Trader's Highlights

DJI - NEW YORK, Nov 27 - U.S. stocks fell more than 1 percent in a truncated session on Friday as a possible debt default by a Dubai state-owned conglomerate led to fresh concerns about the global financial system.

The sell-off was broad, with selling concentrated mainly in the financial and commodity-linked sectors as investors trimmed positions in areas of the market most sensitive to economic uncertainty.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 154.48 points, or 1.48 percent, to end at 10,309.92. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index fell 19.14 points, or 1.72 percent, to 1,091.49. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 37.61 points, or 1.73 percent, to 2,138.44.

NYMEX - NEW YORK, Nov 27 - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Friday amid concerns about a possible default at a Dubai state-owned conglomerate that lifted the dollar and also pressured equity markets. Dubai said on Wednesday two of its flagship firms planned to delay repayment on debt as a step toward restructuring the Dubai World conglomerate.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude fell $1.91, or 2.45 percent, to settle at $76.05 a barrel. Friday's intraday low was $72.39, the weakest since dropping to $70.62 on Oct. 9. Friday's high trade was $77.94.

SOYBEANS - January down 1-1/2 cents at $10.53 per bushel. Market came off day's lows as corn rallied. Initial pressure stemmed from strength in U.S. dollar, which makes U.S. products less competitive and prompts large investors to sell commodities as a hedge against inflation.

SOYOIL - December down 0.47 cent at 40.10 cents per lb. Pressured by weaker crude oil and meal/oil spreading.

FCPO - KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 - Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended flat on Thursday, easing from a 15-week high hit earlier in the session on some profit-taking after crude oil weakened in late Asian trade.

Palm oil climbed to its highest since Aug. 13 after top Asian buyers such as China and India bought more palm oil since the vegetable oil's discount to rival soyoil has widened to $130-$150 a tonne versus $100 generally.

Prospects of heavy rain cutting into production also lifted the market, which has risen 6.7 percent since Nov. 16.

The benchmark February contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose as much as 39 ringgit to 2,521 ringgit ($746.5) before ending unchanged when profit taking settled in.

REGIONAL EQUITIES - BANGKOK, Nov 27 - Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Friday as concern about a debt crisis in Dubai fuelled selling in banks and big caps such as Indonesia's Bank Mandiri, Thailand's Italian-Thai and the Philippines' Metropolitan Bank.

Indonesia's benchmark stock index dropped 2.8 percent to its lowest in more than two weeks, Thailand's index lost 0.8 percent to its lowest since Nov. 4 and the Philippines slid 1.5 percent to a one-week low.

Vietnam rose 1.7 percent, stemming its losses after an interest rate rise and currency devaluation. Stock markets in Singapore and Malaysia were closed for national holidays.

Breaking News-RTRS-US Oct soy crush 163.06 mln bu-Census Bureau

-U.S. OCT SOYBEAN CRUSH 163.06 MLN BUSHELS -- CENSUS BUREAU
-U.S. OCT TOTAL FACTORY/WAREHOUSE SOYOIL STOCKS 2.727 BILLION LBS-- CENSUS
-U.S. OCT SOYMEAL/HULLMEAL STOCKS 444,940 SHORT TONS -- CENSUS BUREAU

Breaking News-RTRS-UPDATE 1-Indonesia keeps Dec palm oil export tax at zero

JAKARTA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Indonesia will keep its palm oil export tax at zero for the fifth consecutive month in December but will raise the crude palm oil (CPO) base export price to $623 a tonne from $595 in November due to a price rise, a trade ministry official said on Wednesday.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 25 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose in light trading volume on Wednesday, supported by data that pointed to stabilization in the labor and housing markets, areas that have fed concerns about a "double dip" recession.

Trading volume was among the lightest of the year one day before the Thanksgiving holiday, with many senior traders absent from trading floors. Even so, the Dow industrials and the S&P 500 edged to fresh 13-month highs.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 30.69 points, or 0.29 percent, to end at 10,464.40. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 4.98 points, or 0.45 percent, to 1,110.63. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> advanced 6.87 points, or 0.32 percent, to close at 2,176.05.

U.S. financial markets will be closed on Thursday to mark Thanksgiving. On Friday, trading resumes, but the U.S. stock market will close early at 1 p.m. (1800 GMT).

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 25 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rose on Wednesday, lifted by the weak dollar after a government oil inventory report showed crude stocks rose last week.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude rose $1.94, or 2.55 percent, to settle at $77.96 a barrel, trading from $75.50 to $78.04.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 8-1/2 cents at $10.54-1/2 a bushel. Market turns higher after early weakness as crude oil prices rally. Strong global demand continues to lend strength to soy, which closed 1 cent below its intraday high.

U.S. Census pegs October soybean crush at 163.06 million bushels, slightly below estimates for 163.7 million bushels.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December up 0.87 cent at 40.57 cents per lb. Rally in crude oil, weak dollar support prices.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil scored 15-week highs on Wednesday, supported by speculation rainy weather will hit output, but ended back from those highs on slowing export growth as reported by cargo surveyors.

Palm oil scaled its highest since Aug.14 earlier in the session. The benchmark February contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose as much as 40 ringgit to 2,518 ringgit ($746.9) before settling 3 ringgit higher at 2,481 ringgit.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Vietnam's stock market hit a
three-month low on Wednesday after the central bank raised interest rates and devalued the currency but Thailand rose nearly 3 percent on relief an anti-government protest was postponed.

Singapore edged higher while other Southeast Asian markets eased slightly. In Singapore, shares in CapitaMalls Asia gained 8.5 percent to S$2.3 on their debut, compared with the initial public offer price of S$2.12.

In Kuala Lumpur, financial firm AMMB Holdings was down 2.4 percent and telecoms firm Maxis was up 1.9 percent.

CBOT Soyoil Daily: Gaining ground

Market recovered with closing at day high at USc41.10. However, more strength is still needed to break out from the recent high at USc41.15 in order for a more sustainable rally. As for now, we continue to look for the immediate upside resistance at USc41.15 followed by USc42.23-USc42.48 (gap left over on 6/10/2009). Immediate downside support is adjusted to USc40.00.

NYMEX Crude Daily: Range trading

Market looks defended well at USD75.00. Thus, market may trade in the range between USD75.00 to USD82.00 in near term. Violation of either one may give a more clearer direction.

FCPO Daily: Likely to challenge 2521 and higher

Market is getting closer to the upside target at 2521 levels. Violation of it may provide more room to further upside potential. Next resistance will be looking at 2580-2600. While, downside support remains at 2428-2419 (gap left over on 23/11/2009).

Breaking News-RTRS-US soybean exports to stay high - Oil World

HAMBURG, Nov 24 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean exports are likely to remain high, supporting soybean prices, but the outlook for the South American crop in early 2010 will be key in price setting, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World said on Tuesday.
The recent rise in U.S soybean futures has been fuelled by higher than expected Chinese demand, low South American supplies and high U.S. exports, it said.

Breaking News-RTRS-Asia palm oil stocks to fall on soy premium, rain

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Palm oil stocks in Indonesia and Malaysia will drop around 500,000 tonnes to 3.5 million tonnes by the end of the year as strong Asian demand outpaces production hit by rains, traders said on Tuesday.
Stocks in the world's top two producers of the vegetable oil are set to come down by half a million tonnes in a matter of five weeks as big buyers China and India keep on purchasing palm oil that holds a $140 a tonne discount to rival soyoil.
Palm oil's discount usually stands at $40-50 a tonne in the last three months to the soyoil once the U.S. soybean harvests comes in, trade data showed.
Rainy weather in Malaysia hitting palm oil output will also contribute to the decline in stocks, said Malaysian, Singaporean and Indonesian traders.

Breaking News-RTRS-INTERVIEW-Indonesia govt raises palm oil output forecasts

JAKARTA, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Indonesia has raised its forecasts for crude palm oil production in 2009 and 2010 because of better weather conditions and an increase in plantation areas, an agriculture ministry official said on Tuesday.
The ministry is now forecasting 2009 palm oil output of 21 million tonnes, an increase of 6.6 percent from its previous estimate of 19.7 million tonnes, said Achmad Mangga Barani, director general for plantation at the ministry, in an interview with Reuters.
As for 2010, he said the ministry had raised its output forecast to 22-23 million tonnes, from 20.5 million tonnes previously.

Breaking News-RTRS-ANALYSIS-China's massive soy imports to flow into 2010

BEIJING, Nov 24 (Reuters) - China will retain its huge appetite for soy imports next year, and shipments may even eclipse this year's record, thanks to Beijing's pledge to keep shoring up local prices and a pick-up in soymeal demand.
Rising imports are already evident as the world's biggest soy importer has taken advantage of a record U.S. harvest to book 15.84 million tonnes of new U.S. soy, nearly twice as much as the 8.28 million tonnes booked by this point in 2008, U.S. Department of Agriculture figures show.

Breaking News-RTRS-BRIEF-Palm oil prices to average 3,000 rgt/t in 2010-Stanchart

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Standard Chartered said Malaysian crude palm oil prices (CPO) will recover from second quarter in 2010 and average 3,000 ringgit ($889.4) per tonne in 2010 from 2,202 ringgit a tonne this year.
Standard Chartered's forecasts issued on Tuesday assume limited downside for the vegetable oil on the back of higher oil prices, as CPO has re-established its correlation with energy prices.
This relationship is expected to provide solid support for palm oil for the rest of 2009 and into 2010.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday on lackluster economic data in a session marked by low volume and choppy trading, but losses eased after the Federal Reserve raised its expectations for growth in 2010.

Stocks fell early in the session as revised government data on gross domestic product showed the U.S. economy grew at a slower-than-expected pace in the third quarter.

The U.S. stock market will be closed on Thursday in observance of Thanksgiving Day. On Friday, it will be open for only half a day due to the holiday.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 17.24 points, or 0.16 percent, to end at 10,433.71. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> inched down just 0.59 of a point, or 0.05 percent, to 1,105.65. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> fell 6.83 points, or 0.31 percent, to 2,169.18.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Tuesday on a report showing third-quarter economic growth was less than estimated earlier and on expectations that crude oil inventories rose last week.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration's inventory report is due at 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT) on Wednesday.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude fell $1.54, or 1.99 percent, to settle at $76.02 a barrel, trading from $75.60 to $77.80. Globex electronic trading after settlement and the API data release ended at $75.84 a barrel, down $1.72, with the range unchanged.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 4 cents at $10.46 a bushel. Strong export demand and slowdown in harvest help limit pressure from weak corn and crude oil.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December up 0.30 cent at 39.70 cents per lb. Rallying despite declines in crude oil.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended 0.3 percent lower on Tuesday, easing from a 14-week high hit the previous day, on weaker commodity markets.

The benchmark February contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed down 8 ringgit to 2,478 ringgit ($731.4) after going as low as 2,430 ringgit earlier.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets
ended mixed on Tuesday, with Singapore reversing early gains to 15-month highs after broad selling in banks and property while Thai stocks fell to three-week lows amid political concerns.

Singapore's index <.FTSTI> eased 0.6 percent, with DBS Group , Southeast Asia's biggest bank, sliding 2.4 percent, United Overseas Bank easing 1.6 percent and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp off 2.1 percent.

Malaysia <.KLSE> inched down 0.1 percent, with telecoms firm Maxis easing 2.3 percent while IOI Corp added 1 percent before it announced after the market close that its quarterly net profit jumped 65 percent.

NYMEX Crude Daily: Heavy top

Market momentum getting weaker and heavy top. Thus, market looks may extend its sideways to bias downside potential in near term. We maintain the immediate downside support at USD75.00 to USD73.00. To the upside, resistance is pegged at USD82.00

CBOT soyoil Daily:

Market tested the upside resistance at USc40.77 (high since 3/6/2009) but not manage to stay firm and resulted a long upper shadow candle printed. This has weaken a little the market upside move. Thus, more strength is still needed for a more sustainable upward move. As for now, we continue to look for the immediate upside resistance at USc40.77-41.15. Immediate downside support remains at USc39.00.

FCPO Daily: May challenge 2521 levels

The overall technical landscape looks bullish following prices gap up and surge to close off the intra-day high with printed a long white candle. Market looks may continue to challenge the recent high at 2521 (high since 13/8/2009). While, downside support is adjusted to 2428-2419 (gap left over on 23/11/2009).

Breaking News-RTRS-China to suspend weekly state corn, soy sales

BEIJING, Nov 23 (Reuters) - China will suspend weekly auctions of state corn and soybean reserves from next month to support domestic prices amid increased supplies from new harvests.
Weekly auctions of corn and soybeans from warehouses in four provinces in the northeast would be suspended from Dec. 1, according to a notice posted on the website of the National Grain & Oil Trade Center (www.grainmarket.com.cn).

Breaking News-RTRS-China Dec soy imports seen at 2.95 mln T -Mofcom

BEIJING, Nov 23 (Reuters) - China's Commerce Ministry has revised slightly upwards its estimate for the country's November soy imports to 2.86 million tonnes, while it put December imports initially at 2.95 million tonnes.
Both figures were higher than October imports at 2.52 million tonnes, but lower than traders' estimates between 3 million tonnes to 3.5 million tonnes for November and 4 million tonnes for December.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Gold scaled a record high on a weak dollar and global stocks jumped on Monday after better-than-expected U.S. home sales data and rosy economic news in the euro zone bolstered appetite for riskier assets.

The dollar slid after a Federal Reserve official affirmed expectations that U.S. interest rates would stay low for some time and data showing that sales of previously owned U.S. home rose to a more than 2-1/2-year high dampened the currency's safe-haven appeal.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 132.71 points, or 1.29 percent, to 10,450.87. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 14.85 points, or 1.36 percent, to 1,106.23. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 29.97 points, or 1.40 percent, to 2,176.01.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 23 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended slightly higher on Monday in choppy trading, supported by the weak dollar and expectations for economic growth even as concerns about demand and high inventories helped limit oil's rise.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude edged up 9 cents, or 0.12 percent, to settle at $77.56 a barrel, trading from $77.15 to $79.92.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 4 cents at $10.42 a bushel. Retreated from 12-week high spot price as crude oil market pared its gains. Profit-taking and hedge-related selling as farmers try to lock in prices also added pressure. Earlier rally tied to robust export demand and dollar weakness.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December down 0.31 cent at 39.40 cents per lb. Backed off highs along with crude oil. Gaining versus soymeal on oil/meal spreading.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures jumped as much as 3.1 percent to a new 14-week high on Monday thanks to revived interest in commodity markets and fears that more rainy weather will curb output.

The benchmark February contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose by as much as 76 ringgit to 2,495 ringgit ($737.9) before settling at 2,486 ringgit a tonne.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Singapore's stock market climbed
to its highest in 15 months on Monday, pushed up by financials such as DBS and United Overseas Bank, while selling in big-cap banks and energy shares dragged Thailand down to two-week lows.

Singapore's index <.FTSTI> ended up 1.3 percent at its highest since Aug. 18, 2008, with DBS Group , Southeast Asia's biggest lender, rising 2.2 percent and second-ranked United Overseas Bank 1.8 percent higher.

Malaysia <.KLSE>, which will also close on Friday for a national holiday, eased 0.3 percent, with telecoms firm Axiata Group sliding 1 percent and gaming group Genting declining 1.1 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Global stocks slid and the U.S. dollar rose on Friday as investors cut their exposure to risky assets amid signs of an anemic U.S. economic recovery.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> closed down 14.28 points, or 0.14 percent, at 10,318.16. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 3.52 points, or 0.32 percent, at 1,091.38. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> slid 10.78 points, or 0.50 percent, at 2,146.04.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 20 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Friday, dragged down by a resurgent dollar and as equities dipped on economic recovery worries.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, December crude expired and settled down 74 cents, or 0.96 percent, at $76.72 a barrel, trading from $76.20 to $77.99.

For the week, front-month crude futures were up 37 cents, or 0.5 percent.
NYMEX January crude settled down 58 cents, or 0.74 percent, at $77.47 a barrel, trading from $76.76 to $78.61.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 7 cents at $10.46 a bushel. Strong demand from China pulled prices higher despite weak crude oil market and firm dollar.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December up 0.26 cent at 39.71 cents per lb. Unwinding of soymeal/soyoil spreads supported market even as crude oil prices fell.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose 2 percent on Friday to close at their highest in more than three months, underpinned by estimates of strong exports in the first 20 days of November, traders said.

The benchmark February contract Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 48 ringgit at 2,419 ringgit ($714.83) per tonne, a level not seen since Aug. 14.
Overall volume was at 13,093 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Singapore stocks edged slightly
higher on Friday as top bank DBS rose after an analyst's upgrade, and Indonesia climbed almost 1 percent, with lenders such as Bank Danamon and Bank Negara rising on an upbeat loan growth outlook.

The Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> ended up 0.1 percent, with DBS Group , Southeast Asia's biggest lender, up 1.8 percent at S$14.86. RBS upgraded its recommendation on the stock to "buy" from "hold" and raised its target price to S$18.

Elsewhere, Malaysia <.KLSE> inched down 0.2 percent, with palm plantation firm KL Kepong down 2.3 percent, while Maybank rose 0.14 percent after Citigroup initiated coverage of Malaysian banks with Maybank as its top pick.