analysts said investors were still awaiting developments on the European debt crisis after governments and private bond holders failing to come to an agreement on a restructuring of Greece's debt on Tuesday.

Singapore bucking the trend, jumped 1.5 percent to its highest since Oct. 28 as it resumed trading after a long weekend, with upbeat earnings from technology bellwether Apple boosting sentiment.

Shares in Singapore rig builder Sembcorp Marine Ltd ended 3.6 percent firmer after an industry publication quoting Goldman Sachs and Nomura said the rig builder had won an order for a drillship from a Brazilian firm.

Shares of Singapore-listed Chinese firm Ying Li International Real Estate Ltd surged 11.9 percent after a brokerage stoked expectations that China may relax some property curbs, helping in a re-rating of the stock, traders said.

Singapore is the region's top performer so far this year with a 9.3 percent gain followed by the Philippines.