Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Wall Street closed its best month in 20 years on a down note on Monday as the failure of trading firm MF Global Holdings Ltd and new worries about Europe's debt crisis hammered financial shares.

In a sign that Europe's woes were far from over, Italian and Spanish bond yields soared, prompting the European Central Bank to buy the debt, while shares of European banks came under heavy selling pressure.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 276.10 points, or 2.26 percent, to 11,955.01. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 31.79 points, or 2.47 percent, to 1,253.30. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 52.74 points, or 1.93 percent, to 2,684.41.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower for a second day in a row on Monday as investors trimmed holdings of risky assets after the dollar strengthened following Japan's intervention to curb the yen's gains.

But for October, crude futures finished more than 17 percent higher, the biggest monthly gain since May 2009, reflecting speculators' recent bullish bets as prices shifted to backwardation, in which the nearby contract is more expensive that outlying months -- usually a sign of tightening supplies.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for December delivery fell 13 cents, or 0.14 percent, to settle at $93.13 a barrel, after trading between $91.36 and $93.80.

CBOT-SOYBEANS, Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed lower on a strong dollar, falling equities and hesitant trading tied to the bankruptcy filing of futures broker MF Global.

U.S. export sales of soybeans have been dismal due to competition from Brazil. Some traders say the export season in Brazil could begin sooner in 2012, which could further depress demand for supplies from the United States.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures dropped on Monday, sliding along with other commodities as the dollar jumped on Japanese intervention to weaken the yen, and on continuing caution over the state of the global economy.

The dollar jumped to a three-month high against the yen and was up 1.2 percent against a basket of currencies <.DXY> after the Japanese move.

Benchmark January palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled down 1.1 percent to 2,938 ringgit ($959.034). Last week prices hit 3,007, a level not seen since Sept. 22.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Stocks in Indonesia and Singapore fell on Monday as investors locked in quick gains in market big-caps, showing their caution about the state of the global economy, but selective buying helped reverse losses elsewhere, including flood-hit Thailand.

Volume was low ahead of big events this week including central bank meetings, U.S. payroll data and a Group of 20 meeting that will be watched for coordinated efforts to stabilise financial markets.

Late selling sent Singapore's Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> 1.72 percent lower while Jakarta's Composite Index <.JKSE> ended down 1 percent. Malaysia <.KLSE> and Thailand <.SETI> erased early losses to post limited gains on the day.

Malaysia took in $63 million in inflows on Monday after $253 million last week while Indonesia reported $0.16 million in outflows after $253 million in inflows last week, Thomson Reuters and stock exchange data showed.

Among weak spots, Singapore's top lender, DBS Group Holdings Ltd , dropped 3.4 percent and Indonesian micro lender PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk eased 0.7 percent. Both had gained around 8 percent last week.

In Bangkok, investors picked commodity-related firms and stocks offering a high dividend yield, with the impact of the floods still fairly limited. Mobile operator Advanced Info Service Pcl hit a record high and coal miner Banpu Pcl gained 0.3 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 27 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks surged 3 percent on Thursday as an agreement by European leaders to help contain the region's two-year debt crisis lifted a cloud hovering over markets.

Optimism that a deal would be struck to prevent widespread financial distress fueled the market's rebound in October. The S&P 500 is up more than 13 percent this month, on pace for its biggest monthly gain since October 1974.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 339.51 points, or 2.86 percent, at 12,208.55. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 42.59 points, or 3.43 percent, at 1,284.59. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 87.96 points, or 3.32 percent, at 2,738.63.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 27 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures jumped more than 4 percent on Thursday, propelled by Europe's latest plans to tackle its debt problems, supportive U.S. economic data and the dollar's weakness as the euro rallied.

Euro zone leaders struck a deal with private banks and insurers for them to accept a 50 percent loss on their Greek government bonds in a plan to lower Greece's debt burden and try to contain the currency bloc's crisis.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, December crude rose $3.76, or 4.17 percent, to settle at $93.96 a barrel, trading from $90.74 to $94.25.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended up more than 2 percent, the biggest rise in two weeks, buoyed by a drop in the U.S. dollar after European leaders agreed on a plan to solve the region's debt crisis, traders said.

The U.S. dollar index <.DXY> was down nearly 1.9 percent by 1:20 p.m. CDT (1820 GMT), lifting a range of commodities. U.S. crude oil futures were up nearly 4 percent.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rose to a five-week high on Thursday, as a euro zone debt deal boosted investor sentiment, with higher crude prices and lower output expectations offering additional support.

Benchmark January palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed 1 percent higher at 2,980 Malaysian ringgit ($952) a tonne, after having earlier touched 3,007, a high not seen since Sept. 22.

Traded volumes for the January palm contract stood at 13,281 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared with 14,264 lots on Tuesday, before Wednesday's holiday in Malaysia for the Hindu Diwali festival of lights.


REGIONAL EQUITIES-Oct 27 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets gained on Thursday and foreigners were active buyers as a euro zone deal to lower Greece's debt burden and boost the zone's rescue fund increased investors' appetite for risk.[ID:nL5E7LR04T]

AB Capital Securities equities analyst Jose Vistan said the worst-case scenario may have been avoided but the boost to confidence may be temporary.

Singapore <.FTSTI>, outperforming the region, jumped 2.8 percent to a seven-week high led by banks and property shares with the day's trading volume jumping to 1.84 percent of its 30-day average.

Indonesia enjoyed foreign inflows of $66.2 million and Manila $12.7 million. Thailand saw net offshore buying of $39.2 million and Malaysia $85.6 million.

The day's trading volume in Kuala Lumpur was 1.65 percent of its 30-day average and 1.43 percent in Jakarta.

In Singapore, property firms with exposure to China jumped on hopes that Beijing may loosen policy after Premier Wen Jiabao pledged to maintain appropriate credit growth.

Singaporean banks also helped the overall market to gain with top lender DBS rising 2.8 percent and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp and United Overseas Bank adding 1.9 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 26 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday as the slow progress from European leaders in resolving their debt crisis was enough to satisfy investors, even if early reports from an EU summit were short on detail.

The euro zone aims to leverage its 440 billion euro bailout fund "several fold," but details are not expected until November, according to a draft statement obtained by Reuters.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 162.42 points, or 1.39 percent, to 11,869.04. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX><.INX> rose 12.94 points, or 1.05 percent, to 1,241.99. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 12.25 points, or 0.46 percent, to 2,650.67.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Wednesday as concerns about rising U.S. inventories added to caution about Europe's ability to agree on a plan to address the debt crisis.

U.S. oil futures dropped 3 percent, leading the complex lower and widening the contract's discount to European Brent crude by nearly $1, partially retracing two days of heavy selling on the spread.

ICE Brent crude for December fell $2.01 to settle at $108.91 a barrel. U.S. December crude traded down $2.97, settling at $90.20 a barrel.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell as the dollar firmed on worries about the outcome of a crucial European Union summit seeking solutions to the euro zone debt crisis, traders said. Spillover weakness from crude oil, corn and wheat added pressure.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rose to a near one-month high on Tuesday, buoyed by export data and expectations of lower output, with additional support from optimism over a possible solution to the euro zone's debt problems.

Uncertainty about just how close European Union leaders will come to solving the euro zone debt crisis kept many markets trading in a tight range on Tuesday.

Benchmark January palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange ended 2.1 percent higher at 2,951 Malaysian ringgit ($941) a tonne, their highest since Sept. 26.

Traded volumes for the January palm contract stood at 14,264 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared with 12,213 lots on Monday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-HONG KONG, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stocks were mixed on Wednesday as Indonesia eked out gains with foreign investors continuing to tiptoe back but caution over a euro zone debt summit later in the day.

Public holidays in Singapore and Malaysia kept regional market turnover light.

Thailand's benchmark stock index <.SETI> ended the day down 0.4 percent as the country's worst flooding in five decades threatened Bangkok.

Indonesia's market <.JKSE> closed up 0.8 percent, helped by a 5.5 percent bounce for
state-controlled PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN) on the firm's plan to lift prices and improve margins.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 21 (Reuters) - The S&P 500 posted its third straight week of gains on Friday, lifted by optimism before this weekend's summit of European leaders and strong earnings from blue-chip stocks.

U.S. stocks rose in a broad rally to their highest levels since early August after a volatile week.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 267.01 points, or 2.31 percent, at 11,808.79. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 22.86 points, or 1.88 percent, at 1,238.25. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 38.84 points, or 1.49 percent, at 2,637.46.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended higher on Friday to post a third straight week of gains, helped by renewed hope for a solution to the euro zone debt crisis, though France and Germany differed on how to reach that goal.

Bickering between the two European powers is forcing EU leaders to meet twice -- on Sunday and Wednesday -- to try to draw a comprehensive strategy to resolve the crisis.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for December delivery settled at $87.40 a barrel, rising $1.33, or 1.55 percent, after trading between $85.95 and $88.89.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell as
traders liquidated long positions amid uncertainty ahead of a
weekend European Union debt-crisis summit, traders said.

Traders exited long soy/short corn positions and unwound bull-spreads as well as selling outright long positions in soybeans.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures inched up on Friday as investors waited for a weekend meeting of euro zone leaders for signs of resolving the region's debt crisis that could plunge the world into recession if left unchecked.

Palm oil futures are set for their smallest weekly gain in October with prices see-sawing this week on conflicting reports over European governments reaching a deal to contain the crisis that could slow economic growth and commodity demand.

Benchmark January palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 0.6 percent to 2,883 ringgit ($921.292) before going as high as 2,903 percent.

Traded volumes were light at 21,057 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 25,00 lots as most of the market was cautious ahead of the European summit.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Singaporean and Thai stocks edged up on Friday as better-than-expected earnings lured buyers to big caps but others in Southeast Asia gave up early gains as fund flows to the region slowed ahead of a European summit on Sunday.

A choppy trading session, with markets moving in a narrow range, reflected nervousness over the long-running saga of the euro zone's debt problems.

Singapore's Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> and Thailand's SET index <.SETI> gained almost 1 percent, led by a 1.9 percent rise in Singapore rig builder Keppel Corp Ltd and a 4.5 percent surge in top Thai lender Bangkok Bank Pcl .

Stocks in Indonesia <.JKSE>, Malaysia <.KLSE> and the Philippines <.PSI> ended flat. Vietnam <.VNI> climbed 1.8 percent, adding to Thursday's 0.6 percent rise.

Indonesia and Malaysia reported outflows on Friday of $34 million and 5 million ringgit ($1.6 million) respectively, while the Philippines had $1.9 million in inflows, Thomson Reuters and stock exchange data showed.

Breaking News-RTRS - Palm oil output at 300,000 T in 2011- Bakrie Sumatera

JAKARTA, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Palm oil output at Indonesia's Bakrie Sumatera will rise by more than 35 percent this year to 300,000 tonnes, Ambono Janurianto, chief executive at the planter, said on Thursday.
Earlier this year, the Bakrie Group's agricultural unit forecast 2011 output at 280,000 tonnes compared with 220,000/230,000 tonnes last year.
The production rise was due to some plantations coming into peak yield, Janurianto said in February.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 20 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks and the euro rose on Thursday after France and Germany said they would press ahead to solve the euro zone debt crisis, despite setbacks that meant the details might not be settled at a weekend European Union summit.

France and Germany confirmed in a joint statement that euro zone leaders will discuss a solution at the summit on Sunday.

At the close, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 37.16 points, or 0.32 percent, at 11,541.78. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 5.51 points, or 0.46 percent, at 1,215.39. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 5.42 points, or 0.21 percent, at 2,598.62.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 20 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower for a second day on Thursday, pressured by liquidations ahead of the front-month November crude contract's expiration and economic data pointing to slow growth.

Existing home sales fell in September, but initial jobless claims declined last week while mid-Atlantic factory activity rebounded in October, economic data showed.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, the November crude contract expired and settled at $85.30 a barrel, down 81 cents, or 0.94 percent, after trading from $84.10 to $86.94.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell for a fourth straight day on the unwinding of long soy/short corn spreads and disappointing weekly U.S. export sales, traders said.

The spot CBOT soybean/corn spread rose 71-1/2 cents per bushel last week, with soy outgaining corn, but has given back about 58 cents since then as traders booked profits.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures dropped on Thursday as investors' avoided risky assets on concerns that a key European leaders' summit may not reach a consensus on the debt crisis in the region.

Losses, however, were limited as market players came back later in the session as the market was seen as oversold.

Palm oil prices have see-sawed for this week on conflicting reports over European governments reaching a deal to contain the crisis and recapitalise banks in the region.

Benchmark January palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled down 0.9 percent at 2,866 Malaysian ringgit ($923). The contract earlier fell to an intra-day low of 2,822 ringgit, coming close to a one-week low hit on Tuesday.

Traded volumes stood at 31 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 12,500 lots as more market players returned to take up positions.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Thursday as investors cut exposures to riskier assets across the board ahead of a key European leaders' summit on Sunday, with flood concerns sending Thai stocks to their lowest in almost two weeks.

The region has been choppy this week with jitters over the progress of European efforts to avoid sovereign debt defaults. Market players appeared wary of news flows about euro zone debts and booked quick gains, but most stayed on the sidelines.

Singapore <.FTSTI> fell nearly 1 percent and Malaysia <.KLSE> eased 0.6 percent, both to around one-week lows. Indonesia <.JKSE> and the Philippines <.PSI> snapped Wednesday's rebounds, ending down 1.7 percent and 0.6 percent respectively.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 19 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell and the euro edged lower on Wednesday after optimism faded that European leaders will make substantial progress on resolving the euro zone debt crisis at their summit meeting this weekend.

The Federal Reserve's Beige Book report suggested the U.S. ecomomic outlook grew dimmer in September, also sapping sentiment.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> fell 72.43 points, or 0.63 percent, to end at 11,504.62. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 15.50 points, or 1.26 percent, at 1,209.88. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 53.39 points, or 2.01 percent, at 2,604.04.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 19 (Reuters) - U.S. crude fell more than 2 percent on Wednesday as persistent concerns about Europe's debt problems offset supportive U.S. government inventory data showing crude oil stocks fell sharply last week.

Plans to tackle the euro zone debt crisis have stalled with Paris and Berlin at odds over how to increase the firepower of the region's bailout fund.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude fell $2.23, or 2.52 percent, to settle at $86.11 a barrel, having swung from $85.87 to $89.51.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell 2.1percent, their third straight lower close, as traders took profits by unwinding long soybean/short corn spreads, traders said.

Front-month CBOT soybeans gained more than 71 cents over spot corn last week, driven by bullish soy data in USDA's Oct. 12 supply/demand report and a Goldman Sachs note that predicted soybean prices would out-grain corn.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures bounced on Wednesday on improving sentiment after a news report said European policy makers will increase financial firepower to resolve the region's debt woes.

Although euro zone officials denied the reported agreement to increase the bailout fund by five-fold, global financial markets rose on expectations that a deal was imminent.

Benchmark January palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 2 percent to 2,892 ringgit ($922). The previous day, the contract dropped to 2,817 ringgit -- the lowest since Oct. 11.

Traded volumes stood at 29,646 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 25,000 lots as more market players took up positions.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Stocks in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines rose on Wednesday but concerns about the euro zone debt crisis capped gains and helped pull down other markets in Southeast Asia, with weakness in bank stocks further depressing Thailand.

In general, bargain-hunting lent support to the region but trading volume was light and dominated by short-term traders.

Malaysia <.KLSE> and the Philippines <.PSI> gained 0.7 percent and 0.9 percent respectively. Singapore <.FTSTI>, Thailand <.SETI> and Vietnam <.VNI> lost 0.2 percent, 1.5 percent and 0.8 percent respectively.

Singaporean oil rig builder Sembcorp Marine Ltd rose as much as 4.2 percent, lifted by news a subsidiary had won a $100 million contract in Australia. Malaysia's oil and gas services provider Kencana Petroleum Bhd rose 3.7percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 18 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks surged late in trading on Tuesday as buyers latched onto another report of agreements to strengthen the euro zone's rescue fund to bid up stocks aggressively.

All three major indexes rose sharply after a Britain's Guardian newspaper said France and Germany will increase the euro zone's rescue fund to 2 trillion euros as part of a plan to resolve the sovereign debt crisis.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> ended up 180.05 points, or 1.58 percent, at 11,577.05. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 24.52 points, or 2.04 percent, at 1,225.38. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 42.51 points, or 1.63percent, at 2,657.43.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 18 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures gained more than 2 percent on Tuesday, rebounding sharply from Monday's loss, as Wall Street rose on bank earnings, that overshadowed slower Chinese growth and Europe's debt troubles.

In early trade, prices fell as China's third quarter growth rate came in as the slowest pace in two years and Moody's warned it may slap a negative outlook on France's triple-A credit rating.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for November delivery settled at $88.34 a barrel, gaining $1.96, or 2.27 percent, after trading between $85.55 and $88.61. The contract expires on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended modestly lower on renewed concerns about the global economy, a lack of fresh demand news and favorable soy planting weather in South America, traders said.

Growth in top soy buyer China slowed in the third quarter to its weakest pace since early 2009.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures dropped to their lowest in a week on Tuesday as Europe's debt problems continue to fester and China reported slightly slower economic growth, raising concerns of slower commodity demand.

The market extended losses for a second day after Germany's finance minister cautioned on Monday that a definitive solution would not be reached at the Oct. 23 European union summit and Moody's warned France of a negative outlook.

Benchmark January palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled down 1.4 percent to 2,835 ringgit ($919). Earlier in the session, the contract dropped to 2,817 ringgit -- the lowest since Oct. 11.

Traded volumes stood at 26,981 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets pulled back on Tuesday as big caps and commodity stocks gave up recent gains on concern about prospects for Europe to contain its debt crisis and a slowdown in Chinese growth.

The selling that ended the region's rally of the past week came in light trading volume. Short-term traders and trading portfolios that dominated recent buying appeared to cash in quick gains, traders said.

Stocks in Singapore <.FTSTI>, Thailand <.SETI> and Malaysia <.KLSE> each fell almost 2 percent on Tuesday while the Philippines <.PSI> and Vietnam <.VNI> were down more than one percent.

Among actively traded stocks, Singapore's oil rig maker Keppel Corp Ltd fell 4.4 percent, one of the hardest hit in the Straits Times Index, as investors took profit from cyclical stocks that were more volatile and oil prices fell.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks suffered their worst loss in two weeks on Monday after comments from Germany's finance minister caused investors to fear Europe's solution to its debt crisis may not come fast enough.

The S&P index had risen for two straight weeks for the first time since July, riding a wave of euphoria built on optimism that European leaders had a newfound commitment to tackle a crisis that threatened financial stability and global growth.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 246.58 points, or 2.12 percent, at 11,397.91. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 23.72 points, or 1.94 percent, at 1,200.86. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 52.93 points, or 1.98 percent, at 2,614.92.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 17 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell on Monday as investors were dismayed by German finance minister's forecasts that an EU summit this weekend would not present a definitive solution to the region's debt crisis, curbing investors' risk appetite.

The euro fell against the dollar after Wolfgang Schaeuble's comments as it dashed recent hopes that a durable solution to the region's troubles could be attained soon.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for November delivery settled at $86.38 a barrel, down 42 cents, or 0.48 percent, after trading between $85.88 and $88.18.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures fell 1.5 percent, snapping a five-session winning streak due to pressure from the ongoing U.S. harvest, traders said.

A firm dollar that weighed heavily on all commodities also added pressure to the soybean market, which rose 10 percent last week.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures ended down 1.3 percent on Monday, falling sharply from an earlier three-week high after comments from the German finance minister and also on expectations of a larger U.S. soybean crop for crushing into edible oil.

Palm oil prices, which gained five percent last week, came under pressure along with other commodities after Germany's Finance Minister said European governments would not present an ultimate solution for the debt crisis this week.

Benchmark January palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose as much as 1.1 percent to 2,946 ringgit -- the highest since Sept. 2.

The contract then gave up all its gains and more to settle 1.3 percent lower at 2,876 ringgit, with sell orders coming in the last minute.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets gained on Monday amid hopes that euro zone policy makers will come up with a plan to solve the region's debt woes, with resource shares rising with commodity prices and lower interest rates lifting Indonesian developers.

Markets in the region hit multi-week highs, along with regional currencies, as investors flush with cash after a sell-off in the previous quarter plucked up the nerve to return.

Malaysian shares <.KLSE> climbed 1.6 percent to the highest in more than five weeks. Stocks in Singapore <.FTSTI>, Thailand <.SETI>, Indonesia <.JKSE> and the Philippines <.PSI> gained more than 1 percent to the highest in more than 3 weeks.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Global stocks and the euro rallied on Friday over growing optimism that Europe is on track to resolve its festering sovereign debt crisis and after data showed a surprising surge in U.S. retail sales.

The benchmark S&P 500 posted back-to-back weekly gains for the first time since early July while the euro headed for its best week in nine months against the U.S. dollar and gold marked its biggest weekly rise in six weeks.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> closed up 166.36 points, or 1.45 percent, at 11,644.49. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 20.92 points, or 1.74 percent, at 1,224.58. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 47.61 points, or 1.82 percent, at 2,667.85.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures settled at a three-week high on Friday, regaining strength after two days of losses, on a jump in retail sales and rising hopes that the euro zone debt crisis would be contained.

U.S. monthly retail sales rose 1.1 percent in September, better than forecast, and adding to recent data showing that the economy was on the mend, although slowly.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for November delivery settled at $86.80 a barrel, rising $2.57, or 3.05 percent, the highest close since Sept. 20, when prices ended at $86.89

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed higher for a fifth straight session, buoyed by a setback in the U.S. dollar, firm cash markets and hopes that China might buy more U.S. soy, traders said.

Market also lifted by long soy/short corn spreading amid tightening U.S. soybean stocks.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures extended gains to hit a two-week high on Friday and posted a near 5 percent increase this week, as a positive export outlook and expectations of Chinese soy re-stocking, offset economic uncertainty.

Benchmark December palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed up 2.2 percent at 2,906 Malaysian ringgit ($925) a tonne.

Traded volumes were 10,894 lots of 25 tonnes each, versus 8,095 lots on Thursday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets gained on Friday as hopes of progress on the euro zone's debt problems helped ease concerns about the global economy and flood-hit Thai stocks steadied.

Investors locked in quick profits in some markets that pulled stocks in Malaysia <.KLSE> and Indonesia <.JKSE> slightly lower, while Singapore <.FTSTI> erased some of its early gains, ending up 0.4 percent.

Flows were mixed, with Jakarta reporting $19 million in outflows, Kuala Lumpur taking in 108 million ringgit ($34.5 million) in inflows and Bangkok posting $21.8 million in inflows, according to Thomson Reuters and stock exchange data.

Singapore's central bank eased monetary policy on Friday by containing the future pace of gains in its currency.

Trader's Highlight

DJI - NEW YORK, Oct 13 (Reuters) - The Dow and S&P 500 slipped on Thursday after JPMorgan's earnings and China's soft trade data revived worries about the impact of slower growth on profits.

The declines put an end to three straight days of gains that capped off a 12 percent increase in the S&P 500 since hitting a low on Oct. 4. The Nasdaq stayed in positive
territory, helped by semiconductor shares.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> fell 40.72 points, or 0.35 percent, to end at 11,478.13. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> shed 3.59 points, or 0.30 percent, to 1,203.66. But the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 15.51 points, or 0.60 percent, to close at 2,620.24.

NYMEX - NEW YORK, Oct 13 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures fell a second straight session on Thursday as soft economic data from China and a report showing rising crude stockpiles in the United States offset drops in product stocks that helped lift heating oil and gasoline futures.

China's trade surplus narrowed for a second straight month in September to $14.5 billion, with both imports and exports lower than expected, reflecting global economic weakness and domestic cooling.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude fell $1.34 to settle at $84.23 a barrel, trading from $83.17 to $85.39.

CBOT - SOYBEANS, Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended higher for a fourth session, gaining against corn on inter-market spreads a day after the U.S. government trimmed its U.S. soy crop and stocks estimates, traders said.

China, the world's top soy buyer, imported 4.13 million tonnes of soybeans in September, down 11 percent from the year-ago period, Chinese customs data showed. Traders expected imports to pick up for the rest of the year as crushing margins
improve.

FCPO - JAKARTA, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures closed lower on Thursday as the market booked profits after a U.S. report raised the outlook for grain supply that weighed on food commodities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture made sharply higher revision to global stocks of nearly every type of grain except or U.S. soybeans that are usually crushed to make competing soyoil.

Benchmark December palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange ended 0.7 percent lower at 2,844 Malaysian ringgit ($908) a tonne. The
previous day, the contract hit a near two week high.

REGIONAL EQUITIES - BANGKOK, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets edged up on Thursday as optimism that Europe will take concrete steps to contain its debt woes revived risk appetite but Thai floods hit manufacturing stocks.

Some markets scaled multi-week highs, with active trading volume for most, as foreign funds further built up positions. Malaysia's main share index <.KLSE> climbed 1.15 percent, rising for a third day to a four-week high.

Singapore-listed developers Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd and CapitaMalls Asia Ltd , which have Chinese properties, outperformed the benchmark Straits Times Index <.FTSTI>, boosted by a rally in their Chinese peers listed in
Hong Kong.