Trader's Highlight

DJ-NEW YORK, July 8 (Reuters) - Wall Street rose for a third straight day on Thursday as investors were encouraged to see jobless claims fall and a handful of large retailers report solid sales.

Stocks have regained their footing after a slew of poor data had raised fears of a double-dip recession. But low market volume suggested investors are still skeptical, and few expect to see a sustained rally.

The Dow rose more than 1 percent, bolstered by late-day buying. Consumer staples <.GSPS> were the S&P's best-performing sector, with Costco Wholesale Corp rising 2.6 percent at $55.71. The sector gained 1.5 percent.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, July 8 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended higher for the second consecutive day on Thursday as government data showing a bigger-than-expected drawdown in domestic crude inventories and gains in equities whetted risk appetite.

Gasoline and heating oil futures rose even though the government data showed that their physical stocks rose.

CBOT-July 8 (Reuters) - CBOT grain and soy complex closing trends on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - September up 12-1/2 cents per bushel at at $9.53-1/2. Reaching a six-month high on continuous price charts on firm cash supplies and fresh sales to China. Additional strength from fund buying amid weather concerns in Europe and China. This week's drop in U.S. soybean condition ratings adds support.

CBOT-SOYOIL - September down 0.16 cent per lb at 36.96 cents per lb.

FCPO-JAKARTA, July 8 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil closed nearly 1 percent higher on Thursday, recovering from losses the previous day on gains in crude oil, but worries over inventories and a firmer ringgit limited gains.

The benchmark September contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives Exchange settled up 20 ringgit or 0.88 percent to 2,290 ringgit ($716) a tonne after trading as high as 2,310 ringgit per tonne. Overall volume stood at 14,577 lots of 25 tonnes each, more than the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, July 8 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets gained on Thursday, helped by a rise on Wall Street and a rebound in oil prices that pushed up energy and related sectors.

Domestic buying fuelled gains as shares around Asia moved higher after a bullish financial company forecast fuelled optimism about the coming U.S. earnings season and underpinned a slow return by investors to riskier assets.

Singapore's benchmark stock index <.FTSTI> rose 1.3 percent to the highest since May 13 while the Philippines <.PSI> climbed 1.4 percent to the highest since January 2008.

Malaysia <.KLSE> posted a smaller gain of 0.3 percent before a decision by Malaysia's central bank to raise its key interest rate by 25 basis points, its third increase in five months, citing strong growth prospects for its economy.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, July 7 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks logged their best one-day gain in about six weeks on Wednesday after a bullish forecast from financial company State Street Corp fueled optimism about the coming earnings season and helped the S&P 500 break above a major resistance level.

State Street shares closed 9.9 percent higher at $36.63 after the asset manager and custody firm said quarterly earnings would far exceed expectations, providing a lifeline to investors after several weeks of dismal economic reports.

Bank stocks led the way, but investors also scooped up beaten-down industrial and technology shares.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 274.66 points, or 2.82 percent, to 10,018.28. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 32.21 points, or 3.13 percent, to 1,060.27. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> advanced 65.59 points, or 3.13 percent, to 2,159.47.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, July 7 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended nearly 3 percent higher on Wednesday, ending a six-day losing streak, as a rally on Wall Street and forecasts that weekly inventory reports will show a hefty crude oil inventory
drawdown improved risk appetite.

Traders also were closely monitoring a potential tropical depression that government storm trackers said could hit the southern Gulf of Mexico in the next two days.

CBOT-CHICAGO, July 7 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July up 28-3/4 cents at $9.93 per bushel; new-crop November up 32-1/2 at $9.32-1/2. USDA said 66 percent of the U.S. soybean crop was rated good to excellent, down from 67 percent a week ago and the fourth consecutive weekly decline. Traders had expected soy conditions to hold steady or improve.

CBOT-SOYOIL - August up 0.97 cent at 36.96 cents per lb. Following strength in soybeans and crude oil.

FCPO-JAKARTA, July 7 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil fell 1.35 percent on Wednesday, its fourth day of losses in five, as investors were concerned higher production may overwhelm already slow demand and lead to higher inventories.

The benchmark September contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives Exchange fell 31 ringgit to close at 2,270 ringgit ($704.5) a tonne, a level last seen in mid-November. Overall volume stood at 13,888 lots of 25 tonnes each, above the usual level of 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, July 7 (Reuters) - Major Southeast Asian stock markets trod water on Wednesday, with late selling pulling down Singapore and Indonesia, amid worries global growth was faltering and as a drop in crude prices weighed on commodity shares.

Equities in the region failed to sustain early gains as investors turned cautious over a weak outlook on Wall Street on Wednesday after the previous session's tepid gains. U.S. stock index futures <.DJHO> were down 0.6 percent at 0944 GMT.

Singapore's benchmark stock index <.FTSTI> ended down 0.2 percent. The market climbed to a one-week high in early trade amid optimism about the economy.

Stronger-than-expected export and manufacturing data in April and May prompted economists to significantly revise up their gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for Singapore for 2010.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, July 6 (Reuters) - Wall Street rebounded on Tuesday, but strong buying interest evaporated in the afternoon as bearish sentiment reasserted itself.

Ending a five-day string of losses, the major indexes bounced back after the S&P 500 closed at a 10-month low on Friday, but investors used the morning's gains as an opportunity to sell rather than establish new long positions.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 57.14 points, or 0.59 percent, at 9,743.62. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 5.48 points, or 0.54 percent, at 1,028.06. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 2.09 points, or 0.10 percent, at 2,093.88.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, July 6 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended at the lowest level in four weeks on Tuesday, erasing strong gains early in the session as Wall Street's rally, the guidepost for the energy markets, fizzled.

The day's losses extended last week's five-day, 8.5 percent loss as U.S. trading resumed after the long holiday weekend with traders remaining averse to risky investments.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, August crude settled down 16 cents, or 0.22 percent, at $71.98 a barrel, the lowest since front-month prices ended at $71.44on June 7. It traded from $71.09, also the lowest since June 8, to $73.86.

CBOT-CHICAGO, July 6 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - August down 4 cents at $9.40-1/2 per bushel; new-crop November down 5-3/4 at $9.00. Overall good crop weather in the United States weighs on soy market amid outlooks for record large soy production in 2010.

CBOT-SOYOIL - August down 0.17 cent at 35.84 cents per lb. Weighed down by lower soy.

FCPO-JAKARTA, July 6 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil gained 0.48 percent on Tuesday after three straight days of losses as traders covered short positions following gains in crude oil and stock markets.

But a strong ringgit against the U.S. dollar kept a lid on gains, traders said. The benchmark September contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives Exchange rose 1ringgit to close at 2,301 ringgit a tonne, after trading as low as 2,277, a level last seen in mid-November. Overall volume stood at 14,103 lots of 25 tonnes each, above the usual level of 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, July 6 (Reuters) - Thai stocks hit a three-month high on Tuesday as investors piled into banks ahead of their quarterly results later in the month and the appointment of a new central bank governor also helped sentiment.

Thailand's government has selected Kasikornbank President Prasarn Trairatvorakul to be the next governor of the Bank of Thailand, in charge of monetary policy for five years from October.

Singapore <.FTSTI> gained 0.8 percent to a one-week high, Malaysia <.KLSE> rose 0.6 percent, ending a six-day fall, Indonesia added 1.2 percent and the Philippines <.PSI> was up 0.7 percent but Vietnam <.VNI> bucked the trend, down 1.1 percent.

In Singapore, Wilmar International , the world's largest listed palm oil firm, rose 1.2 percent. It said after the market close that it was keen to expand its sugar business by setting up operations in Indonesia and Brazil.

Trader's Highlight

FCPO-JAKARTA, July 5 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil hit a fresh seven-and-a-half month low below 2,300 ringgit a tonne on Monday due to a stronger local currency and concerns about demand for vegetable oils.

World equities fell for the fourth day running on Monday and the dollar traded close to two-month lows on growing worries about slowdowns in the United States and in China -- a major importer of palm oil.

The ringgit traded at 3.2130 to the dollar against 3.2225 the previous day. A stronger ringgit makes the vegetable oil more expensive for overseas buyers, limiting demand.

The benchmark September contract on Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives Exchange closed down 45 ringgit or 1.93 percent to 2,290 ringgit ($714) a tonne, a level not seen since Nov. 13, 2009. Overall volume stood at 11,214 lots of 25 tonnes each, higher than the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, July 5 (Reuters) - Thai stocks posted small gains on Monday led by telecoms shares as hopes grew a next-generation telecoms licence auction would finally be held later this year, while global economic gloom crimped regional sentiment.

Investors in Thailand also selectively sought firms with good earnings prospects as the earnings season kicks off this month, giving a boost to shares in big banks and some property developers.

Singapore-listed Total Access jumped 4.2 percent, outperforming Singapore's main stock index <.FTSTI>, which ended flat on the session.

Bucking the trend, Malaysia <.KLSE> fell 0.6 percent, ending in negative terrain for a sixth session. The largest lender, Malayan Banking , fell 0.5 percent and number two CIMB lost 1 percent.

Markets elsewhere in Asia inched higher on Monday, with investors taking profits on defensive plays and buying back other beaten-down shares, though selling could resume shortly as the U.S. and Chinese economies are slowing in tandem.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, July 2 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Friday and were on track for their worst week in two months as disappointing jobs data joined other economic reports pointing to a slowing of the recovery.

Adding to stocks' weaker tone was a technical move that indicated more selling pressure may be ahead. The S&P 500's 50-day moving average broke below its 200-day moving average, a break known as the "death cross."

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 76.40 points, or 0.78 percent, to 9,656.13. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> lost 7.13 points, or 0.69 percent, to 1,020.24. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dipped 15.00 points, or 0.71 percent, to 2,086.36.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, July 2 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell for the fifth day in a row on Friday, as U.S. employment in June fell for the first time this year, adding to worries that the economic recovery is stalling.

For the week, front-month crude traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange slid for the first time in four weeks. In the process, it suffered the steepest decline since the first trading week of May, at the onset of the euro-zone's sovereign debt troubles.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, August crude ended down 81 cents, or 1.11percent, at $72.14 a barrel, the lowest since June 8's $71.99 close. It traded from $71.62, lowest since the June 8 intraday low of $70.75, to $73.38.

CBOT-CHICAGO, July 2 (Reuters) - CBOT grain and soy complex closing trends on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July up 11-1/2 cents per bushel at $9.65 per bushel. Tight soy stocks and firm cash markets continue to support nearbys. Advances in back months limited by good U.S. crop weather and profit-taking ahead of the three-day weekend.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July up 0.13 cent at 36.00 cents per lb. Short-covering bounce after the declines on Thursday and ahead of the weekend.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures hit a fresh seven-and-a-half month low on Friday as sentiment was dampened by concerns that China, a major importer of palm oil, could slow purchases amid an economic slowdown.

With ample stocks and abnormal weather condition this season, the world's largest palm oil importer has slowed down imports, said an oil analyst in Shanghai.

Currently the Asian nation has about 700,000 tonnes to one million tonnes of palm oil stocks at the its major ports.

In Malaysia, the benchmark September crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange lost 0.4 percent or 10 ringgit on Friday at 2,335 ringgit ($722). It hit an intraday low of 2,328 ringgit, a level not seen since Nov. 17 last year. Traded volume was light at 8,853 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to usual 10,000 lots.

Malaysian crude palm oil lost 2.7 percent this week on concerns about the global economic recovery. Malaysian traders said price of the vegetable oil could fall to as much as 2,250 ringgit -- lowest since Nov 13 last year -- if the bearish sentiment prevails.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, July 2 (Reuters) - Singapore shares rose almost 1 percent on Friday as investors bought banks, optimistic about their upcoming quarterly results, but most other regional markets fell amid concerns over the U.S. and global economic outlook.

The Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> ended up 0.85 percent as players sought companies likely to report positive second-quarter earnings later in the month.

Gains in the city-state were led by a 1.5 percent rise in Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp . Southeast Asia's largest bank, DBS , was up 0.9 percent while smaller rival United Overseas Bank was 0.5 percent higher.

Singapore has lost 1.8 percent so far this year, Southeast Asia's worst performer.

Najeeb Jarhom, head of research at Singapore-based broker AmFraser, said Singapore's valuations might not be demanding with the index trading at a price to book ratio of 1.55, below its historical 1.63 times average, with price to earnings at 13-14 times, below its average of 15.

Other markets in the region were mostly lower, with Malaysia <.KLSE>, Indonesia <.JKSE> and Vietnam <.VNI> all a tad lower and the Philippines <.PSI> down 0.7 percent. Thailand <.SETI> bucked the trend, ending up 0.7 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, July 1 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Thursday as manufacturing and labor market data heightened fears of a double-dip recession before Friday's key employment report.

Major indexes were lower for a fourth straight day after suffering their worst quarter since late 2008, but losses eased near the end of the session.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 41.49 points, or 0.42 percent, to 9,732.53. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> shed 3.33 points, or 0.32 percent, to 1,027.38. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 7.88 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,101.36.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, July 1 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended at a three-week low on Thursday, extending losses for four consecutive days, as weak economic data from China and the United States added to worries over the global economic recovery and oil demand.

Front-month crude's loss for the day was the biggest single day percentage drop in almost a month and came after prices on Wednesday posted the first quarterly loss since the tumultuous fourth quarter of 2008.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, August crude settled down $2.68, or 3.54 percent, at $72.95, the lowest settlement since June 8's $71.99. It traded from $72.05, lowest intraday since June 8's intraday low of $70.75, to $75.40.

CBOT-CHICAGO, July 1 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYMEAL - July up $2.10 per ton at $291.50 per ton. Following soybeans and soymeal/soyoil spreading.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July down 0.41 cent per lb at 35.87 cents per lb. Pressure from lower crude oil and meal/oil spreading.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures fell more than 1 percent on Thursday, tracking volatile crude oil and equity markets, on signs China's economic growth was slowing.

Investors gave stocks and commodities a wide berth on Thursday on mounting worries about the strength of the global economic recovery after manufacturing data showed China's rapid growth was slowing.

Benchmark September crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 27 ringgit at 2,346 ringgit ($729.5) a tonne. The same contract hit a lowest point since Nov. 17, 2009 at 2,338 ringgit the previous day. Overall traded volume stood at 13,224 lots of 25 tonnes, well above the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, July 1 (Reuters) - Indonesian shares fell more than 1 percent on Thursday with investors fearing higher-than-expected inflation might bring an interest rate rise sooner rather than later, while other markets also started the third quarter weakly.

Indonesia's inflation picked up in June to its highest since May 2009, but was still within a central bank year-end forecast range, reinforcing expectation the bank will keep rates steady when it meets on Monday.

Singapore <.FTSTI>, Southeast Asia's worst performer in the second quarter, fell 0.5 percent, Malaysia <.KLSE> eased 0.4 percent, and Vietnam <.VNI>, the region's smallest bourse, was off 0.6 percent.

In Singapore, CapitaLand , Southeast Asia's biggest developer, eased 0.3 percent and United Overseas Bank , Singapore's third-biggest lender, was down 0.6 percent.

In Kuala Lumpur, Sime Darby, Malaysia's No.2 company by market value, fell 2.6 percent, and in Manila, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co (PLDT) , the country's largest listed firm, fell 1.3 percent.