Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 12 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks hit fresh 5-month highs on Tuesday as details from the Fed's latest meeting showed the U.S. central bank may once again flood markets with cheap cash "before long" to further boost growth.

The minutes from the Federal Reserve's Sept. 21 meeting served as another strong signal for a stock market that has surged for weeks on rising hopes for more Fed action. The S&P 500 index is up 11.5 percent since the start of September.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 10.06 points, or 0.09 percent, to 11,020.40. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 4.45 points, or 0.38 percent, to 1,169.77. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 15.59 points, or 0.65 percent, to 2,417.92.


NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Oil prices ended lower for a second day on Tuesday as OPEC signaled it will keep output targets unchanged when it meets on Thursday.

Labor unrest spread to more French ports and refineries, helping limit oil's losses for the day.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude settled down 54 cents, or 0.66 percent, at $81.67, trading from $80.88 to $82.33.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soybean complex closing trends on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - November up 26 cents at $11.78-1/2 a bushel; January up 26-1/2 at $11.89-1/2.

Strong export demand, tight supply situation supportive to soybean prices amid talk that China would make some new purchases of U.S. supplies.

USDA reported export inspections of U.S. soybeans in the latest week at 37.921 million bushels, above trade estimates for 25 million to 35 million.

CBOT-SOYOIL - October up 0.56 at 46.54 cents a lb; more active December up 0.60 at 46.95.

Following soybeans after strong overnight session despite weakness in the crude oil market.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Reuters) - China's soyoil futures hovered below two-year highs hit earlier on Tuesday as news of the government lifting a ban on Argentina soyoil partly offset the bullish soybean supply scenario.

China's most active May 2011 soyoil contract on Dalian Commodity Exchange climbed 0.7 to hit 8,986 yuan -- a level unseen since Sept. 1, 2008.

Malaysia's benchmark palm futures ended 0.9 percent lower at 2,900 ringgit ($935.5) per tonne in the morning session. Traded volume was heavy, rising to 17,513 lots of 25 tonnes each from the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Thai stocks edged lower on Tuesday but recouped most of their early losses as unnerved investors returned to the market after the government imposed expected measures to tame the surging baht currency.

Gains in broad Asian currencies along with the bull run on equities in the region have been in large part the result of hot money flowing out of developed economies.

Meanwhile, broad Asian stocks fell on Tuesday ahead of the U.S. corporate earnings season.

Singapore <.FTSTI> lost 0.4 percent, Malaysia <.KLSE> edged down 0.06 percent after climbing to the highest since Jan 15 2008, and Vietnam <.VNI> dropped 1.1 percent, after a flat session on Monday.

Malaysia's IOI Corp rose 0.4 percent, building on a 1.5 percent rise on Monday while Indonesia's Astra Agro Lestari gained 4.4 percent, adding a 7.1 percent gain on Monday.

Breaking News-RTRS-China likely to lift Argentine soyoil ban - source

BEIJING, Oct 11 (Reuters) - China is likely to lift its six-month de facto ban on soyoil imports from Argentina but has not taken a final decision yet, an official Chinese source with knowledge of the situation said on Monday.
China effectively barred Argentine imports of the edible oil at the end of March amid a wider trade dispute, by restating quality standards that traders said were impossible to meet in practice.
The source said China's Ministry of Commerce was likely to reopen the trade, but did not expect a flood of Argentine imports because Argentina had already sold most of its soyoil elsewhere.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 11 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks drifted in the lightest trading volume of the year on Monday as few dared to place bets ahead of key companies' results later this week.

Expectations the Federal Reserve will flood markets with even more cash have been fully priced in to the market, so investors are now focused on third-quarter earnings season, with Intel Corp scheduled for Tuesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> edged up 3.86 points, or 0.04 percent, to end at 11,010.34. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> inched up just 0.17 of a point, or 0.01 percent, to 1,165.32. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 0.42 of a point, or 0.02 percent, to 2,402.33.


NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 11 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower in light trading on Monday as the dollar climbed back up, sparking risk aversion among oil investors.

In the early going, crude rose as the dollar weakened on expectations of a further round of monetary easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve, in view of recent weak economic data.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude settled down 45 cents, or 0.54 percent, at $82.21 a barrel, trading $82.01 to $83.50.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soybean complex closing trends on Monday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - November up 17-1/2 cents at $11.52-1/2 a bushel; January up 18 cents at $11.63.

Following corn. USDA report also viewed as bullish to soybeans. Prices hit highest level since August 2009 during the session.

CBOT-SOYOIL - October down 0.24 cent at 45,98 cents a lb; more active December down 0.27 at 46.35.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Global vegetable oil prices hit multi-year highs on Monday as Asian traders scrambled for cover after a forecast of a smaller U.S. soybean crop and the falling dollar.

China's most-active May 2011 soyoil rose 4 percent, its trading limit, to reach its highest since Sept. 1 2008 and the May 2011 palm olein contract also rose by its 5 percent daily limit to a level unseen since July. 21, 2008.

Benchmark Malaysian palm oil futures <0#KPO:> closed at 2,930 ringgit ($941.2) per tonne, after surging 6.5 percent to their highest in more than two years as news about U.S. government trimming soy and corn production outweighed the country's higher palm stocks and weaker overseas demand.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets gained on Monday as investment funds continued to flow into emerging markets amid expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will introduce further measures to boost the economy.

Investors pushed Malaysia <.KLSE> to a 33-month high while Singapore <.FTSTI>, Thailand <.SETI> and Indonesia <.JKSE> all snapped two-day losing streaks.

Broad Asian stock markets rose as U.S. job data boosted the chances of easier U.S. monetary policy, even though IMF and G7 meetings produced little to ease global currency tensions

Singapore's Golden Agri-Resources rose 5.2 percent, rival Indofood Agri Resources climbed 7 percent, Malaysia's IOI Corp gained 1.5 percent and Indonesia's Astra Agro Lestari jumped 7.1 percent.

The region's valuations remain relatively high, led by Indonesia's 12-month forward price to earnings ratio of 15.6 against all-Asia's 13.3, according to Thomson Reuters StarMine. That was followed by Malaysia's 15.1, the Philippines' 14.6, Singapore's 14.1, Thailand's 12.5 and Vietnam's 12.4.

Breaking News-RTRS - Rapeseed output jump in key Indian state may cut vegoil imports

NEW DELHI, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Rapeseed output in India's top producing state is likely to jump 45 percent this year, cutting cooking oil import needs by at least 5 percent for the world's top buyer in 2010/11, farm and trade officials said on Friday.
The area under cultivation for rapeseed, the main winter-sown oilseed, is likely rise as good monsoon rains give the soil moisture, improving output from last year when the worst drought in nearly four decades ravaged farms.

Breaking News-RTRS - Brazil's soy belt seen dry till mid next week

SAO PAULO, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Farmers in Brazil's soybean belt will have to wait until the middle of next week at least for rain that could potentially boost the planting of the 2010/11 crop, data from Somar meteorologists showed on Friday.

A new cold front is advancing over Brazil's southeast but has not been
enough to bring substantial rains over the center-west, Somar said in a daily soy weather bulletin.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 8 (Reuters) - The Dow closed above the 11,000 mark for the first time in five months on Friday as a surprisingly weak jobs report strengthened the case for more stimulus from the Federal Reserve.

While a loss of 95,000 jobs normally might be expected to hurt stocks, the market's desire for cheap money trumped concerns about the slow economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 57.90 points, or 0.53 percent, to close at 11,006.48. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 7.09 points, or 0.61 percent, to 1,165.15. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> climbed 18.24 points, or 0.77 percent, to 2,401.91.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 8 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rose on Friday as the dollar weakened due to an unexpected dip in U.S. jobs, further raising expectations of easier money policies from the Federal Reserve to help lift the struggling economy.

U.S. equities gained, bolstered by the likely Fed action, and gasoline futures rallied. Both aided crude's rebound from Thursday's losses.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude settled up 99 cents, or 1.21 percent, at $82.66 a barrel. It traded from $80.30 to $83.13.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soybean complex close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - November up 70-cent limit at $11.35 a bushel. Spillover support from soaring corn with additional support from bullish U.S. soy production and ending stocks numbers in USDA's October crop reports.

CBOT-SOYOIL - October up 2.43 cents at 46.22 cents per lb. Following soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil ended off a 26-month high and other vegetable oil markets edged higher as traders bet China would start to restock after the long holidays at a time of possible tight global supplies.

But some traders turned cautious later in the session after news that India would probably cut down on some vegetable oil imports as rapeseed output jumped in a key producing state. [ID:nSGE6930GP]

Benchmark Malaysian palm oil futures <0#KPO:> rose as much as 0.8 percent at 2,808 ringgit ($909) per tonne, a level unseen since Aug 8, 2008. The contract ended 26 ringgit lower at 2,760 ringgit.

Trades were brisk, with 14,443 lots of 25 tonnes each changing hands, up from the usual 10,000.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Friday ahead of U.S. job data and contentious G7 and IMF meetings focusing on currencies, with Thai stocks pulling back from 14-year highs, but most bourses managed gains on the week.

Investors chose to lock in profits, wary of what may come out of the weekend meetings and of regional policies that may curb inflows. The bull run on equities in the region is in large part the result of hot money flowing out of developed economies.

Equities in Indonesia <.JKSE>, Thailand <.SETI> and Singapore <.FTSTI> fell for a second session, finishing down 1.1 percent, 0.8 percent and 0.4 percent respectively.

Malaysia <.KLSE> ended flat, after earlier climbing to a 32-month high, the Philippines <.PSI> eased 0.2 percent, coming off a record high hit in early trade, and Vietnam <.VNI> fell 0.6 percent after scaling a one-month high on Thursday.

On the week, Thailand ended down 1.6 percent, Southeast Asia's worst performer. Indonesia was flat, snapping a five-week gain, but Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines finished higher. Manila fared best, ending up 3.04 percent.

Breaking News-RTRS-MALAYSIA'S END-SEPT PALM OIL STOCKS SEEN UP 2.5 PCT AT 1.77 MLN TONNES VS AUG -REUTERS POLL

KUALA LUMPUR Oct 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia's Septemberpalm oil
stocks probably hit a seven-month high as slightly higher output
and imports outpaced overseas and local demand, a Reuters poll
showed on Thursday.
Inventories in the world's No. 2 palm producer probably rose
2.5 percent to 1.77 million tonnes, slowing its pace from the
22.6 percent jump in August, a median of five planters showed.
September output is likely to be almost flat at 1.61 million
tonnes. Poll estimates ranged from 1.60 to 1.67 million tonnes as
traders were divided between favourable weather boosting yields
and the long Eid al-Fitr holidays slowing harvest.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Weak commodities and a firmer dollar pressured U.S. stocks on Thursday as investors shunned big bets before a jobs report that could determine the next move from the Fed.

The dollar reversed a long downtrend, slamming oil and gold markets, which in turn took a toll on energy and mining stocks. Newmont Mining Corp and Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold both fell more than 2 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dipped 19.07 points, or 0.17 percent, to 10,948.58. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> eased 1.91 points, or 0.16 percent, to 1,158.06. But the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 3.01 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,383.67.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 7 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices settled nearly 2 percent lower on Thursday, retreating from an five-month high above $84 a barrel as a bounce by the dollar prompted investors to book profits ahead of a key September nonfarm payrolls report.

Crude rose early on Thursday on lift from an ongoing strike at France's top oil port, a dip in U.S. first-time jobless benefits claims and the dollar's slump before recovery took hold.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude fell $1.56, or 1.87 percent, to settle at $81.67 a barrel, trading from $81.00 to $84.43, the highest intraday price since $86.24 was struck on May 4.

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

CBOT-SOYBEANS - November up 3 cents at $10.65 a bushel. Following corn higher with support also from brisk export sales of U.S. soy. Some expectations for USDA on Friday to show a switch of soy acreage to corn also supported soy.

CBOT-SOYOIL - October up 0.35 cent at 43.79 cents per lb. Following soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil hit a near 17-month high on Thursday as traders bet the weak dollar may spur more demand for U.S. priced vegetable oil from top buyers China and India.

The dollar held near a 15-year low on expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will shift towards a looser monetary policy and spur another round of quantitative easing -- a scenario that has supported equity and commodity markets.

Investors expect the world's top vegetable oil buyers China and India to restock after festival season ends, focusing on palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia that will go through a seasonal upswing in production and soyoil from a bumper U.S. crop.

Benchmark Malaysian palm oil <0#KPO:> rose almost 2 percent to 2,786 ringgit ($901.3) after touching an intraday high of 2,788 ringgit -- a level unseen since May 13 last year.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Most big Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Thursday as appetite for shares in the region waned because of global tension about currency valuations and uncertainty about economic growth around the world.

Further gains are expected, but for now investors are locking in profits, opting for caution ahead of meetings of finance ministers and central bankers at the IMF and other forums at the end of the week, with currencies a focus.

Singapore <.FTSTI> fell 0.7 percent, moving off a 28-month high set the day before, Indonesia <.JKSE> lost 0.5 percent after scaling a record high on Wednesday, and Thailand <.SETI> ended down 0.8 percent, slipping from a 14-year high.

However, Malaysia <.KLSE> reversed an early loss to finish with a 0.1 percent gain, hovering around a 32-month high, while the Philippines <.PSI> rose 1.2 percent to an all-time high and Vietnam <.VNI> added 0.3 percent to a four-week high.

In Asia in general, stocks edged up to a two-year high, led by resource-related shares. The U.S. dollar was near a 15-year low against the yen before a U.S. jobs report on Friday.

Liquid big caps led the losses, including a 1 percent drop in Singapore Telecommunications Ltd , Southeast Asia's biggest telecommunications firm. Indonesia's biggest phone firm, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia , fell 3.2 percent. Southeast Asia is trading at a relatively high forward price-to-earnings ratio, led by Indonesia's 15.9 against all Asia's 13.3, according to Thomson Reuters StarMine.

That was followed by Malaysia's 15.1, the Philippines' 14.4, Singapore's 14.2, Thailand's 12.7 and Vietnam's 12.3, the data showed.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Tech shares slumped on Wednesday, hit by worries about demand for semiconductors and data storage.

The Nasdaq bore the brunt of the day's selling, led by data system services provider Citrix Systems . The stock was down in sympathy with small-cap Equinix Inc , which plunged 33.1 percent to $70.34 after it issued a revenue warning late Tuesday. Citrix slid 14.1 percent to $60.15.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> added 22.93 points, or 0.21 percent, to 10,967.65. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> inched down 0.78 of a point, or 0.07 percent, to 1,159.97. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dropped 19.17 points, or 0.80 percent, to 2,380.66.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 6 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices rose on Wednesday for the fifth time in six sessions as the government's report of a larger-than-expected drop in gasoline stockpiles and the slumping dollar lifted oil to a five-month peak.

A drop in both gasoline and distillate inventories allowed investors to shrug off the U.S. Energy Information Administration's report that crude oil stocks rose more than expected.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude rose 41 cents, or 0.5 percent, to settle at $83.23 a barrel, trading from $82.29 to $84.09, highest intraday price since $86.24 was struck on May 4.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soybean complex close on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - November down 9-3/4 cents at $10.62 a bushel. Lower on technical selling and profit-taking after Tuesday's dollar-driven rally. Optimal U.S. harvest weather adds pressure. Market underpinned by uncertainty ahead of USDA's Friday crop report, and brisk demand for soybeans, especially from China.

CBOT-SOYOIL - October down 0.03 cent at 43.44 cents per lb. Following soybeans lower but market underpinned by unwinding of meal/oil spreads.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Palm oil prices hit a near one-week high on Wednesday on expectations of a new round of central bank action to ginger up weakening economies although a record U.S. soy crop dragged on sentiment.

Hopes of central banks easing monetary policies weighed on the greenback, as it would make dollar-priced commodities such as Malaysian palm oil and U.S. soyoil cheaper for big customers like China and India.

Benchmark Malaysian palm oil prices <0#KPO:> ended up 0.9 percent at 2,730 ringgit ($882.1) after going as high as 2,735 ringgit -- a level unseen since Oct 1. Traded volume stood at 11,654 lots of 25 tonnes each.

Early this week, the palm oil market fell to two-week lows pulled down by a sell-off in grains after a report on huge U.S. corn stockpiles the previous day scared investors.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets set multi-year highs on Wednesday as the prospect of major central banks stepping up asset purchases boosted inflows across the region.

Singapore's index <.FTSTI> hit a 28-month high, and the indices of Indonesia <.JKSE> and the Philippines <.PSI> touched all-time highs.

Malaysia <.KLSE> marked a new 32-month high, while Vietnam <.VNI> rose for a second session, adding 2.2 percent to its highest in two weeks, and Thailand <.SETI> finished up 1 percent, clawing back up close to a 14-year high set early in the week.

In Singapore, banks led gainers, with top lender DBS Group Holdings Ltd up nearly 1 percent and United Overseas Bank Ltd rising 1.1 percent.

Breaking News-RTRS-OIL WORLD RAISES FORECAST OF ARGENTINA'S 2011 SOYBEAN CROP TO 52-53 MLN T FROM PREVIOUS ESTIMATE OF 51 MLN T

HAMBURG, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World said on Tuesday it had raised its forecast of Argentine's soybean crop for harvesting in early 2011 to 52-53 million tonnes from 51 million tonnes it forecast in September.
Argentine soybean plantings were likely to be larger than expected but the 2011 crop would still be down from around 55 million tonnes harvested in early 2010, Oil World said.

Breaking News-RTRS-China importing more palm oil, Oil World says

HAMBURG, Oct 5 (Reuters) - China is increasing imports of palm oil partly because of lower prices compared to soyoil, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World said on Tuesday.
"China has reportedly stepped up purchases of palm oil on the world market recently, which will result in a notable recovery of palm oil imports from the low arrivals in August," Oil World said.
"Palm oil has improved its competitiveness vis-a-vis soyoil, stimulating recent purchases," it added.
Asian fob palm oil prices were about $115-$137 a tonne cheaper than U.S. and Brazilian soyoil in the past week, Oil World data showed.
Malaysia's September palm oil exports surged 21.3 percent on the month in September, partly because of a rise in shipments to China to 302,000 tonnes from 133,000 tonnes in August, Oil World noted.

Trader's Highlight

DJI_NEW YORK, Oct 5 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rallied to nearly a five-month high on Tuesday on growing conviction that central banks will do even more to bolster struggling economies worldwide.

The Bank of Japan lit the fuse overnight when it unexpectedly cut rates closer to zero and said it would pour money into the markets through asset purchases. This move came as markets increasingly believe the U.S. Federal Reserve will stimulate the world's largest economy in a similar fashion.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 193.45 points, or 1.80 percent, to 10,944.72. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 23.72 points, or 2.09 percent, to 1,160.75. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> jumped 55.31 points, or 2.36 percent, to 2,399.83.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 5 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended nearly 2 percent higher on Tuesday, the highest close in five months, as a slumping dollar due to a surprise easing by the Bank of Japan prompted buying of oil and a broad array of other commodities.

A prolonged dock strike at a key French port that threatened to affect U.S. imports of European gasoline also supported the day's rise in crude futures.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for November delivery settled up $1.35, or 1.66 percent, at $82.82 a barrel, the highest close since May 3 when front-month crude ended at $86.19. It climbed to a session high of $82.99 which marked the loftiest since May 4's intraday peak of $86.24.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex futures close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - November up 17-3/4 cents at $10.71-3/4 a bushel. Support from a falling dollar, gains in crude oil in addition to support from soaring gold and equities.

CBOT-SOYOIL - October up 0.37 cent at 43.47 cents per lb. Boosted by gains in soybeans and firm crude oil.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Global vegetable oil markets rose on Tuesday as traders took some positions on concerns over the impact of weather on soy growing and palm oil producing areas.

China's financial markets will only open on Friday after the week-long National Day holidays, giving few cues to regional traders.

Strong rains in Malaysia's palm oil producing regions may lift prices as floods and prolonged exposure to rains may hurt yield quality and curb supplies.

Although news of crop-friendly rains in oilseed growing regions of South America and the Black Sea region that were earlier under a dry spell have added to the bearish sentiment.

Benchmark Malaysian palm oil prices <0#KPO:> gained 29 ringgit to close at 2,705 ringgit ($875.4). The same contract fell to two-week lows due to sell-off in grains markets after a report of huge U.S. corn stockpiles the previous day.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets rebounded from early falls to finish up slightly on Tuesday, buoyed by foreign inflows and steps towards monetary policy easing by Japan's central bank.

The move by the Bank of Japan sparked a climb in the Nikkei and helped to reverse some earlier slumps across Asia triggered by a fall on Wall Street and weaker oil and metals prices.

Malaysia <.KLSE> led the region, finishing up at almost 0.7 percent, with the country's smallest cellphone service provider, DiGi.com <.DSOM.KL>, climbing 18.1 percent.

Singapore <.FTSTI> came back after earlier falls to finish on 0.16 percent, pulling back from a two-year high reached a day earlier following a falls on Wall Street overnight.

Shares of Singapore commodity firm Olam International fell as much as 4.8 percent on profit-taking amid news of a merger with Louis Dreyfus.

Breaking News-RTRS-Malaysia palm oil stocks currently lower-minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil stocks now stand at around 1.7 million tonnes, Commodities Minister Bernard Dompok said on Monday.
That represents a 1.3 percent drop from August levels probably due in part to strong exports outpacing a seasonal rise in output in the world's No. 2 producer of the vegetable oil.
Industry regulator Malaysian Palm Oil Board will next week report stock figures, which often drive benchmark prices, for September. In August, inventories jumped 22.6 percent to 1.72 million tonnes -- a six month high.
Dompok said 2010 output was "not too far off" the official target of 17.8 million tonnes. The government had at the start of this year forecast production to be above 18 million tonnes.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell in light trading on Monday as investors took profits on recent gains, using middling economic data and worries about euro zone debt as a catalyst for shedding long positions.

Commodities stocks led the decliners in reaction to the rising dollar. The greenback was stronger as investors shifted away from the euro, which fell about 0.8 percent versus the dollar in late trading, on renewed concerns about euro-zone public debt. The S&P materials index <.GSPM> led the decline, falling 1.4 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> fell 78.41 points, or 0.72 percent, at 10,751.27. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> lost 9.21 points, or 0.80 percent, at 1,137.03. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dropped 26.23 points, or 1.11percent, at 2,344.52.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended slightly lower on Monday, snapping a three-day winning streak, as a stronger dollar and weaker U.S. equities weighed on prices.

But losses were limited as the market was earlier supported by a strike in France's top oil port and as movements were halted at the key Houston Ship Channel after a barge accident, affecting crude inflows to four large refineries in the area.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for November delivery settled down 11 cents, 0.13 percent, at $81.47 a barrel, after trading as high as $82.38, the highest since prices hit an intraday high of $82.67 on Aug. 6. It traded as low as $80.77.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Monday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - November down 3 cents at $10.54 a bushel. Lower on active harvest of a likely record large U.S. soybean crop and a firm dollar.

CBOT-SOYOIL - October down 0.39 cent at 43.10 cents per lb. Spillover pressure from lower soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Global vegetable oil markets fell sharply on Monday, infected by a sell-off in grains markets after a report of larger-than-expected U.S. corn stockpiles.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said last week the U.S. corn stockpile hit its largest level in four years as the autumn harvest opened in September.

And this week the grains markets continued their selloff, dragging on Malaysia's benchmark palm oil prices <0#KPO:> which dropped 2.5 percent to close at 2,666 ringgit ($864.2) after touching a two-week low.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Monday as positive spillover from a broad Asian rally increased investor appetite in the region, with energy shares a focus of buying interests amid high global oil prices.

Capital inflow helped boost share prices, outweighing a prospect of slowing Southeast Asian economic growth and the region's relatively high valuations.

Asian stocks shot to a two-year high on Monday, boosted by interest in emerging markets, while the dollar edged up after last week's sell-off, though speculation the Federal Reserve will add to money supply was still rife.