Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 25 (Reuters) - In the lightest volume session of the year, U.S. stocks fell on Monday after a lowered outlook from Kimberly-Clark increased concerns about higher commodity costs squeezing profits in coming quarters.

About 5.4 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, below the daily average of 7.74 billion.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 26.11 points, or 0.21 percent, to end at 12,479.88. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> shed 2.13 points, or 0.16 percent, to 1,335.25. But the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 5.72 points, or 0.20 percent, to close at 2,825.88.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 25 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures steadied in late trading on Monday, having tracked silver, which rose to near a 1980 record high before dipping, with early upside push coming from unrest in the Middle East and Nigeria.

Inflation worries also emerged, with the dollar down earlier against a basket of currencies. <.DXY> Trading volume was light at 315,472 lots, 49 percent below the 30-day average, which would be the lowest since Dec. 29.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, June crude settled at $112.28 a barrel, a cent below its close on Thursday. In the morning, it hit $113.48, highest for front month crude since Sept. 22, 2008's intraday high of $130.00.

CBOT-CBOT soybean futures ended higher after trading on either
side of unchanged in thin action, traders said.

Prices, which hit a two-week high of $13.91-1/4 during the session, were boosted by higher U.S. corn and wheat prices, but follow-through buying was limited during much of the session. Market participants also eyed the dollar, which was slightly higher and in a narrow range.

FCPO-JAKARTA, April 25 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rose to a near two-week high before reversing gains to end down on Monday, as lower than expected export data offset rising crude prices.

Benchmark July crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed at 3,360 ringgit($1,118) a tonne. Earlier, prices touched a high at 3,384 ringgit, a peak not seen since April 12. Trading volumes were light, with 8,027lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to a total at 13,829 lots on Friday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 25 (Reuters) - Major Southeast Asian stock markets were flat to lower on Monday, led by regional big-caps in cautious trading ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's meeting this week.

Investors appeared wary of increasing exposures in risky assets. Turnover in Malaysia dropped to one-third of the 30-day average, with volume of Thailand and Indonesia each around 0.8 times the average.

Southeast Asia reported further foreign inflows on Monday, continuing from late last week. Indonesia took in $25.2 million inflows, according to Thomson Reuters data. Malaysia added $12.3 million and Thailand gained $25.7 million, exchange data showed.

Among losers, Singapore shopping mall owner CapitaMalls Asia fell 2.7 percent after it reported worse-than-expected quarterly earnings.

Breaking News-RTRS - Indonesia to cut May palm oil, cocoa export tax -govt official

JAKARTA, April 21 (Reuters) - Indonesia will cut its palm oil export tax for May to 17.5 percent from 22.5 percent and reduce its cocoa bean export tax to 10 percent from 15 percent, a government official said on Thursday.
The palm oil tax aims to ensure domestic requirements are met in Southeast Asia's biggest economy and to reduce volatility in local cooking oil prices.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks posted their first positive week in three as more healthy earnings news lifted Wall Street on Thursday, though gains were limited with another 180 S&P names due to report next week.

Apple's blowout results and strong reports from a number of industrials kept sentiment on the bullish side, after investors were on guard for disappointments headed into this week.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 52.45 points, or 0.42 percent, at 12,505.99. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 7.02 points, or 0.53 percent, at 1,337.38. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 17.65 points, or 0.63 percent, at 2,820.16.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended higher for the third straight day on Thursday as a weaker dollar attracted more buying from investors.

Crude oil also rose on a spate of short-covering ahead of the Easter weekend, amid fighting in Libya and ongoing unrest in the Middle East.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for June delivery settled at $112.29, up 84 cents, or 0.75 percent, trading from $111 to $112.48. For the week, front-month crude gained $2.63, or 2.4 percent, after a $3.13 or 2.78 percent loss the week before. Prices have risen in four of the last five weeks.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 21 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures ended higher on Thursday, with the spot contract up nearly 2 percent on the day and up almost 4 percent on the week, buoyed by the unwinding of long corn/short soybean spreads, fund buying and a soft U.S. dollar, traders said.

Positioning ahead of the three-day holiday weekend and the expiration of May grain and soybean options also underpinned prices, they said.

Soy futures hovered near the $13.80 options strike, although the May options had just 4,670 open positions at the level as of Wednesday's close. Larger open interest was evident at the $14 strike with 10,115 open options positions.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil slipped on Thursday after top producer Indonesia cut its export tax for next month, potentially attracting orders away from Malaysia.

Palm oil exports from Malaysia, the No.2 supplier, have lagged since December, when higher prices in the first quarter discouraged purchases. Further declines in exports as output recovers could boost stocks and pressure prices.

Benchmark July crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 0.1 percent to settle at 3,312 ringgit ($1,098) a tonne.

The July contract on Wednesday hit a one-week high of 3,336 ringgit -- a level unseen since April 14.

Technicals are positive. Reuters analysis shows palm oil will rise to 3,362 ringgit per tonne, based on its wave pattern a Fibonacci retracement analysis.

Trading volumes were light, with 20,020 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 25,000 lots, as refiners waited on the sidelines due to the stronger ringgit currency that will cut into margins.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 21 (Reuters) - Most major Southeast Asian stock markets edged higher on Thursday with a global oil price surge boosting appetite for resource shares, although gains were offset by investors cashing in recent climbers ahead of market holidays.

Market players generally turned cautious as several Asian bourses will be shut on Friday for Good Friday and Easter, including Hong Kong <.HSI>, Singapore <.FTSTI>, Indonesia <.JKSE> and the Philippines <.PSI>.

Malaysia gained $35 million inflows on Thursday, adding to the $55 million inflows of the previous session and Thai stocks took in $87 million on top of the $141 million of inflows for the past three sessions, the exchange said.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 20 (Reuters) - Big earnings surprises gave a positive turn to investor sentiment on Wednesday, propelling U.S. stocks to their best day in a month and lifting the Dow industrials to their highest in almost three years.

Investors had been set up for a series of disappointments but got an unexpected treat from blue chips Intel Corp and United Technologies Corp , sparking a broad-based rally that puts equities on the path for more gains in coming weeks.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 186.79 points, or 1.52 percent, to 12,453.54. The Standard & Poor's 500 <.SPX> rose 17.74 points, or 1.35 percent, to 1,330.36. The Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> added 57.54 points, or 2.10 percent, to2,802.51.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 20 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures jumped 2.9 percent on Wednesday on lift from government data showing sharp drops in crude and refined products stockpiles, an equities rally and a weaker dollar.

U.S. crude oil inventories fell 2.3 million barrels last week, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's weekly report. Gasoline stocks fell 1.58 million barrels and distillate inventories fell 2.5 million barrels, the EIA said.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, June crude rose $3.17, or 2.93 percent to settle at $111.45 a barrel, trading from $107.96 to $111.66.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 20 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures ended higher on Wednesday, holding early gains as crude oil stayed firm and the U.S. dollar weakened, which allowed soy to shrug off losses in corn, traders said.

Cash traders said bids for corn and soybeans shipped by barge to the U.S. Gulf Coast were mostly steady to weaker early Wednesday, pressured by higher futures and lackluster demand, traders said.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures hit one-week highs on Wednesday as traders booked positions on firmer overseas markets, despite key exports data showing weakening demand.

The weak exports data comes at a time when Malaysia -- the world's No. 2 palm oil producer -- is seeing higher production and a stock buildup due to favourable weather, pressuring prices to a more than three-week low in the previous day.

Cargo surveyor Intertek Testing Services and Societe Generale de Surveillance on Wednesday said exports of Malaysian palm oil products for April 1 to 20 fell from a month ago, with ITS pegging the drop at 15 percent and SGS at 13 percent.

Benchmark July crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose 1.8percent to settle at 3,315 ringgit($1,096.049) a tonne after touching a one-week high of 3,336 ringgit -- a level unseen since April 14. Overall traded volume was 26,779 lots of 25 tonnes each, lower than the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO , April 20 (Reuters) - Southeast Asia's stock markets all rose on Wednesday, with foreign investors snapping up risky assets after some higher-than-expected quarterly earnings and Indonesia scaling a record high on large trading volume.

Jakarta <.JKSE> jumped 1.7 percent to hit a record high of 3,794.76 points, surpassing its previous mark set on Jan 6 with a net foreign inflow of $44.6 million. The day's volume was 1.85 times its 30-day daily average, Thomson Reuters data showed.

Singapore <.FTSTI> added 1.3 percent, helped by banks, with a 1.1 percent rise in top lender DBS and 0.8 percent gain in Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. .

Malaysia <.KLSE> gained 0.6 percent with a $55.7 million foreign inflow, its bourse data showed, while Philippines added 0.7 percent to hit a more than five-month high.

Breaking News - RTRS-Oil World ups Indonesia palm oil output forecast

HAMBURG, April 19 (Reuters) - Indonesia, the world's top palm oil exporter, will produce 23.8 million tonnes in 2011 versus 22.0 million tonnes last year, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World forecast on Tuesday.
The forecast is 100,000 tonnes higher than Oil World's previous estimate though below the 25.0 million forecast by industry analyst Dorab Mistry.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 19 (Reuters) - Encouraging results from health care and materials companies lifted U.S. stocks on Tuesday, but weak earnings from Goldman Sachs limited gains in a market skeptical of the growth outlook.

Investors were reluctant to make big bets as the market readied for a spate of high-profile earnings. Volume was extremely low, with 6.65 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, below last year's daily average of 8.47 billion

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 65.16 points, or 0.53 percent, to 12,266.75 at the close. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 7.48 points, or 0.57 percent, to 1,312.62. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> advanced 9.59 points, or 0.35 percent, to 2,744.97.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell on Monday, snapping three days of gains, as Standard & Poor's revised to negative its long-term credit outlook for the United States and Saudi Arabia trimmed output, citing oversupply and weak demand for its crude.

OPEC ministers meeting in Kuwait said costly oil could weigh heavily on consumer countries, seen as reflecting their belief that fuel demand has weakened.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude settled at $107.12 a barrel, down $2.54, or 2,32 percent. It traded from $106.54 to $109.44.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 19 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures ended lower on Tuesday, pressured by news that China was canceling orders for soy cargoes due to poor crush margins. although a firm tone in corn and crude oil helped limit losses, traders said.

China confirmed the cancellation of six to eight South American soy cargoes and the deferral of about 20 shipments as crushers take losses, partly due to Beijing's expected release of a large volume of state soy reserves at lower prices to tame food inflation.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures ended off three-week lows on Tuesday on short-covering although lingering worries over slower overseas demand due to large soybean crop harvest in South America continued to weigh.

The benchmark July crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose 0.3 percent to 3,255 ringgit ($1,076.567) per tonne. It earlier hit its lowest level since March 24 of 3,212 ringgit. Traded volumes stood at 25,047 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO , April 19 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets lost ground on Tuesday after ratings-agency Standard & Poor's downgraded the U.S. credit outlook to negative, but Thailand and Indonesia bucked the trend as some investors scouted for emerging-market bargains.

Singapore <.FTSTI> ended down 0.6 percent at its lowest close since April 1. The Philippines <.PSI> shed 0.6 percent; Malaysia <.KLSE> fell 0.4 percent to a three-week low, led by financials with volume slumping to 0.85 times its 30-day average, while Vietnam <.VNI> fell 0.4 percent. Singapore Exchange , which posted a 10.2 percent drop in quarterly net profit, fell 1.6 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. stock indexes fell more than 1 percent in heavy volume on Monday after Standard & Poor's downgraded the credit outlook of the United States, adding to worries about the global economy after China moved to curb liquidity.

Investors also focused on Greece, where financial markets are increasingly convinced the country will have to renegotiate the terms of its public debt. Greek officials denied that some form of debt rescheduling was imminent.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 147.35 points, or 1.19 percent, at 12,194.48 The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 14.65 points, or 1.11 percent, at 1,305.03. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 32.34 points, or 1.17 percent, at 2,732.31.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell on Monday, snapping three days of gains, as Standard & Poor's revised to negative its long-term credit outlook for the United States and Saudi Arabia trimmed output, citing oversupply and weak demand for its crude.

OPEC ministers meeting in Kuwait said costly oil could weigh heavily on consumer countries, seen as reflecting their belief that fuel demand has weakened.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude settled at $107.12 a barrel, down $2.54, or 2,32 percent. It traded from $106.54 to $109.44.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures ended higher on Monday, gaining ground along with corn and wheat rallies in relatively thin trading, traders said.

Gains in U.S. corn and wheat futures offset selling pressure led by sharply lower crude oil futures and weak equities markets.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rose 0.4 percent on Monday on hopes that buyers will switch away from more expensive rival soybean oil.

Palm oil, at a discount of more than $180 to soyoil, may
attract demand from price-sensitive China and India, the world's top two buyers ofthe vegetable oil.

The benchmark July crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose 13 ringgit to 3,246 ringgit($1,073) per tonne. Overall traded volume stood at 19,154 lots of 25 tonnes each, below the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO , April 18 (Reuters) - Thailand stocks gained on Monday to a more than 15-year closing high on better quarterly earnings hopes, but other Southeast Asian markets closed mixed, squeezed by a rise in Chinese reserve requirements the previous day.

Volumes were thin as investors stayed on the sidelines amid growing concern over further monetary policy tightening to counter rising inflation after China on Sunday raised banks' required reserves for the fourth time this year.

Thailand <.SETI>, the region's best performer this year with a 5.6 percent gain, added 0.5 percent to its highest close since September 1996, the Philippines <.PSI> gained 0.4 percent to its highest in more-than five months, and Malaysia <.KLSE> added 0.4 percent.

Singapore <.FTSTI> lost 0.3 percent, Indonesia <.JKSE> closed 0.1 percent weaker, and Vietnam <.VNI> shed 1.2 percent to a more than six-week closing low.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - Encouraging economic indicators sent U.S. stocks higher on Friday, but the market's recent struggles are set to continue into next week when more than one-fifth of S&P 500 companies report results.

The S&P 500 fell for a second straight week, and some in the market pointed to strong resistance building around 1,340. The daily chart shows a bearish double top near that level.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 56.68 points, or 0.46 percent, to 12,341.83. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 5.16 points, or 0.39 percent, to 1,319.68. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 4.43 points, or 0.16 percent, to 2,764.65.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures rose more than 1 percent on Friday, ending above $109 a barrel on lift from news that consumer sentiment rose more than expected in April, supportive manufacturing data and China's continuing, if slightly lower, economic growth rate. But the late-week rally still left crude with a weekly loss.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude rose $1.55, or 1.43 percent to settle at $109.66 a barrel, having traded from $107.21 to $110.10. The May contract expires on Tuesday.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 15 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures ended barely higher on Friday, but down about 4.4 percent on the week, with late-action on Friday led by soymeal's gain following new-crop corn and firm bids in cash. Soyoil also was up along with crude oil, traders said.

Grain prices were roiled early by a fresh recommendation from Goldman Sachs, which advised underweighting commodities for three to six months.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell to a two-week low on Friday, racking up a fourth straight day of losses as signs of weaker demand and declining vegetable oil markets sapped sentiment at a time when output is swelling.

The market has been weighed down for much of the week by a build-up in Malaysian inventories, soaring production and fears that commodity markets will soon reverse gains.

June palm oil on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled down 1.4 percent at 3,236 ringgit ($1,070) a tonne after falling as low as 3,232 ringgit per tonne, a level unseen since March 29. Traded volume stood at 23,000 lots of 25 tonnes each compared to the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO , April 14 (Reuters) - Indonesian stocks rose on Friday, led by financials, while worries about further policy tightening in China weighed on shares in Singapore and North Asia.

Indonesia's main benchmark index <.JKSE> ended 0.6 percent, buoyed by a spate of late buying and $9.3 million of net foreign inflows.

Banks were among the top blue-chip gains, with the country's top lender Bank Mandiri and Bank Central Asia , rising 1.5 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively.

However, further policy tightening by China's central bank could pressure emerging markets in Southeast Asia and riskier assets in general if investors feel it will slow China's insatiable demand for raw materials and other goods.

China reported on Friday that inflation leapt to a 32-month high, putting pressure on policymakers to do more to rein in prices.

So far, most tightening measures have sparked an immediate but brief sell-off in regional or global equity and commodity markets, but they have recouped the losses fairly quickly.

Singapore Strait Times Index (STI) <.FTSTI> fell 0.2 percent. Malaysia <.KLSE>, which saw a foreign outflow of $18.7 million, closed 0.3 percent weaker to a more than two-week weaker with a day's volume recording 0.93 percent of its 30-day average.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 14 (Reuters) - Stocks that outperform in a weak economy helped the Dow and S&P 500 eke out gains on Thursday as concerns about faltering growth and inflation prompted investors to seek out less volatile names.

The Dow industrials' top percentage gainers were Coca-Cola Co , up 1.5 percent, Kraft Foods Inc , up 1.7 percent and Merck & Co , up 1.2 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 14.16 points, or 0.12 percent, to end at 12,285.15. The Standard & Poor's 500 <.SPX> gained 0.11 of a point, or 0.01 percent, to 1,314.52. The Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> dropped 1.30 points, or 0.05 percent, to 2,760.22.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended higher on Thursday on lift from a weaker dollar that helped crude reverse early losses prompted by concerns that high prices would erode demand.

The dollar gave up its early strength after a government report showing initial jobless claims rose last week.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude rose $1, or 0.93 percent to settle at $108.11 a barrel, trading from $105.77 to $108.55.


CBOT-CHICAGO, April 14 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures ended slightly lower on Thursday. but above earlier session lows, withmeal closing higher on support from new-crop corn gains, traders said.

Wet weather in U.S. corn-producing regions is slowing plantings and threatening 2011 corn production, the traders said.

A rally in crude oil prices also underpinned soy, they said. Earlier on Thursday, soy was pressured by weaker-the-expected export sales, which prompted some holders of long positions to liquidate.

FCPO-JAKARTA, April 14 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil notched a third-straight day of declines on Thursday as comparative oil prices such as soybean and crude weighed and investors eyed export data due later this week.

The benchmark June crude palm oil contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives exchange ended at a two-week low at 3,282 Malaysian ringgit ($1,085) a tonne. Traded volume on the June contract was 18,949 lots of 25 tonnes each, versus Wednesday's total at 13,246 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO , April 14 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell in choppy trade on Thursday on fears that Beijing will tighten monetary policy further after reports that inflation in China accelerated more than expected in March.

March inflation accelerated to a 32-month high of 5.4 percent year-on-year, Hong Kong media said on Thursday, a day ahead of the official data release. Analaysts recently polled by Reuters had predicted it would quicken to 5.2 percent.

So far, most tightening measures have sparked an immediate but brief sell-off in regional or global equity markets, and they have recouped the losses fairly quickly.

Singapore <.FTSTI> lost 0.4 percent after its Monetary Authority tightened monetary policy slightly to fight against rising inflation, helping push the local currency to record highs, but declines were capped by strong first quarter economic growth.

Malaysia <.KLSE> closed 0.6 percent weaker at a two-weak closing low, but enjoyed a $25.2 million net foreign inflow, while Vietnam <.VNI> edged down 0.1 percent. Analysts also attributed some of the Singapore market's losses to a technical correction, noting the index had pushed into overbought territory in the previous session, but added that sentiment was still seen as bullish.

Breaking News-Asia oils-China buys more palm oil, discount to soyoil narrows

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Reuters) - China, the world's No.2 vegetable oil buyer, chased palm oil cargoes on Wednesday as traders switch over to the tropical oil during the warmer months and avoid soyoil imports on ample supply.
China's soyoil imports are falling as soybean from national reserves is set to be released into local markets to rein in prices.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 13 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks finished mostly flat in a choppy session on Wednesday, as investors bet on strong technology earnings even as JPMorgan Chase's numbers weighed on other market sectors.

Network equipment maker Riverbed Technology Inc boosted the industry and helped buoy the Nasdaq after its quarterly outlook. The stock surged 12.4 percent to $34.74 on four times the average daily volume over the last 50 days.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 7.41 points, or 0.06 percent, to 12,270.99. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> inched up 0.25 of a point, or 0.02 percent, to 1,314.41. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 16.73 points, or 0.61 percent, to 2,761.52.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 13 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended higher on Wednesday after diving nearly 6 percent in two days, led by gasoline gains fuelled by government inventory data showing the biggest drop in stocks since 1998.

U.S. gasoline stocks fell 7 million barrels last week as refiners lower capacity utilization 3 percentage points and emptied winter-grade gasoline inventories to make room for summer blends, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude rose 86 cents, or 0.81 percent, to settle at $107.11, trading from $105.31 to $107.43.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 13 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures ended slightly higher on Wednesday, bolstered by an upside correction following a broad-based sell-off in Tuesday following a recommendation by Goldman Sachs to book profits, traders said.

Given projection for relatively tight stocks in soybeans as well as corn, higher soybean prices were needed to effectively "buy" acreage from corn as grains move into the planting season, traders said.

FCPO-JAKARTA, April 13 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil hit a two week trough before paring losses late on Wednesday, with sentiment driven by comparative vegetable oils and crude prices, as market players braced themselves for further weakness due to a higher production cycle.

The benchmark June crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed at 3,348 Malaysian ringgit ($1,105) a tonne, after earlier falling 2.1 percent to a low of 3,302 ringgit.

Traded volume on the June contract was 13,246 lots of 25 tonnes each, versus Tuesday's near three-week high total at 21,496 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO , April 13 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets gained in thin volume on Wednesday, led by Singapore, which rose over 1 percent as transport shares advanced and on strong economic growth expectations ahead of a central bank policy meeting.

Investors looked for fresh opportunities in risky assets in emerging markets, a day after crude oil prices dropped over 3 percent, but most of them waited for further direction from upcoming company earnings reports.

Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) <.FTSTI> rose 1.1 percent, its biggest gain in a day since March 30, but the day's volume was 0.83 times of its 30-day average volume.

Singapore central bank will also announce the results of its latest policy review on Thursday. Economists expect it to tighten policy further to curb imported inflation, allowing the Singapore dollar to continue to appreciate. Such a move could draw further inflows into Singaporean assets.

The pullback in oil prices gave some relief to transportation stocks in Singapore, though fuel prices remain well above their levels at the end of last year.

Singapore Airlines , the world's second most valuable carrier by market capitalisation, jumped 4.9 percent and the world's sixth largest container shipping firm Neptune Orient Lines gained 3.1 percent on hopes of benefiting from the declining crude oil prices.

In Kuala Lumpur, petrochemical producer Petronas Chemicals Group gained 4.4percent after a sharp drop in the previous day due to the fall in global oil prices.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 11 (Reuters) - Stocks mostly fell on Monday as energy shares sold off on lower oil prices and the onset of earnings season was clouded by concern company outlooks may fall short of expectations.

Worries that increased raw material costs and the effects from Japan's earthquake may affect coming quarters will put companies' forward-looking statements under increased scrutiny.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 1.06 points, or 0.01 percent, at 12,381.11. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 3.71 points, or 0.28 percent, at 1,324.46. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 8.91 points, or 0.32 percent, at 2,771.51.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 11 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell on Monday in a selloff triggered by a Goldman Sachs note to clients that they take profits after an extended rally.

Worries that high oil prices could reduce demand and stunt the economic recovery also spurred caution and sparked some liquidations, traders said.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for May delivery settled at $109.92a barrel, down $2.87 or 2.54 percent. It traded from $109.55 to $113.46, which was the highest since intraday prices hit $113.46 on Sept. 22, 2008.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 11 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures ended nearly 2 percent lower on Friday, under pressure from China export concerns and expectations for a bumper crop of soybeans in South America, traders said.

Earlier on Monday, an official with China's state-owned trading house COFCO Co Ltd said China is is likely to cancel or defer some cargoes because of poor crushing margins.

In addition, the Chinese company revised down China's soy imports in 2010/11 to between 53 million and 54 million tonnes, down from an earlier estimate of 54.5 million tonnes,

FCPO-JAKARTA, April 11 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures ended off a three-week high on Monday as higher than expected stocks erased earlier gains driven by competing vegetable oil markets and crude oil.

March palm oil stocks in Malaysia rose to a three-month high on production surging nearly 30 percent. The higher production comes as the South American soy crop get harvested, crushed and channeled into vegetable oil markets.

The benchmark June crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives settled up 0.5 percent, or 18 ringgit, at 3,417 ringgit ($1,131). It earlier went as high as 3,454 ringgit -- a level unseen since March 21. Overall traded volume was at 27,224 lots of 25 tonnes each, higher than the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 11 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Monday as investors took profits in big-caps and financials while resource shares reversed early gains as global oil prices eased.

Market volume was generally weak, with turnover of most of the bourses falling below a 30-day average. Risk-averse sentiment was compounded by news of another strong earthquake that shook buildings in Tokyo and parts of eastern Japan late on Monday.

The emerging Southeast Asian bourses underperformed most others in Asia on Monday, with the MSCI index of Singapore <.MISG00000PSG> off nearly 1 percent and the MSCI index of Thailand <.MITH00000PTHM> around 0.9 percent lower by 0938 GMT.

The MSCI Emerging index <.MSCIEF> edged down 0.3 percent and Asia stocks outside Japan <.MIAPJ0000PUS> were down 0.2 percent.

The region's weaknesses came amid mixed fund flows. The Philippines drew in $13 million of foreign inflows on Monday, adding on $330 million over the past seven sessions, while Indonesia gained $26 million, Thomson Reuters data showed.

Malaysia reported small fund outflows of $3.2 million, after $450 million of inflows during the past 12 sessions. Thailand had an injection of $24 million on top of $1.22billion in the past 13 sessions, the exchange said.

In Singapore, upcoming first quarter corporate earnings are expected to be lacklustre, hurt by slowing growth in most developed economies. Profit taking also hit oil-related sectors.

Oil rig builder Keppel Corp fell 1.7 percent on Monday while Sembcorp Marine dipped 0.8 percent. Among the region's losers, Indonesia's second-biggest lender Bank Rakyat Indonesia dropped 2.4 percent, climbing to an intraday record at one point, and Malaysian top lender Maybank off 0.1percent, erasing some of 2 percent rise to five-month highs last week.

In Singapore, Aztech Group , an electronics, materials supply and marine logistics company, fell 5.4 percent after it said it will record a loss for its first quarter, compared with a profit a year earlier.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 8 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell late on Friday as a spike in oil prices revived worries that inflation would derail the recovery, jolting a market that had been treading water ahead of corporate earnings.

The uncertain outcome of budget talks in Washington and the prospect of a U.S. government shutdown as a midnight deadline loomed spurred investors to buy protection ahead of the weekend. Many traders bought short-term put options on the SPDR S&P 500 Trust .

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 29.59 points, or 0.24 percent, at 12,379.90. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 5.36 points, or 0.40 percent, at 1,328.15. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 15.73 points, or 0.56 percent, at 2,780.41.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 8 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended at their highest level in 30 months on Friday, rising for the sixth day in seven and pushing gains to a third week, as a decline in the dollar spurred a broad rally in commodities.

The dollar was weighed dowm by a potential government shutdown which analysts said could hinder economic recovery, and by expectations that interest-rate differentials will widen further in Europe's favor.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude futures for May delivery settled at $112.79 a barrel, the highest price since Sept. 22, 2008, when front-month prices closed at $120.92. It traded from $110.11 to $112.86.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 8 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures ended nearly flat on the week but more than 2 percent higher on Friday, rallying on the unwinding of long corn/short soybean spreads as well as near-term bullish technical signals, traders said.

May soybeans edged past minor resistance in the May contracts around $13.93, with the next upside target seen between $14.09 and $14.10.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures hit more than two-week highs on Friday as higher prices of competing crude oil and soyoil markets may kick in more fuel and food demand for the tropical oil.

Traders are expecting Malaysian palm oil exports for the first ten days of April to rise about 7 percent to above 380,000 tonnes from a month ago. Higher demand comes at time when palm oil supplies are rising in Malaysia.

The benchmark June crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives settled up 2.1 percent or 71 ringgit to 3,399 ringgit ($1,122) per tonne, after going as high as 3,400 ringgit -- a level unseen since March 22. Overall traded volume more than doubled to 32,390 lots of 25 tonnes each, above the usual 15,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 8 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets eked out small gains in moderate volume on Friday, with high oil prices boosting appetite for resource shares and cautious investors chasing overbought equities.

The region has started to see some profit taking following a spell of foreign inflows into Asia in the wake of renewed dollar weakness and strong regional currencies, including those of Southeast Asia.

Turnover for most sharemarkets was around their 30-day averages, including Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. Most bourses fared worse on the week, with Malaysia at just 0.14 percent and Indonesia at 0.9 percent.

Singapore's Keppel Corp , the world's largest oil rig builder, gained 0.3 percent and Philippine energy producer Aboitiz Power Corp advanced 1.3 percent.

Banks, among rallying shares this week, eased off. Thai fourth largest lender Siam Commercial Bank dropped 1.3 percent, climbing to a 14-year high at one point, and Malaysia's AMMB Holdings lost 1.4 percent, coming off two-month highs.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, April 7 (Reuters) - Wall Street slipped on Thursday after a major aftershock in Japan reignited fears about its nuclear power crisis, but greater faith in the U.S. economy's steady path held losses in check.

A rise in retail stocks after better-than-expected March chain-store sales limited broader market declines as the data added to evidence of a sustained economic recovery.

Investors sought protection against further market declines following the magnitude 7.4 aftershock in Japan, but a move to safer assets did not materialize.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 17.26 points, or 0.14 percent, at 12,409.49. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 2.03 points, or 0.15 percent, at 1,333.51. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 3.68 points, or 0.13 percent, at 2,796.14.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 7 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rose sharply and pushed above $110 a barrel on Thursday for the first time since 2008 amid uncertainties about supply in Libya, the Middle East and Nigeria and help from supportive economic data.

A drop in jobless claims in the United States and stronger -than-expected retail sales in March also buoyed crude.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude rose $1.47, or 1.35 percent to settle at $110.30 a barrel, the highest settlement since Sept. 22, 2008, when front-month contract prices ended at $120.92. Thursday's trading ranged from from $108.23 to $110.44.

CBOT-CHICAGO, April 7 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures unofficially closed lower on Thursday, falling to their lowest level in more than a week as traders adjusted positions ahead of the U.S. Agriculture Department's monthly supply and demand report.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia palm oil futures fell 1.6 percent on Thursday as traders keep their focus on higher March production of the tropical although some market players point to improving demand this month.

A Reuters survey showed plantations are looking at Malaysian palm oil stocks hitting a 3-month high in March and double-digit production growth as yields recover after two years of lacklustre growth.

The benchmark June crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed 54 ringgit lower to 3,322 ringgit($1,098) per tonne. Overall traded volume stood at 24,305 lots of 25 tonnes each from the usual 15,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 7 (Reuters) - Major Southeast Asian stock markets posted limited gains on Thursday, with continued appetite for risk assets putting big caps in focus and a strong oil market bolstering demand for energy stocks.

The easing risk aversion sentiment, generally supported by earnings optimism for key sectors such as banks, helped keep most regional indexes at their multi-month highs amid only moderate trade volume on Thursday.

Malaysian banks gained, with Malayan Banking and CIMB Bank each up around 0.5 percent.

Fitch Ratings said the rating outlook of Malaysian banks was mostly stable, underpinned by favourable economic prospects and modest inflation risks in 2011.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, March 24 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks advanced on Thursday as optimism about upcoming earnings and investor buying of the quarter's top performers lifted the S&P 500 above a key technical level.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> added 84.54 points, or 0.70 percent, to end unofficially at 12,170.56. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 12.12 points, or 0.93 percent, to finish unofficially at 1,309.66. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 38.12 points, or 1.41 percent, to close unofficially at 2,736.42.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, March 24 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended little changed on Thursday, dipping 15 cents as investors took profits after the recent rally on supply worries caused by Libya's conflict and ongoing Middle East unrest.

Trade seesawed and total crude trading volumes remained light, well below the 30-day average.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, May crude fell 15 cents, or 0.14 percent, to settle at $105.60 a barrel, having traded from $104.76 to $106.69.

CBOT-CHICAGO, March 24 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures closed higher on Thursday, pulled up on leadership from wheat and corn, traders said.

Volume in CBOT soybeans was estimated at 161,000 contracts, down about 27 percent from its 30-day average, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Soymeal remained lower at the close amid sagging demand. Soyoil ended slightly higher, following soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Reuters) - Malaysia's crude palm oil futures ended off a four-month low on Thursday although weak technicals and expectations of strong production continued to weigh.

Palm oil, which has lost around 15 percent so far this year, could decline further as the market is pricing in output recovery in Malaysia after two years of sluggish yields owing to erratic weather.

And weak exports are underscoring concerns that the global economic recovery may be faltering with quake-hit Japan's unfolding nuclear crisis and civil unrest in the Middle East.

Benchmark June palm oil on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell as much as 4.3 percent, or 143 ringgit to 3,163 ringgit ($1,045), a level unseen since Nov. 24, 2010, before settling higher at 3,270 ringgit. Overall trade volumes stood at 45,341 lots at 25 tonnes each, more than triple the usual 15,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, March 24 (Reuters) - Major Southeast Asian stock markets pushed higher on Thursday as demand for resource shares filtered through the region and investors picked banks amid strong loan growth outlook.

Optimism about emerging economies grew as well as a recovery in risk appetite. Turnover on the Thai stock market <.SETI> jumped almost two times its 30-day average and Indonesia <.JKSE> saw turnover rising above average.

Southeast Asia came under selling pressure last week amid fear over Japan's nuclear crisis but the region's bourses now hovers around multi-week highs, with Indonesia and Thailand hitting 10-week highs. Singapore <.FTSTI> and Malaysia <.KLSE> both moved around their highest in two weeks.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, March 23 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks advanced on Wednesday as materials shares rose, but rising commodities prices due to turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa could keep rallies modest.

The market's favored indicator of anxiety, the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index or VIX <.VIX>, shows investor worry over unsettled world situations has been tempered for the moment. But the lack of volume and moderate gains suggest optimism is limited in scope.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 67.39 points, or 0.56 percent, to 12,086.02. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 3.77 points, or 0.29 percent, to 1,297.54. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> climbed 14.43 points, or 0.54 percent, to 2,698.30.

CBOT-CHICAGO, March 23 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures closed lower on Wednesday, pressured by a final run of profit-taking just before the pit close, traders said.

Continued speculation about China's rumored purchase of corn was an ongoing drag on the market, they said. Volume was thin as soybeans logged their smallest trade
since Nov. 26, 2010. Soybean oil volume was the lowest since Oct. 26, 2010 and soymeal the lowest since Dec. 31, 2010.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil ended
almost flat on Wednesday with the market split between higher output prospects this month and firmer crude oil markets that rose on concerns over Middle East supply disruptions.

The benchmark June crude palm oil contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives shed 2 ringgit to settle at 3,306 ringgit ($1,091) a tonne after a session of choppy trading. Prices ranged between 3,301 and 3,367 ringgit.

Overall traded volume shot up to 26,032 lots of 25 tonnes each from the usual 15,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, March 23 (Reuters) - Southeast Asia's stock markets posted gains on Wednesday led by commodity and energy shares, with Thailand hitting a more than two-month closing high helped by buying in industrial and banking stocks.

But investors were still wary of uncertainty over the human and economic toll inflicted by Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis and possible oil price rises as a result of ongoing violence in Libya and turmoil in the Middle East.

Indonesia <.JKSE> gained 1.1 percent to a more than one-week high led by mining shares, Thailand <.SETI> rose 0.7 percent to a two month high on energy and banking stocks while Singapore <.FTSTI> was up 0.7 percent, its best since March 14.

Malaysia closed 0.2 percent firmer to its near two-week high and Philippines <.PSI> edged to its highest in a week.

Except in Singapore, traded share volume in all other markets was lower than their respective 30-day averages due to the impact of crises in Japan and the Arab world.

Analysts expect investors to buy back into risky assets when global factors are more favourable, with valuations of the regional markets becoming more attractive after a recent slump.

In Singapore, commodity firm Olam International gained 4.2 percent on positive outlook and attractive valuations following a recent correction in soft commodity prices.

Palm oil firm Golden Agri-Resources rose 3.8 percent on hopes that oil supply constraints due to Middle East tensions would boost demand for biofuels.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, March 22 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed down, snapping a three-day winning streak on Tuesday, even as investors adjusted to the insecurity created by events in Japan, the Middle East and North Africa. Volume was the lowest of 2011, based on preliminary data.

Based on the latest available figures, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> shed 17.98 points, or 0.15 percent, to end unofficially at 12,018.55. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dropped 4.61 points, or 0.36 percent, to finish unofficially at 1,293.77. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 8.22 points, or 0.31 percent, to close unofficially at 2,683.87.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, March 22 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rose a second straight day on Tuesday as tensions in the Middle East and Allied air strikes against targets in Libya stoked more concerns about supply disruptions.

Late short-covering ahead of the expiration of the April crude contract pushed prices up by more than $2 a barrel near the close.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, April crude expired and settled at $104 a barrel, gaining $1.67 or 1.63 percent, after trading from $101.43 to $104.54.

CBOT-CHICAGO, March 22 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures closed weak on Tuesday, pressured by a downturn in corn as rumors of a U.S. corn sale to China have not been confirmed. Soy also pressured by profit-taking following the big recovery bounce in the market late last week.

CBOT-SOYMEAL - May last unchanged at $366.40. Choppy trade and volume was thin.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May last down 0.06 cent per lb at 55.82. Spillover pressure from lower soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil tumbled 3.7 percent on Tuesday as investors unwound positions on expectations of higher production this month and a stronger ringgit currency hitting refining margins.

Output in Malaysia's key southern growing region, which accounts for 30 percent of national output, is set to strengthen in March on favourable growing weather, traders and planters said.

The higher output comes as the ringgit strengthens against the dollar, making crude palm oil used for refined products more expensive at time when orders have been slow.

The benchmark June 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives dropped as much as 129 ringgit, to 3,291 ringgit($1,085)a tonne. It later settled at 3,308 ringgit. Overall volumes stood at 25,617 lots of 25 tonnes each, much higher than the expected volumes of 15,000 lots at the close.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, March 22 (Reuters) - Singapore's stock market rose on Tuesday but others in the region were flat in light volume, with worries about oil prices and inflation deterring investors.

However, some were taking a more positive view on Japan's nuclear crisis and were prepared to buy back risky assets.

Singapore <.FTSTI> gained 0.6 percent to hit its highest close since March 14. The Philippines <.PSI> gained 0.3 percent but Malaysia <.KLSE> and Indonesia <.JKSE> barely moved.

Thailand <.SETI> fell 0.1 percent after touching a two-week high during the day, while Vietnam <.VNI> fell 0.7 percent.

Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur suffered net foreign outflows of $26 and $11.7 million respectively on the day.

In Singapore, Sembcorp Marine, the world's second-largest oil rig builder, rose 3.3 percent after it said it won an order worth $450 million to build a jack-up rig.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, March 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday as the biggest proposed merger of the year enticed buyers into the market, though crises in Japan and the Middle East and North Africa assured continued market volatility.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> jumped 178.01 points, or 1.50 percent, at 12,036.53. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 19.15 points, or 1.50 percent, at 1,298.35. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> advanced 48.42 points, or 1.83 percent, at 2,692.09.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, March 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended up more than 1 percent on Monday as U.N.-mandated air strikes in Libya and growing unrest in the Middle East sparked more worries about supply disruptions.

Libyan rebels, emboldened by support through the air strikes, said they aimed to capture Tripoli, and force out Muammar Gaddafi.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for April delivery settled at $102.33 a barrel, gaining $1.26, or 1.25 percent. It traded on thin volume from $101.66 to $103.35.

CBOT-CHICAGO, March 21 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybeans last traded higher on Monday in tandem with gains in corn, with new-crop November rising nearly 1percent.

CBOT-SOYMEAL - May last trades down $1.70 at $366.20 per ton. Support from soybeans.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May last trades up 0.09 cent at 55.86 cents per lb.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Reuters) - Malaysia's palm oil futures hit a ten-day high on Monday as traders hunted for bargains after a temporary easing of the nuclear crisis in quake-hit Japan.

But gains were limited by lower Malaysian export data for the first 20 days of March, underscoring fears that global economy will still slow with this month's earthquake and tsunami hitting the world's No.3 economy.

The benchmark June 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose as much as 1.2 percent to 3,489 ringgit ($1,143) a tonne, a level unseen since March 11. By midday the contract stood at 3,457 ringgit. Overall volume stood at 7,492 lots at 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, March 21 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Monday as worries about Japan's nuclear problems eased a little, but volume was thin as investors remained concerned about oil prices after Western powers launched air strikes on Libya.

Investors bought shares in what were seen by some as oversold markets in the region, driving the Thai SET index <.SETI> and Singapore <.FTSTI> to a one-week high.

Singapore <.FTSTI> gained 1.6 percent, as did Vietnam <.VNI>, Indonesia <.JKSE> rose 0.7 percent, Malaysia <.KLSE> closed 0.3 percent firmer and the Philippines edged up 0.1 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, March 18 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rallied on Friday after a week of volatility, but light trading volume suggested investors are still reluctant to make big bets due to turmoil in the Middle East and Japan's nuclear crisis.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 83.93 points, or 0.71 percent, at 11,858.52, according to the latest available figures. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 5.49 points, or 0.43 percent, at 1,279.21. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 7.62 points, or 0.29 percent, at 2,643.67.

For the week, the Dow was down 1.5 percent, the S&P fell 1.9 percent and the Nasdaq lost 2.6 percent.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, March 18 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell on Friday after Libya declared a ceasefire to comply with a United Nations resolution authorizing a no-fly zone and other military action to protect civilians.

Losses were trimmed near the close after U.S. President Barack Obama warned Muammar Gaddafi that military action will ensue if Libya did not obey the U.N. demands.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for April delivery settled at $101.07 a barrel, down 35 cents. For the week, it dipped 9 cents, declining for two straight weeks.

CBOT-CHICAGO, March 18 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soy ended 2 percent higher on the day, last up 27-1/4 cents at $13.62-1/2 on bullish technicals and prospects for a strike in Argentina among trucking and other transportation workers on Monday amid the harvest season, traders said.

Soybeans also found support from a lower forecast for soy acreage by private forecaster Informa Economics. Nearby soy futures ended 3.7 pct higher on the week.

FCPO-JAKARTA, March 18 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rose more than 3 percent on Friday, as physical buying and investor fears eased over the impact of the nuclear crisis in quake-hit Japan.

The benchmark May 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed up 3.2 percent at 3,446 Malaysian ringgit ($1,128) a tonne, off an earlier high of 3,450 ringgit.

Volatile prices of the vegetable oil, used in products such as food, cosmetics, tyres and biofuels, hit a near four-month low of 3,250 on Tuesday but have gained more than 2 percent this week.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, March 18 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets posted small gains on Friday at the end of a volatile week dominated by Japan's nuclear crisis, with shares in the region's refineries in demand after some Japanese plants closed.

Market players traded cautiously on Friday, with unrest in the Middle East adding to the risks to global economic growth, and turnover in most markets was low. In the Thai market it was just 70 percent of the average of the past 30 days.

Singapore's Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> ended down 0.2 percent, after climbing almost 1 percent at one point, led by financials, with Overseas Chinese Banking Corp down 0.2 percent.

Most Southeast Asian stock markets performed worse than last week, led by Vietnam's 6.9 percent drop, followed by Singapore's 3.5 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, March 17 (Reuters) - Wall Street rebounded after three days of declines on Thursday, but the advance could be temporary as concerns about Japan's nuclear crisis persisted.

The S&P 500 <.SPX> recovered after giving up the year's gains on Wednesday, but options activity showed traders are increasing hedges against another decline in stocks. The Dow Jones Transport average <.DJT> gained 1.4 percent.

A total of about 1.16 million option contracts traded in the S&P 500 as puts outpaced calls by a ratio of 2.15, above its recent daily ratio of 1.93, according to options analytics firm Trade Alert.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, March 17 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rose 3.5 percent on Thursday as tensions escalated between Libya and foreign governments trying to forge a response and as Middle East unrest continued.

Total U.S. crude trading volume was light at 535,309 lots, the lowest since Jan. 3.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, April crude rose $3.44, or 3.51 percent, to settle at $101.42 a barrel, trading from $96.60 to $101.99.

CBOT-CHICAGO, March 17 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade May soybeans ended up 3.75 percent on the day, lifted by technically based buying and leadership from corn, traders said. In addition, funds bought and estimated 10,000 soybean contracts, as well as 4,000 soymeal and 6,000 soyoil futures.

FCPO-JAKARTA, March 17 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures dipped as much as 1 percent on Thursday, as persistent uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of the devastating Japanese earthquake and tsunami weighed on prices.

The benchmark May 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed at 3,338 Malaysian ringgit ($1,094) a tonne, down 0.27 percent after earlier touching a low of 3,305 ringgit.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, March 17 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets pulled lower in light volume on Thursday as investors sold across the board in response to Japan's worsening nuclear crisis.

Unrest in the Middle East and weak U.S. housing data added to worries about the global economy after the earthquake that hit Japan last week, damaging a nuclear power plant in Fukushima, north of Tokyo.

Turnover in most of the region's markets fell below the 30-day average, with Malaysia and Thailand trading at just two-thirds of their average .

Indexes in Singapore <.FTSTI>, Malaysia <.KLSE>, Thailand <.SETI> and Indonesia <.JKSE> reversed Wednesday's gains.

Singapore Telecommunications dropped 2.1 percent and CapitaLand lost 1.6 percent among weak blue chips.

Analysts attributed the bearish sentiment in Singapore to weak U.S. housing data, with housing starts tumbling 22.5 percent last month to an annual rate of 479,000 units, just shy of a record low set in April 2009 and way below economists' expectations for 570,000 units.