Breaking News-RTRS-Brazil soy crop could be revised upward-analyst

SAO PAULO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Helped by favorable weather in key producing areas, Brazil's 2009/10 soy crop should reach a record 65.1 million tonnes, up from last season's 57 million tonnes, grains analysts Agroconsult projected on Monday.

Breaking News-RTRS-Argentine corn, soy may face drop in soil moisture

SINGAPORE, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Hot and dry weather forecast in Argentina this week will likely reduce soil moisture and threaten yields of developing corn and soybean crops, a forecaster said on Monday.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks snapped a three-day slide on Monday as signs that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would win a U.S. Senate vote for a second term helped ease investors' concerns.

After the closing bell, iPod maker Apple Inc reported sharp gains in quarterly revenue and profit, sending its shares 1.9 percent higher to $207.00 in after-hours trading. The company also said it moved to adopt new accounting standards for its iPhone.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures settled lower on Monday, ending a three-day losing streak, as Wall Street rebounded, the dollar fell against most major currencies and refined products bounced from recent losses.

U.S. stocks moved higher as signs that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would win a U.S. Senate vote for a second term helped lift shares beaten down last week.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, March crude settled up 72 cents, or 0.97 percent, at $75.26 a barrel, trading from $74.06 to $75.42.

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

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 11 cents at $9.40-1/2 a bushel. Weighed down by prospects for a record large South American soybean harvest in 2010. Traders note long liquidation.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.21 cent at 36.50 cents per lb. Pressure from decline in soybeans.

PALM-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures edged higher on Monday after a cargo surveyor reported a strong recovery in exports but high stocks and weak commodity markets limited gains.

Palm oil prices have lost nearly 8 percent so far this year, with most of these losses materialising last week, after U.S. President Barack Obama's proposal to curb financial risk-taking and China's moves to tighten credit roiled financial markets.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Monday but they regained some lost ground during the session, with a sovereign rating upgrade by Fitch helping Indonesia recover from a three-week low.

Other major markets in the region, including Singapore <.FTSTI>, Malaysia <.KLSE> and Thailand <.SETI>, ended off their lows as U.S. futures gained, signalling New York markets would reverse some of last week's losses.

Among losers in Singapore, Genting Singapore was down 0.8 percent and the biggest lender, DBS Group Holdings , was 0.8 percent lower. But Keppel Land , the property development arm of Keppel Corp , was up 0.3 percent ahead of results.

In Kuala Lumpur, shipper MISC dropped 1.2 percent and telecoms firm Axiata Group was down 0.9 percent.

CBOT Soyoil Daily: Defended at Usc36.55

Market is trying to defend the underline support at Usc36.55. Violation of it may prompted more room to bias downside potential. To the upside, resistance is stood at Usc38.00 to 38.50.

FCPO Daily: Remains in sideways

No further new development as market extended its consolidation mode to move in sideways bias in between 2400 to 2500 levels. As for now, we continue to look for the immediate support at 2400 followed by 2370-2360. While, upside resistance is pegged at 2500-2525 followed by 2540-2550.

Breaking News-RTRS-China's festive demand for palm oil slows as stocks rise

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Reuters) - China has slowed palm oil purchases ahead of the Lunar New Year as port stocks are above 350,000-400,000 tonnes after heavy buying in the last two months of 2009, Asian vegetable oil traders said on Friday.
Although palm oil stocks at ports are 42 percent lower than the recent high level of 600,000 tonnes hit in July last year, demand has slowed, Chinese traders said.

Breaking News-RTRS-UPDATE 1-Indonesia says to set palm oil exports quota in 5 years

JAKARTA, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Indonesia, the world's top palm oil producer, is planning to set an exports quota for the tropical oil within the next five years in order to boost the by-product industry, Industry Minister M.S. Hidayat said on Friday.

Breaking News-RTRS-US soybean seen down near term on supply-Allendale

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill., Jan 23 (Reuters) - Research and advisory firm Allendale, Inc said U.S. soybean prices would sink over the next two to three months, pressured by heavy supplies due to a record-large South American harvest this spring.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 22 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks capped their worst three-day slide in 10 months on Friday on fears the White House's plan to curb bank risk-taking would cut profits, and tech shares slumped after Google Inc's disappointing results.

Uncertainty about the Senate's confirmation of Ben Bernanke for another term as the Federal Reserve's chairman also rattled investors in a week when political squabbles helped erase stocks' gains for 2010.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 22 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended at their lowest level in four weeks on Friday as Wall Street dropped sharply on plans to limit trading by banks and oil demand in China and the United States remained a concern.

Wednesday's government inventory data showing a big jump in gasoline supplies last week and continued signs of weak demand for distillates hung over the market, traders said.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, March crude settled down $1.54, or 2.02 percent, at $74.54 a barrel, down for a third straight day and marking the lowest close since Dec. 22's $74.40. It traded from $74.31, lowest since the Dec. 23 intraday low of $74.25, to $76.50.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 2-1/2 cents at $9.51-1/2 per bushel.Pressured by Obama administration proposal to restrict banks's ability to trade and/or invest in commodities, plus prospects for bumper soy crops in South America. Some underpinning from worries about hotter/drier weather in Argentina, and strong U.S. export sales.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.29 cent at 36.71 cents per lb. Following soybeans and early declines in crude oil.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended 1.3 percent lower on Friday as a new U.S. proposal to limit financial risk taking took commodities across the board lower [COM/WRAP] but traders say the market was likely to recover next week.

Palm oil prices have lost nearly 8 percent so far this year, with much of the losses made this week due to high stocks, slowing exports and China's moves to tighten credit.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Friday, with Singapore's index hitting a one-month low, weighed down by selling in financials and other big-caps.

The U.S. government's proposed bank restrictions fuelled concern about banks' profits and global growth, hitting stock markets across the board.

Singapore's Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> ended down 1.1 percent, with DBS Group off 1.6 percent, United Overseas Bank down 1.5 percent and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp 1.1 percent lower.

Malaysia's index <.KLSE> fell to its lowest since Jan. 18, down 0.6 percent, led by a 1.2 percent loss in financial firm CIMB Group and a 1 percent drop in Malayan Banking . But Malaysia fared best on the week, edging up 0.14 percent, with other Southeast Asian stock markets posting a loss.

FCPO Weekly: Defended at 2400 levels

Market is trying to defend at 2400 levels after straight three weeks losses. Overall momentum getting weaker and market may continue to move sideways to lower in near term. As for now, we are looking for the immediate upside resistance at 2650. To the downside, immediate support is lies at 2400 followed by 2305-2285 (gap left over on 22/11/2009).

NYMEX Crude Weekly: Weaken further

Market momentum weaken further and looks market may continue to move sideways to lower in near term. Hence, upside resistance remains stood at USD83.95 and downside support is lies at USD72.00 to USD68.50.

DJI Weekly: Looks tiredness

Market tested the fresh high at 10,729 levels but failed to sustain. Market looks little tiredness and may due for a correction in near term. Upside resistance and downside support is pegged at 10,730 and 10,000 levels respectively.

FKLI Weekly: Facing some resistance

Market looks facing some resistance to march higher after hits the fresh high at 1307 levels. Thus, market may due for a consolidation phase in near term. To the upside, immediate resistance is looking at at 1310 followed by 1314-1348 (gap left over on 29/2/2008). To the downside, support is pegged at 1285-1275 followed by 1265-1250.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks suffered their worst one-day percentage drop since October on Thursday as U.S. President Barack Obama proposed tough restrictions on banks that would squeeze profits.

Major banks slid, with Goldman Sachs falling 4.1 percent despite posting stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results, and JPMorgan Chase & Co shed 6.6 percent, after Obama proposed limiting how banks invest their own money.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil and refined product futures slumped to four-week lows on Thursday in a sell-off triggered by government data showing an unexpected large build in gasoline stocks last week.

A slide in U.S. equities after President Barack Obama aired a proposal to limit banks' risk-taking also pressured the energy markets.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, new front-month March crude settled down $1.66, or 2.14 percent, at $76.08 a barrel, down a second day. It traded from $75.66, the lowest since Dec. 23's intraday low of $74.25, and $78.36.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March up 4 cents at $9.54 per bushel. Rebound off this week's three-month lows. Firm cash soymeal market and fresh sales to China add support. Some support from talk of hotter/drier weather in parts of Argentina, but overall excellent soy growing weather continues in South America

CBOT-SOYOIL - March up 0.43 cent at 37.00 cents per lb. Recovering from oversold signals after past week's price slide.

FCPO=KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures rebounded from their weakest in two months on Thursday as traders took up positions after rival vegetable oil markets rose.

Traders said palm oil as well as U.S. and China soyoil markets gained after falling on concern that key commodities importer China could tighten credit after a slew of positive economic data.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Singapore's stock index fell more
than 1 percent on Thursday, while Indonesia snapped a five-day winning streak to hit a one-week low. Investors worried that China would take more measures to cool its economy after reporting its fastest quarterly growth in two
years.

Singapore's Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> ended down 1.5 percent at its lowest since Dec. 28, with CapitaLand losing 4.3 percent to its lowest since Dec. 31.
Malaysia's index <.KLSE> hovered around 22-month highs, edging up 0.13 percent, led by Malayan Banking and Axiata Group , which gained more than 1 percent.

Malaysia's stock market valuations look stretched but builders and exporters may shine, helped by the recovery in the economy at home and abroad, said Malaysian fund manager Public Mutual.

NYMEX Crude Daily: Sideways to lower

Bears continue to strike as prices failed to hold ground. Thus, market may continue to move lower in near term. Hence, upside resistance is now looking at USD79.00 to 80.00. Downside support is adjusted to USD75.00.

FCPO Daily: Enter into consolidation phase

Market survived at above 2400 levels after covered the downside gap at 2428-2419. It then rebounded to close off the day high with printed a long white candle. Thus, market may enter into consolidation phase since 2400 levels provided pretty good support. To the downside, immediate support is lies 2400 followed by 2370-2360. While, upside resistance is pegged at 2500-2525 followed by 2540-2550.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The Dow suffered its worst drop of 2010 on Wednesday as U.S. stocks succumbed to fears that China's curbs on bank lending might jeopardize the global economic recovery, while IBM's outlook sparked caution about
the technology sector.

Chinese authorities have ordered some major banks to curb their lending over the rest of this month after an early burst of credit, banking industry sources said.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 20 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures stayed lower in post-settlement trading on Wednesday even though industry data showed that crude inventories fell last week, going against forecasts that stockpiles increased.

The American Petroleum Institute said that for the week to Jan. 18, crude stocks fell 1.8 million barrels while distillate inventories, which include heating oil supplies, dropped 3.4 million barrels.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, incoming front-month March crude was down $1.65, or 2.08 percent, at $77.67 a barrel, after falling as low as $77.13. It had settled down $1.58, or 1.99 percent, at $77.74 a barrel, trading from $77.28 to $79.36.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.58 cent at 36.57 cents per lb.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 13-1/2 cents at $9.50 per bushel. Firm dollar, weak crude oil and concerns about the economy in world's top soy buyer China add pressure. Spot contract fell to a three-month low on continuous price chart.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures dropped 1.9 percent on Wednesday as high opening stocks this month outweighed a cargo surveyor report of higher exports.

Prices of the vegetable oil, which hit a seven-month high in early January, have been sliding due to high stocks and weaker commodity markets.

The benchmark April contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange dropped 46 ringgit to 2,444 ringgit ($730.2) per tonne. Overall volume more than doubled to 21,491 lots of 25 tonnes each by the end of the session.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Indonesia hit a 22-month high on
Wednesday as financials and telecoms attracted buying interest because of optimism over the global economy, while Malaysia scaled a similar peak as earnings hopes pushed up Axiata.

Malaysia's index <.KLSE> rose 0.5 percent, earlier hitting its highest since March 5, 2008, with number two telecoms firm Axiata surging 6.5 percent.

Elsewhere, Singapore <.FTSTI> fell 0.7 percent, weighed down by a 1.6 percent loss in Genting Singapore and a 0.8 percent drop in top lender DBS Group .

FCPO Daily: Sideways to lower move likely to continue

Market continue its losing streak as prices weaken further. Thus, we maintain our view sideways to lower in near term. To the downside, immediate support is lies at 2428-2419 (gap left over on 29/11/2009)followed by 2370-2360. While, upside resistance is pegged at 2472-2475 (gap left over on 20/1/2010) followed by 2500.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 19 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose broadly on Tuesday, lifting the Dow and the S&P 500 to fresh 15-month closing highs as investors bet a potential Republican victory in Massachusetts' Senate race could stall Obama's reform agenda.

Wall Street also got a boost from technology shares, which rallied in anticipation of strong earnings from bellwether International Business Machines Corp , which rose 1.8 percent to $134.14, making it the Dow's top boost.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 19 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended higher on Tuesday, snapping a five-session losing streak and reversing earlier losses as gains on Wall Street overpowered a stronger dollar, milder weather and ample oil inventories.

U.S. stocks rose as investors scooped up healthcare shares as they bet that a potential Republlican victory in Massachusetts' Senate race could stall President Barak Obama's reforms and remove a threat to profits in the sector.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude settled up $1.02, or 1.31 percent, at $79.02 a barrel. It traded from $76.76, lowest since $76.19 was struck on Dec. 24, to a high of $79.10.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March down 10-1/2 cents at $9.63-1/2 per bushel. Good crop weather in South America and firm dollar combine to weigh on soy futures.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.38 cent at 37.15 cents per lb.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures closed flat on Tuesday, giving up gains of almost 1 percent as market players scaled back expectations for the exports data, which are due out on Wednesday and cover Jan.1-20, traders said.

There was talk earlier in the day that palm exports for Jan. 1-20 were in the range of 950,000-990,000 tonnes, well above the December figure of 858,307 tonnes. But later in the day, market talk put the number at closer to 927,000 tonnes.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets edged higher on Tuesday but Thai stocks fell more than 1 percent to their lowest in over a week due to selling in heavyweight energy and banking shares.

Singapore's index <.FTSTI> edged up 0.03 percent, with CapitaLand climbing 1.9 percent as it bought the property unit of Orient Overseas (International) <0316.HK> for $2.2 billion as part of its goal to increase assets in China to
45 percent of its total over five years.

Malaysia's index <.KLSE> inched up 0.2 percent, earlier touching its highest since May 16, 2008, with Public Bank up 1.7 percent and Maxis up 0.8 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Profits from top U.S. technology companies like IBM and financial companies like Goldman Sachs Group Inc next week could help stocks gain as long as investors see room for more profit growth.

Stronger-than-expected results late Thursday from tech bellwether Intel Corp failed to excite investors on Friday, while steep loan losses reported by JPMorgan Chase & Co. dragged down the market.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Jan 15 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower for the fifth day in a row on Friday as milder Northeast temperatures signaled weaker heating oil demand. A stronger dollar added pressure, prompting traders to pare positions in oil and other commodities.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, February crude , which expires on Wednesday, settled down $1.39, or 1.75 percent, at $78 a barrel, the lowest close since Dec. 23's $76.67. For the week, it fell $4.75, or 5.7 percent, biggest weekly loss since week to Dec. 11's fall of $5.60, or 7.4 percent. It traded from $79.31 down to $77.70, lowest since Dec. 14's $76.19 intraday low.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended slightly lower on Monday, recouping most of the day's 2.2 percent loss as investors moved to cover their short positions in an oversold market, traders said.
The tropical oil hit an eight-week low in early trade, extending a 5.3 percent fall from last week as the market was dragged down by weaker crude oil and rival soy prices.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Singapore and Thai shares eked out small gains on Monday, with Siam City Bank climbing in Bangkok after another potential buyer emerged for a stake, but sentiment around the region was weak.

Several Southeast Asian stock markets ended in negative territory after number two U.S. bank JPMorgan reported heavy losses on mortgage and credit card loans, which cast doubt on consumer demand in the United States, a huge export market for Asia.

Singapore's index <.FTSTI> inched up 0.12 percent, with casino operator Genting Singapore advancing 3.2 percent as the top traded stock on the bourse, followed by Golden Agri , which gained 1.8 percent.

Malaysia's index <.KLSE> dipped 0.05 percent, weighed down by a 1.3 percent loss in palm plantation firm IOI Corp and a 0.11 percent loss in its peer, Sime Darby , as palm oil futures fell to eight-week lows.