Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 17 (Reuters) - The S&P clung to a two-year high on Friday as investors predicted a pause as volumes are expected to dry up in the days ahead, and after a 5 percent gain already so far in December.

The last two weeks of the year are traditionally quiet, and therefore market moves are less meaningful to the overall trend, which took the S&P 500 to a two-year high early this week.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 7.34 points, or 0.06 percent, to 11,491.91. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 1.03 points, or 0.08 percent, to 1,243.90. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 5.66 points, or 0.21 percent, to 2,642.97.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 17 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended the week higher on Friday on economic optimism after two closely watched indicators showed that the recovery was gathering steam, outweighing concerns about euro zone fiscal troubles.

Passage in the U.S. Congress of a tax cut bill late Thursday was supportive for the energy markets as it would put more money into consumers' pockets and that was seen boding well for oil demand, analysts and traders said.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude settled up 32 cents, or 0.36 percent, at $88.02 a barrel, trading from $87.01 to $88.52.

CBOT- Chicago, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy closing trends on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 9-3/4 cents at $12.98-3/4 per bushel; new-crop November up 16-3/4 at $12.29-3/4.

CBOT-SOYOIL - January up 0.06 cent at 54.13 cents per lb.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures dropped to a two-week low on Friday as market players squared positions on worries over weak overseas demand ahead of export data early next week.

Benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives fell 2.2 percent to 3,503 ringgit ($1,143.631) a tonne after going as low as 3,471 ringgit -- a level unseen since December 1.

REGIONAL EQUITIES- COLOMBO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets edged up on Friday in thin volume, helped by better economic news from the United States, but concerns about the global economy still left most of the indexes down on the week.

Indonesia <.JKSE>, the region's best performer with a 41.3 percent rise this year, lost 4.4 percent this week. Vietnam <.VNI>, the region's worst performer in 2010, outperformed on the week with a 2.6 percent gain.

However, on Friday the mood brightened after an unexpected rise in factory activity in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region, a dip in jobless claims for the second week plus a rise in housing starts.

On Friday, Jakarta gained 0.3 percent, the Philippines <.PSI> closed 0.4 percent firmer and Malaysia <.KLSE> rose 0.2 percent. Vietnam jumped 1.1 percent and Singapore <.FTSTI> 0.2 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 16 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks, bucking a trend of late-day selloffs, ended higher on Thursday as economic bellwether FedEx offered a bullish profit outlook that augured well for broad growth.

Stocks that performed well in 2010 were among Thursday's biggest gainers as investors sought to boost returns by the year's end. Advancing stocks outnumbered decliners by more than two to one on both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 41.78 points, or 0.36 percent, at 11,499.25. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 7.64 points, or 0.62 percent, at 1,242.87. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 20.09 points, or 0.77 percent, at 2,637.31.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 16 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices settled lower on Thursday, amid signs of year-end position squaring and with concerns about the euro zone economy also helping to weigh on oil prices.

Position squaring could also have been prompted as the January crude contract's Monday expiration approaches. The ICE Brent January crude contract expired on Thursday.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude fell 92 cents, or 1.04 percent, to $87.70 a barrel, trading from $87.63 to $88.65.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex closing trends on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 7-1/2 cents at $12.89 per bushel. Disappointing export sales weigh on prices along with falling crude oil market.

CBOT-SOYOIL - January down 0.13 cent at 54.07 cents per lb. Weak soybeans, crude oil weigh.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell to one-week lows on Thursday on profit-taking due to lacklustre exports data, but supply concerns kept a lid on prices.

The benchmark March 2011 crude palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives dropped 0.9 percent to 3,583 ringgit ($1,141.992) per tonne, after touching the lowest since Dec. 8 of 3,569 ringgit. Overall traded volumes were 13,521lots of 25 tonnes each, slightly above the usual 10,000 level.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Thursday on concern over the global economy, with Indonesia and the Philippines hitting their lowest in more than two weeks after further foreign outflows.

Indonesia <.JKSE>, the region's best performer with a 41 percent rise this year, fell 2.4 percent, led by banks, its fifth straight drop taking it to its lowest close since Nov. 30.

It suffered foreign outflows of $119 million after $121 million in foreign selling the previous day, Reuters data showed. Bangkok saw foreign outflows of $19.7 million.

The Philippines <.PSI> closed 1.2 percent down, with $19 million of foreign money flowing out, and Malaysia <.KLSE> dropped 0.8 percent to its lowest since Dec. 1. Singapore Airlines , the world's second-biggest carrier by market value, fell 1.3 percent, a day after it released its load factor for November, which was lower than October's.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 15 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks suffered a third straight late-day sell-off on Wednesday, suggesting it may be difficult to chalk further gains as the year comes to a close.

After hitting two-year highs this week, a sustained rise in Treasury yields has sparked worry that rising borrowing costs could stifle the recovery. Banks, heavily dependent on loan demand, faded and ended lower for a third straight day. The sense among investors is that the market, after rising almost 11 percent so far in 2010, has run its course for the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> slipped 19.07 points, or 0.17 percent, to 11,457.47. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> shed 6.36 points, or 0.51 percent, to 1,235.23. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dropped 10.50 points, or 0.40 percent, to close at 2,617.22.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 15 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures prices rose on Wednesday, lifted by government data showing the biggest weekly drop in U.S. crude inventories in eight years, much more than the drop expected by analysts.

Supportive U.S. industrial activity data also helped bolster oil prices after they earlier had been affected by U.S. euro-zone debt worries following a warning on Spain's credit rating. The stronger dollar on the heels of that warning helped limit oil's gains.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude rose 34 cents, or 0.39 percent, to settle at $88.62 a barrel, having traded from $86.83 to $89.09.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex closing trends on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 1/2 cent at $12.96-1/2 per bushel. Good export demand boosts prices early but market gives up most of its gains as dollar firms throughout the trading day.

CBOT-SOYOIL - January down 0.89 cent at 54.20 cents per lb. Losing ground to soymeal as oil/meal spreads unwind.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures retreated from near three-year highs on Wednesday, sapped by weaker overseas demand and crude oil prices, but losses were capped by tight supply concerns.

Benchmark February crude palm oil futures fell 0.8 percent to 3,669 ringgit ($1,172.767)per tonne, after touching a 33-month high of 3,766 ringgit the previous day. Overall traded volume more than doubled to 20,825 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Indonesia's stock market fell to a two-week low on Wednesday, led by banks, and most other Southeast Asian markets were lower after Federal Reserve comments that highlighted the weakness of the U.S. recovery.

Indonesia <.JKSE>, the region's best performer with a 44 percent rise this year, fell 0.9 percent to its lowest close since Dec. 1.

Indonesia is trading at 14.9 times this year's projected earnings, the highest in the region, compared to all-Asia's 13.3. Thailand is trading at 12.5, lower than the 13.9 in Malaysia, 13.8 in Singapore and 13.4 in the Philippines, Thomson Reuters
StarMine data shows.

Most other stock markets in the region closed down after the Fed said the U.S. economic recovery was still too weak to bring down unemployment. The Philippines <.PSI> fell 1.4 percent to a two-week low, Singapore <.FTSTI> ended 0.9 percent weaker at its lowest close since Nov. 30, Thailand <.SETI> lost 0.2 percent and Malaysia <.KLSE> edged down 0.1 percent. All these markets saw light volume compared to their 90-day average.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 14 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks cut gains to end mostly flat after a late-day sell-off on Tuesday as yet another cautious statement from the Federal Reserve on the economy offset strong retail sales data for November.

With trading volume still anemic, the afternoon's drop could be a sign that the major indexes have hit the upper range of a rally that has propelled them all to recent two-year highs.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 47.98 points, or 0.42 percent, at 11,476.62. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 1.13 points, or 0.09 percent, at 1,241.59. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 2.81 points, or 0.11 percent, at 2,627.72.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Tuesday after Federal Reserve policy makers said the economic recovery remained too slow to bring down unemployment and it would continue its program to buy government bonds to stimulate the economy.

The Fed's view of the economy helped extend crude oil's losses late in the session, outweighing support from positive U.S. economic reports and cold weather.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for January delivery settled down 33 cents, or 0.37 percent, at $88.28, trading from $87.74 to $88.95.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex closing trends on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 6-1/2 cents at $12.96 per bushel. Market closes lower as dollar firms and crude oil prices weaken throughout the trading day.

CBOT-SOYOIL - January down 0.28 cent at 55.17 cents per lb. December soyoil expired quietly at 54.80 cents per lb, down 0.30 cent.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures hit more than two-and-a-half-year highs on Tuesday amid firmer soyoil in China and worries over weaker production in the monsoon season, before paring some gains to settle 1 percent lower.

The benchmark Malaysian palm oil contract fell 42 ringgit to 3,680 ringgit ($1,171.975)on profit taking after touching an intraday high of 3,766 ringgit. Overall traded volume more than doubled to 24,180 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Philippine stocks rose on Tuesday, led by energy shares, but other Southeast Asian markets closed flat, with few investors inclined to alter portfolios much at this stage of the year.

The Philippines <.PSI>, the region's third-best performer this year, rose 0.8 percent, snapping three straight falls in which the bourse lost 2.5 percent.

Singapore <.FTSTI> ended down 0.2 percent in light trading, Vietnam <.VNI> edged down 0.1 percent in the highest volume in a year, while Malaysia <.KLSE> closed flat.

In Singapore, the market edged down but smaller-cap companies, in particular Singapore-listed China shares, or S-chips, outperformed their larger peers after strong Chinese retail sales data and the absence of any interest rate rise.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 13 (Reuters) - The Nasdaq closed lower to end eight straight days of gains on Monday as some large-cap tech stocks slid in a late-day sell-off.

The Dow cut its gains and the S&P 500 ended a thinly traded session flat as optimism faded over China's move to tame its growth, and as some technical indicators suggested a near-term pullback could be in the cards.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 18.24 points, or 0.16 percent, to end at 11,428.56, well off its intraday high of 11,480.03. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> inched up a mere 0.06 of a point, or 0.00 percent, to finish at 1,240.46. But the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> fell 12.63 points, or 0.48 percent, to close at 2,624.91.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 13 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rebounded on Monday after data showed strong demand in China last month and as OPEC kept output policy intact over the weekend.

China did not raise interest rates over the weekend even though inflation soared to a 28-month high of 5.1 percent last month. While that eased market anxieties for the moment, investors remain worried that China would move for an increase in the near future.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude settled up 82 cents, or 0.93 percent, at $88.61 a barrel, trading from $87.44 to $89.49.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Soybeans, corn and wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were higher near midday, bolstered by the lower U.S. dollar, which fell following China's decision to keep its interest rates unchanged, traders said.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 24-1/2 cents at $12.97-1/2 per bushel. Firmer crude oil market, weaker dollar supportive to soybeans.
USDA reported export inspections of U.S. soybeans in the latest week at 33.536 million bushels, below trade estimates of 42 million to 47 million.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December up 0.95 cent at 54.74 cents per lb; January up 0.96 at 55.12 cents. Firm crude, expected gains in soybeans to lend strength at open.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures hit a 30-month high on Monday, bolstered by concerns over supply tightness during the monsoon season and a firmer Chinese soyoil market.

The benchmark February 2011 crude palm oil contract was up 2.5 percent at 3,722 ringgit ($1,187.999) per tonne, after touching a high of 3,736 ringgit -- a level unseen since June 2008. Overall traded volume more than doubled to 26,915 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Indonesia's stock market fell 1.5 percent on Monday, but most other Southeast Asian bourses were narrowly mixed in thin trading as some investors stayed away, apparently wanting time to digest tightening measures in China.

Indonesia's fall <.JKSE> to its lowest close since Dec. 1 was led by finance shares, and banks elsewhere in the region dropped, too, some analysts attributing that to worries about the impact of China's increase in banks' reserve ratios, the third in a month.

Indonesia is trading at 15.2 times this year's projected earnings, the highest in the region, and compared to all-Asia's 12.6. Thailand is trading at 12.5, lower than the 13.8 of Singapore and 13.9 of Malaysia, Thomson Reuters StarMine data show.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 10 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Friday, with the S&P 500 at its highest level since the week Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008, and breaching technical levels that suggest the year-end rally will persist.

Indexes closed near session highs with the Nasdaq Composite up for its eighth consecutive daily gain; in that time, the tech-heavy index is up 5.5 percent. The Nasdaq finished at its highest level since Dec. 31, 2007. Volume was below average as is typical for this time of the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> added 40.26 points, or 0.35 percent, to 11,410.32. The Standard & Poor's 500 <.SPX> gained 7.40 points, or 0.60 percent, to 1,240.40. The Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> rose 20.87 points, or 0.80 percent, to 2,637.54.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 10 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Friday, posting the first weekly loss in three as China raised bank reserve requirements to fight inflation.

China's action spurred further speculation that it may raise interest rates soon, a move that could cool down demand from the world's largest energy consumer.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude settled down 58, or 0.66 percent, at $87.79 a barrel, trading from $87.10 to $89.00. It fell from the $90.76, 26-month high hit on Tuesday.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 8-1/2 cents at $12.73 per bushel. Lower on technical selling and profit-taking after USDA's U.S. soybean ending stocks forecast came in slightly above trade estimates.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December unchanged at 53.79 cents per lb; January up 0.01 at 54.16 cents. Following declines in soybeans and crude oil.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil rose on Friday on a larger than expected stock draw, fuelling concerns the monsoon season will slash output further.

Palm oil marked its second straight week of gains despite exports falling sharply in the first ten days of December after consumers switched to competing soyoil that does not solidify in colder weather.

The benchmark Feb 2011 crude palm oil on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange ended up nearly 1 percent at 3,633 ringgit ($1,156), edging closer to a 29-month high hit the day before. Traded volumes more than doubled to 23,408 lots of 25 tonnes each from the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets closed lower on Friday on concerns over further policy tightening by China and persistent worries about Europe's debt crisis, but Indonesia and the Philippines continued to see significant inflows.

Indonesia <.JKSE>, the region's best performer in 2010, saw foreign inflows of $327.9 million foreign inflow, the highest daily net offshore buying this year, Reuters data showed.

But the overall Jakarta market fell 1 percent from a record high led by banking shares, which were volatile throughout the week, which analysts attributed to heavy local buying in small cap banks. The bourse has gained 48 percent so far this year.

Singapore <.FTSTI> fell 0.8 percent on profit taking and Malaysia <.KLSE> closed 0.9 percent weaker on concerns over possible rate hikes in China over the weekend.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 9 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks edged up on Thursday, with the benchmark S&P 500 index hovering around two-year highs, a trend investors expect to continue through the rest of the year.

"A lot of traders thought the market would have a little bigger bump" after breaking a key technical level of 1,228 on the S&P, said Alan Valdes, director of floor trading for DME Securities in New York.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dipped 2.42 points, or 0.02 percent, to 11,370.06. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 4.72 points, or 0.38 percent, to 1,233.00. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 7.51 points, or 0.29 percent, to 2,616.67.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 9 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices ended sightly higher on Thursday on economic recovery optimism fueled by data showing U.S. jobless claims fell last week and on stronger gasoline futures lifted by a refinery unit outage.

Crude prices seesawed with a volatile dollar index <.DXY> amid concerns Ireland's debt problems pressuring the euro as Ireland had its debt downgraded by a ratings agency.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude rose 9 cents, or 0.1 percent, to settle at $88.37 a barrel, trading from $87.71 to $89.42.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 14-1/2 cents at $12.81-1/2 per bushel. Profit-taking after Wednesday's rally, firm dollar and position-squaring ahead of the release on Friday of USDA's December supply/demand reports. Downturn in crude oil adds pressure as d 1768169570

CBOT-SOYOIL - December down 0.01 cent at 53.79 cents per lb; January down 0.03 at 54.15 cents.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil rose to a fresh 29-month high on Thursday as investors bet heavier monsoon rains next month would cut production.

Investors also expected a stocks and production report by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board due on Friday to show a drawdown in inventories and lower yields at a time of resilient export demand.

The benchmark Feb 2011 crude palm oil on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose as much as 1.3 percent to 3,640 ringgit ($1,157), a level unseen since July 4, 2008, before giving up some gains to settle at 3,598 ringgit.

Traded volumes more than doubled to 22,294 lots of 25 tonnes each from the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets eked out small gains on Thursday, with Indonesia hitting a record high as local investors snapped up small banks due to hopes of strong earnings in 2011.

Indonesia <.JKSE>, the region's best performer this year with a 49 percent gain, closed 0.4 percent higher at an all-time closing high. The index also hit an intraday peak of 3,788.57, Reuters data showed.

Indonesia's MSCI index <.MIID00000PID> has risen 29.5 percent so far this year. Thailand's MSCI <.MITH00000PTH> index has outperformed the region with a 37.5 percent gain compared to Singapore's <.MISG00000PSG> 8.5 percent, Malaysia's 19.6 percent and the Philippines' 23.1 percent.

Thailand <.SETI>, despite foreign outflows of $6.1 million, rose 1.1 percent in thin volume, while Malaysia <.KLSE> gained 0.7 percent to a one-month high, Singapore <.FTSTI> edged up 0.2 percent and Vietnam <.VNI> added 1.7 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 8 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks edged higher on Wednesday as gains in financial and technology stocks offset declines caused by a recent surge in bond yields.

Bank stocks have risen 10 percent since the start of the month as benchmark yields have climbed enough to make lending and trading more profitable.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 13.32 points, or 0.12 percent, to 11,372.48. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 4.53 points, or 0.37 percent, to 1,228.28. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 10.67 points, or 0.41 percent, to 2,609.16.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 8 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices settled lower on Wednesday for a second straight day as sharp increases in U.S. fuel inventories and the dollar's strength pressured crude after it hit a 26-month peak above $90 a barrel in the previous session.

Although U.S. crude oil stocks fell more than expected, by 3.82 million barrels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, refined products stocks rose sharply.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude fell 41 cents, or 0.46 percent, to settle at $88.28 a barrel, trading from $87.33 to $88.99.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYMEAL - December up $2.40 at $345.40 a ton; January up $2.80 at $347.10.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December down 0.41 cent at 53.80 cents per lb; January up 0.38 at 54.18 cents.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil fell on Wednesday for the first time in over a week on a firmer U.S. dollar and weaker technicals, and as traders took profits from the run of gains.

But the market, which has risen 34 percent in 2010, may rally further if more monsoon rains lash oil palm estates in Malaysia and dry weather heightens the risk of a poor South American soy crop, traders said.

A jump in U.S. bond yields boosted the dollar for a second day after President Barack Obama proposed to extend Bush-era tax cuts, fuelling inflation concerns and questions about a stable recovery for the world's largest economy.

The benchmark Feb 2011 crude palm oil contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange ended 0.4 percent lower at 3,594 ringgit ($1,143) a tonne, easing from a 29-month high hit on Monday.

Traded volume more than doubled to 24,790 lots of 25 tonnes each from the usual 10,000 lots as traders booked profits after a public holiday on Tuesday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Dec 8 (Reuters) - The Indonesian stock market hit an all-time closing high on Wednesday, led by banking shares and helped by foreign buying, but other Southeast Asian markets ended mixed on concerns over euro zone debt and Chinese monetary tightening.

Indonesia <.JKSE>, the region's best performer this year, jumped 1.3 percent to close at 3,769.99, surpassing the previous peak hit on Nov. 10, Reuters data showed.

Singapore <.FTSTI> gained 0.3 percent to a near-three-week high and Malaysia <.KLSE> rose 0.6 percent to its highest since Nov. 11, both in high volume compared with their 90-day average. The Philippines <.PSI> gained 0.6 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks eked out a small gain on Tuesday as investors' enthusiasm over a tax cut extension deal was short-circuited by rising bond yields and reports regulators were stepping up an insider-trading probe.

The S&P 500 hit a two-year intraday high after U.S. President Barack Obama forged the deal with Republicans to renew Bush-era tax cuts.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 3.03 points, or 0.03 percent, to 11,359.16. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 0.63 points, or 0.05 percent, to 1,223.75. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 3.57 points, or 0.14 percent, to 2,598.49.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Tuesday for the first time in five session as the dollar rose, curbing risk trades, and doubts emerged on whether the reported tax-cut extension deal between Democrats and Republicans would push through.

Investors also booked profits as prices had risen a combined $5.27, or 6.3 percent, in the previous four sessions.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude settled down 69 cents, or 0.77 percent, at $88.69 a barrel, trading from $88.22 to $90.76, the highest since Oct. 8, 2008, when the intraday peak was $90.99.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex futures close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 3 cents at $12.85-1/28 per bushel. Declines in wheat, crude oil and gold offset support from strong Chinese soy demand and worries about dry weather in Argentina.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December up 0.26 cent at 53.39 cents per lb; January up 0.26 at 53.80 cents. Gaining against soymeal on oil/meal spreads.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil hit a 29-month high on Monday as a weaker dollar spurred risk-taking and on spillover support from wheat prices, which are being bolstered by concerns over Australia's grains output.

The dollar was on the defensive on Monday after the U.S. Federal Reserve said it was open to injecting more funds into the economy.

Palm oil has climbed by more than a third this year, with the biggest weekly gain so far this year last week on bullish forecasts from key industry analysts at an Indonesian conference and erratic weather hitting grains and oilseed regions.

The Malaysian crude palm oil contract jumped 2.8 percent to 3,618 ringgit ($1,150) a tonne, a level unseen since July 4, 2008, before settling at 3,610 ringgit.

Traded volume more than doubled from normal to 27,666 lots at 25 tonnes each on short covering ahead of a Malaysian public holiday on Tuesday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Thai stocks rose to a four-week high on Tuesday in thin trade, led by energy shares after a jump in oil prices, and some other Southeast Asian markets saw cautious buying due to guarded optimism about the global economy.

Thailand <.SETI>, the region's second-best performer this year, rose 0.6 percent after a long holiday weekend to its highest since Nov. 10, while late buying helped Singapore <.FTSTI> gain 0.3 percent, both in thin volume compared to their 90-day average.

The Philippines <.PSI> dropped 0.6 percent from a one-month high in light trade, with foreign outflows of $7.9 million, while Vietnam <.VNI> fell 1 percent from a two-month high. Both Indonesia <.JKSE> and Malaysia <.KLSE> were closed for holidays.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed their best week in a month on Friday, shrugging off tepid jobs growth in a sign that the rally may have further to run.

Stocks gained late in the day after reports that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said in a CBS television interview recorded on Nov. 30 that he does not rule out more than the announced $600 billion in Fed asset purchases. The interview with "60 Minutes" has yet to be televised.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 19.68 points, or 0.17 percent, to end at 11,382.09. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 3.18 points, or 0.26 percent, to 1,224.71. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 12.11 points, or 0.47 percent, to close at 2,591.46.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rallied for a third straight day on Friday, hitting the highest settlement level in 25 months on a weaker dollar and as heating oil rose sharply on cold weather.

Oil investors shrugged off a disappointing small increase in jobs created in November, leaning instead on a raft of recent economic indicators, which had signalled the economy was growing, albeit at a slow pace, analysts said.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for January delivery settled up $1.19, or 1.35 percent, at $89.19. That marked the highest close since Oct. 7, 2008, when front-month crude ended at $90.06.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 20-1/2 cents at $13.00-1/4 per bushel. Spillover support from soaring wheat with additional support from a lower dollar.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December up 0.61 cent at 53.08 cents per lb; January up 0.61 at 53.45 cents. Support from rally in soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Malaysia palm oil futures rose 0.4 percent on Friday, extending gains for a fifth day, as traders took positions on worries over possible supply shortages and on firmer grain markets.

Industry analyst Dorab Mistry, head of Indian-based Godrej International, said Malaysian palm oil futures will hit 3,600 ringgit ($1,141)in December and January on tight global vegetable oil supplies, driven by underperforming palm oil output in top suppliers Indonesia and Malaysia.

Oil World's Thomas Mielke and LMC Chairman James Fry also said Malaysian palm oil futures are set to rise sharply in the first quarter of 2011 in the three-day conference.

The Malaysian crude palm oil contract was up 16 ringgit to 3,516 ringgit ($1,115) a tonne. Overall traded volume rose to 12,897 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets were mixed on Friday as investors quickly cashed in gains in big caps, but appetite for resource shares remained firm as positive U.S. economic data boosted hopes for global demand.

Despite the day's losses, equities in the region performed better than last week as some investors covered short positions built up over the past month, dealers said.

The weekly gain was led by Vietnam's <.VNI> 5.55 percent, followed by Thailand's <.SETI> 4.27 percent.

Singapore's Staits Times Index <.FTSTI> finished down 0.8 percent on the day, weighed down by a 1.3 percent fall in Singapore Telecommunications , Southeast Asia's largest telecommunications firm.

Malaysia's main share index <.KLSE> eased 0.2 percent. Indonesia <.JKSE> ended flat, with its central bank keeping its policy rate unchanged as expected.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 29 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks edged down in a low-volume session on Monday on worries Europe's credit crisis will spread despite a weekend agreement to bail out Ireland.

But stocks finished well off their lows of the day as the dollar retraced some of its earlier gains and energy and financial stocks rallied late in the session.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 39.51 points, or 0.36 percent, to 11,052.49. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 1.64 points, or 0.14 percent, to 1,187.76. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 9.34 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,525.22.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 29 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rebounded more than 2 percent on Monday, fueled by a rally in gasoline and heating oil futures and geopolitical risks.

U.S. gasoline futures climbed to the highest level since May 5 -- a near seven-month high -- on the spot-continuation chart.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for January delivery settled up $1.97, or 2.35 percent, at $85.73 a barrel, trading from $83.59 to $85.83, the highest since Nov. 12's $87.85.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Monday.

CBOT-SOYMEAL - December down 50 cents at $336.30 a ton. Soyoil/soymeal spreading weighs on soymeal.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December down 0.03 cent at 49.87 cents per lb.
Weighed down by sag in soybeans but talk China was seeking palm oil and rising crude oil prices limit declines.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures hit a two-week high on Monday as caution receded after European authorities agreed to bail out Ireland and concerns grew over the weather in oilseed growing regions.

The price of the vegetable oil resumed a rally ahead of a price outlook conference starting in Indonesia on Wednesday from which traders are expecting bullish forecasts.

Benchmark February 2011 palm oil on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose as much as 112 ringgit, or 3.5 percent, to 3,390 Malaysian ringgit ($1,075) per tonne in the afternoon session before settling at 3,381 ringgit. Traded volumes almost doubled from the usual to 18,360 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets closed firmer on Monday in thin volume as positive sentiment over Ireland's bailout package provided relief, while Thailand gained after a court ruling removed worries there could be a forced change in government.

Risk-averse investors mostly stayed on the sidelines, waiting for clear direction over the euro zone debt crisis and the tension on the Korean peninsula.

Malaysia <.KLSE> gained 0.3 percent after falling as much as 1 percent in early trade, Vietnam <.VNI> rose for a fifth straight session, adding 1.5 percent to a two-week high, while Singapore <.FTSTI> recovered from an early 0.4 percent drop.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Commodity-related shares led U.S. stocks lower on Friday in a shortened post-holiday session, as investors unloaded risky assets on worries that euro-zone debt problems may continue to spread.

The U.S. dollar rallied while the euro slid to a new two-month low amid fears that Portugal and Spain could follow Ireland in needing bailouts to shore up their economies.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 95.28 points, or 0.85 percent, to end at 11,092. The Standard & Poor's 500 <.SPX> slipped 8.95 points, or 0.75 percent, to 1,189.40. The Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> lost 8.56 points, or 0.34 percent, to 2,534.56.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 26 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures prices settled slightly lower after seesawing in light, post-holiday trading volume on Friday, weighed down by Europe's debt crisis that pushed the euro to a two-month low against the dollar.

But reduced throughput in a Canada-U.S. crude oil pipeline, a refinery snag in Texas and geopolitical tensions helped limit losses by crude oil futures and crude futures prices posted a gain for the week.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude fell 10 cents, or 0.12 percent, to settle at $83.76 a barrel, trading from $82.78 to $84.53.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 16-1/2 cents per bushel at $12.38-1/2. Higher dollar, lower crude oil and lower equities weigh on market with further pressure from news China will be auctioning soybeans on Dec. 3.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December down 0.34 cent per lb at 49.90. Following soybeans, with lower crude oil also weighing.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR,Nov 26 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell on Friday as a stronger dollar prompted some profit taking although concerns over the monsoon hurting output limited losses.

Strong China demand for U.S. soybeans, which are crushed into oils, supported vegetable oil markets amid the government's call for banks to support the agriculture sector facing shortages in corn and other crops.

The benchmark February 2011 crude palm oil contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange shed 0.4percent to 3,264 Malaysian ringgit ($1,042) per tonne by midday. The market jumped to its highest in three days the previous day. Traded volume stood at 5,300 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Friday in light volume, with Philippine shares leading losses this week as regional economic growth slows, but appetite for newly listed firms appeared healthy.

Manila's main index <.PSI> shed 1.07 percent, at one point hitting a two-month low, after the Philippine economy unexpectedly contracted in the third quarter, raising concerns of slowing corporate earnings growth.

Singapore <.FTSTI> and Malaysia <.KLSE> both snapped two days of gains. Thailand's SET index <.SETI> fell for a third straight session to a one-week low, while Indonesia's index <.JKSE> lost almost 2 percent, reversing its previous session's gains.

In Kuala Lumpur, newly listed Petronas Chemicals shares ended 5.4 percent higher than the offered retail price of 5.04 ringgit. The stock jumped over 13 percent in early trade as investors piled into the $4.1 billion IPO, Southeast Asia's largest ever. Its sheer size is a sign that demand for Asian stocks remains firm despite jittery global markets.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Wall Street rallied as U.S. stock investors put aside worries about swirling global problems on Wednesday, turning to improvement in the labor market and signs consumers are ready to open their wallets ahead of the biggest shopping day of the year.

New claims for unemployment benefits hit their lowest level in more than two years last week while consumer spending rose for a fourth straight month in October, suggesting the economy is nearing a self-sustaining recovery.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> jumped 150.91 points, or 1.37 percent, to 11,187.28. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 17.62 points, or 1.49 percent, to 1,198.35. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 48.17 points, or 1.93percent, to 2,543.12.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose more than 3 percent on Wednesday, lifted by data that suggested economic recovery is improving and by pre-Thanksgiving holiday short covering.

While U.S. crude inventories rose last week against expectations they would fall, the rise in the government's weekly inventory report was less than the jump industry reported on Tuesday, leaving brokers and analysts relieved.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude rose $2.61, or 3.21 percent, to settle at $83.86 a barrel, trading from $80.97 to $84.25. The day's peak was reached in post-settlement data.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 16 cents per bushel at $12.55. Brisk demand for cash soy including news of a huge sale of U.S. soy to China and support from concerns about dry weather in portions of South America's crop region. Also support from a rebound in corn futures and a technical bounce after the recent slide in prices.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December up 1.02 cents per lb at 50.24. Spillover support from higher soybeans and supportive U.S. Census Bureau crush report.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rebounded from three-week lows on Wednesday on the back of a firmer overseas soy complex and expectations of strong overseas demand.

U.S. soy <0#S:> and soyoil futures <0#BO:> rose during Asian trading hours, driven by strong commercial buying and output pressure due to drier weather in Latin America.

The benchmark Feb. 2011 crude palm oil contract jumped as much as 3 percent earlier in the day, before paring some gains to close trade at 3,168 ringgit ($1,013). Overall traded volume was 7,200 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets regained lost ground on Wednesday a day after sell-offs triggered by Korean tension.

Singapore <.FTSTI> finished up 0.34 percent, reversing a 2 percent drop to a three-week low on Tuesday, as investors built up positions along with recovering Asian bourses, while Malaysia <.KLSE> gained its lost ground to end nearly unchanged.

Among gainers in the region, Singapore's casino operator Genting Singapore rose as much as 3 percent on bargain hunting after its recent sell-off made its valuation more attractive while Malaysian financial firm CIMB Group Holdings rose 0.4 percent.

Breaking News-RTRS - China to expand soyoil, soymeal futures trading limits, margin

BEIJING, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Daily trading limits for soyoil and soymeal futures on the Dalian Commodity Exchange will be expanded from Tuesday's settlement, the bourse said on Monday.
The upper and lower limits for the contracts would be expanded to 5 percent from 4 percent, while the trading margin would be lifted to 7 percent from 5 percent, the exchange said in a statement published on its website.
The move, aimed at preventing speculation and big fluctuations in futures prices, was likely to have little impact on the prices, which have been falling since earlier this month on concern over China's monetary tightening measures following surges in agricultural commodities prices, said analysts.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Bank shares weighed on Wall Street on Monday as Europe's smoldering debt crisis and fears of an insider trading probe in the United States sapped buying interest for most of the session.

But the Nasdaq fared better than the Dow and the S&P 500 after upgrades to chipmaker SanDisk Corp and chip-gear makers Amkor Technology Inc and Teradyne Inc .

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> fell 24.97 points, or 0.22 percent, to 11,178.58. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dipped 1.89 points, or 0.16 percent, to 1,197.84. But the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 13.90 points, or 0.55 percent, to 2,532.02.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 22 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower on Monday as euro slumped and the dollar strengthened due to uncertainty about how Ireland's debt bailout would be carried out.

Investors feared that financial problems may also affect
other euro zone countries saddled with debt. On the New York Mercantile Exchange,January crude settled 24 cents lower, or 0.29 percent, at $81.74, trading from $80.68 to $82.87.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, January crude settled 24 cents lower, or 0.29 percent, at $81.74, trading from $80.68 to $82.87.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Monday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January up 20 cents per bushel at $12.21-1/2. Supported by short-covering after the steep slide of prices on Friday and mounting concerns about dryness in Argentina. News Ireland would receive a bailout initially viewed as supportive as the dollar sagged but the dollar then turned firm.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December up 0.22 cent per lb at 49.18. Strength in soybeans offsets spillover weakness from a fall in Malaysian and Dalian palm oil futures.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures slid 4.4 percent on Monday after China's central bank stepped up controls on money supply and credit last week, a move that may limit the country's demand for vegetable oils.

China's central bank said on Friday it will raise cash reserve requirements on banks for the second time in two weeks, stepping up its battle to rein in prices before inflation has a chance to take off.

The benchmark Feb. 2011 Malaysia palm oil contract fell as much as 147 ringgit to 3,179 ringgit ($1,021) per tonne before settling at 3,184 ringgit. Traded volume more than doubled to 20,887 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets ended slightly lower on Monday, with concerns over China's policies weighing on Singapore's property shares and dampening sentiment in regional palm plantation stocks.

Across the region, risk aversion generally faded after global financial authorities agreed to save debt-swamped Ireland and safeguard Europe's wider financial stability, with Indonesia <.JKSE> reversing early losses to end 0.4 percent higher.

Singapore <.FTSTI> and Malaysia <.KLSE> each eased 0.2 percent, regaining early lost ground. The Philippines <.PSI> fell 0.4 percent and Vietnam <.VNI> slid 0.08 percent, after earlier dropping to 16-month lows.

In Singapore, property shares fell after China and Hong Kong took steps to cool their property markets, with City Developments down 3.2 percent and CapitaLand 0.8 percent lower.

Amongst losers, Malaysia's second largest palm oil conglomerate IOI Corp fell 0.3 percent and Singapore's Wilmar International Ltd slid 0.5 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Hopes Ireland's debt crisis will soon be resolved lifted investor sentiment and the euro on Friday even as U.S. oil prices slid after China sought to curb inflation for the second time in two weeks.

Wall Street rebounded late in the session, pulling along global stocks, on a rally in semiconductors. But the broad U.S. market finished just below a key psychological level, a sign shares could trade in a tight range through year's end.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 22.32 points, or 0.20 percent, at 11,203.55. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 3.04 points, or 0.25 percent, at 1,199.73. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 3.72 points, or 0.15 percent, at 2,518.12.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Nov 19 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell for the fifth session in six on Friday, wrapping up a second straight week of losses, as China increased bank reserve requirements to fight high inflation.

China's move, seen likely to temper consumption in the world's second largest oil consumer, spurred further speculation that it might increase interest rates.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for December delivery expired at the close and settled 34 cents lower, or 0.42 percent, at $81.51 a barrel, after trading from $80.59 to $82.75.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - January down 40-1/2 cents per bushel at $12.01-1/2. Nervous profit-taking after the big rally on Thursday. China's plans to rein in food inflation and news China will be selling vegoils from reserves adding pressure.

CBOT-SOYOIL - December down 1.96 cents per lb at 48.96. News China plans to sell vegoils from reserves weighing on soyoil futures.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil edged higher on Friday as anxieties over Irish debt crisis eased a little, although gains were limited by a likelihood of China interest rates hike.

But the market is still set to post its first weekly loss since September, driven earlier by some technical selling and concern Malaysian palm oil exports in the second half of November may slow on the recent strength in the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Feb 2011 palm oil on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange ended 8 ringgit up at 3,326 ringgit ($1,068) per tonne in choppy trade. Overall trade volumes more than doubled to 22,335 lots at 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets closed firmer on Friday as foreign inflows picked on easing concerns over the euro zone debt crisis.

Thailand <.SETI> saw the year's largest foreign inflows with $186 million, helping nudge the market up 0.4 percent following outflows of $318.7 million in six sessions through Wednesday.

Malaysia <.KLSE> rose 0.6 percent, led by financials with a 1.6 percent rise in Malayan Banking. Bucking the trend Singapore <.FTSTI> lost 0.6 percent on worries of possible rate increases in China and regional price controls.