Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Friday on a combination of weak earnings from retailers, Senate backing for limits on credit card fees and concerns over the sustainability of European public debt.

Bank and credit card companies' shares slumped a day after the Senate voted to limit fees charged on credit and debit card transactions. The limits added to fears that beefed-up financial reform legislation could hurt profits in the sector. Visa's stock fell almost 10 percent. have trade -- three of those four were hit," he said.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 162.79 points, or 1.51 percent, to end at 10,620.16. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 21.76 points, or 1.88 percent, to 1,135.68. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 47.51 points, or 1.98 percent, to close at 2,346.85.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended lower for the fourth session in a row on Friday and extended losses for the second straight week on concerns the euro zone recovery may be stifled and amid high U.S. oil inventories.

Traders also were rolling positions on the NYMEX front-month June contract ahead of its expiration on May 20, to the July contract, also adding pressure.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, June crude settled down $2.79, or 3.75 percent, at $71.61 a barrel, the lowest close since Feb. 5's $71.19. It traded between $70.83, lowest since Feb. 8's $70.77 low. The day's high hit $74.13.

CBOT-CHICAGO, May 14 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - May expired down 12-1/2 cents per bushel at $9.48. July down 11 cents per bushel at $9.53-1/2. Weighed down by firm dollar, lower crude oil, low April soy crush number in Friday's NOPA crush report and plentiful global supply of soybeans.

CBOT-SOYOIL - May expired down 0.63 cent per lb at 37.17 cents per lb. July down 0.54 cent per lb at 37.51. Following soy and lower crude oil.

FCPO-JAKARTA, May 14 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell to the lowest close in more than three months on Friday as concerns over the outlook for Europe's economies rattled the market despite a weaker ringgit, traders said.

U.S. crude oil fell to a three-month low near $73 a barrel on Friday, dragged down by higher U.S. crude inventories and concerns that the European debt crisis would curb future energy demand growth. A stronger dollar also reduced the purchasing power of other currency holders for oil. [O/R]

The benchmark July crude palm oil futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 0.61 percent, or 15 ringgit, to 2,457 ringgit ($783.7) a tonne -- the lowest close since February 2.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, May 14 (Reuters) - Thai stocks eked out slim gains on Friday as investors bought beaten shares with positive corporate earnings, although political violence continued to dent broader market sentiment.

The index earlier fell to its lowest in two weeks as anti-government protesters battled troops attempting to seal off their encampment after an assassination attempt on a renegade general unleashed a new wave of violence.

Singapore <.FTSTI> slid 0.4 percent, with Singapore Telecommunications down 0.3 percent, extending its fall on Thursday after Southeast Asia's biggest telco warned of lower earnings from Singapore and India in the coming year.

Malaysia <.KLSE> was off 0.6 percent, while Sime Darby fell 4.6 percent after Sime said it had asked its chief executive officer, Ahmad Zubir Murshid, to take a leave of absence ahead of the expiry of his contract on Nov. 26, 2010. Analysts are upbeat on earnings outlook of listed firms after Malaysia recorded first quarter GDP growth of 10.1 percent, beating expectations.

Breaking News-RTRS-Malaysia's c.bank hikes rates by 25bps

KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Reuters) - Following is the full text of Malaysia's central bank which raised interest rates to 2.5 percent from 2.25 percent on Thursday.
TEXT: At the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting today, Bank Negara Malaysia decided to raise the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 2.50 percent. The floor and ceiling rates of the corridor for the OPR are correspondingly raised to 2.25 percent and 2.75 percent respectively.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, May 13 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Thursday as downbeat comments on the economy from tech company Cisco Systems Inc and retail chain Kohl's Corp cast doubt on the strength of the U.S. recovery.

Cisco's warnings about a still weak labor market and Kohl's saying it was unconvinced a recovery was at hand underscored the downbeat mood among investors alreadly rattled by fears of sovereign debt defaults in the euro zone. Cisco shares fell 4.5 percent to $25.53 and Kohl's lost 5.8 percent to $53.81.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 113.96 points, or 1.05 percent, to end at 10,782.95. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 14.23 points, or 1.21 percent, to 1,157.44. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 30.66 points, or 1.26 percent, to close at 2,394.36.

The S&P 500 gained 5.47 percent in the first three days of the week -- its biggest three-day run since July 2009. That was after last week's drop of 6.4 percent.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, May 13 (Reuters) - U.S. front-month crude oil futures fell a third consecutive session on Thursday, pressured by rising inventories, especially at the NYMEX Oklahoma delivery point, and concerns about economic recovery as euro zone struggles to contain its fiscal problems.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, June crude fell $1.25, or 1.65 percent, to settle at $74.40 a barrel, trading from $73.62 to $76.45. The $73.62 intraday low was the weakest front-month price since $72.66 was struck on Feb. 12.

CBOT-CHICAGO, May 13 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Thursday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July down 1 cent at $9.64-1/2 per bushel; new-crop November down 2-1/4 cents at $9.35-1/4. Spillover selling pressure from falling wheat and corn. Spot May held firm on rolling of short positions from the May into the July contract. May is in delivery status.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July down 0.38 cent at 38.05 cents per lb. Meal/oil spreading weighed on soyoil and lifted soymeal. Weak crude oil also weighed on soyoil.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Reuters) - Malaysia palm oil futures hit a more than three-week low on Thursday as a stronger ringgit and weaker crude oil weighed on market sentiment, prompting players to unwind some positions.

Crude oil prices were mixed in Asian hours, with the benchmark U.S. crude contract dropping below $75 a barrel, approaching a three-month low on record stockpiles in the U.S. Midwest. Malaysian ringgit rose 0.3 percent to 3.19 per dollar after the country's central bank raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 2.5 percent.

The benchmark July crude palm oil futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed down 1.4 percent or 35 ringgit to 2,472 ringgit ($772.5) a tonne after falling at one point to as low as 2,466 ringgit, a level unseen since April 2. Overall volume stood at 12,443 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, May 13 (Reuters) - Thai stocks fell to their lowest in nearly one week on Thursday after authorities imposed tougher action to end anti-government protests while other Southeast Asian stock markets were mixed amid easing euro zone worries.

Sentiment of the Thai market dampened after authorities said they would shut roads surrounding a site occupied by anti-government protesters on Thursday evening, sparking calls by demonstrators for reinforcements as tensions rise in the deadliest political crisis in 18 years.

Singapore <.FTSTI> lost 0.43 percent after earlier small gain, Malaysia <.KLSE> was up 0.21 percent and Vietnam <.VNI>, the smallest bourse, edged down 0.13 percent. Losers in Singapore were led by a 1 percent drop in Singapore Telecommunications after Southeast Asia's biggest telco warned of lower earnings from Singapore and India in the coming year having beat expectations with a 6.6 percent rise in quarterly profit.

Shares in Kuala Lumpur were higher before the release of first-quarter GDP growth which expanded by 10.1 percent in the quarter from a year ago, its fastest pace in 10years, signalling that recovery is firmly on track for the trade-dependent
Southeast Asian country. Berjaya Corp jumped 7.8 percent after company said it will buy from its major shareholder a 70 percent stake in a sports betting operator.

Maybank shares were up 1.6 percent before it announced, after the market closed, a better-than-expected third-quarter net profit.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, May 12 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks capped their best three-day run in 10 months on Wednesday, lifted by technology and industrial shares after Spain unveiled an austerity plan that reassured investors Europe was addressing its fiscal ills.

Spain said it will slash civil service pay and cut public-sector jobs, just a few days after EU finance ministers approved a 750 billion euro ($1 trillion) bailout package to stem the debt crisis, cheering investors.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 148.65 points, or 1.38 percent, to 10,896.91. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 15.88 points, or 1.37 percent, to 1,171.67. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 49.71 points, or 2.09percent, to 2,425.02.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, May 12 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures edged lower on Wednesday as concerns about economic recovery persisted and robust stockpiles kept front-month crude oil prices curbed ahead of the government's weekly inventory report.

Trading was choppy and a lowered demand growth forecast from the International Energy Agency added to the bearish tint to the market

On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10:00 a.m. EDT, June crude was down 10 cents, or 0.13 percent, at $76.27 a barrel, trading from $75.42 to $76.81.

CBOT-CHICAGO, May 12 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July down 1/2 cent at $9.65-1/2 per bushel. New-crop November unchanged at $9.37-1/2. Corn/soy spreading, firm dollar and lower crude oil combined to weigh in addition to lingering pressure from USDA's forecast on Tuesday for a larger ending stockpile of U.S. soy than analysts' average estimate.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July up 0.11 cent at 38.43 cents per lb. Unwinding of meal/oil spreads lifts soyoil and weighs on soymeal.

FCPO-JAKARTA, May 12 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures edged up on Wednesday as the ringgit weakened against the U.S. dollar, but investors were reluctant to take fresh positions.

The benchmark July palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose 0.08 percent, or 2 ringgit, to 2,507 ringgit ($803.9) a tonne, after rising as high as 2,516 ringgit. Overall volume traded was 6,747 lots of 25 tonnes each, well below the daily average volume of 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, May 12 (Reuters) - Thai stocks ended with small gains on Wednesday after the government said it would step up efforts to end damaging anti-government protests while other regional markets pushed higher despite euro zone debt woes.

The Thai market reacted positively to the authorities' move to end a rally that has closed a Bangkok commercial district for over a month but the protesters' defiance prompted late selling.

Other Southeast Asian stock markets gained, with Singapore <.FTSTI> up 0.8 percent, Malaysia <.KLSE> up 0.3 percent, Indonesia <.JKSE> 1.2 percent and the Philippines <.PSI> up 0.2 percent, extending a jump of nearly 4 percent on Tuesday after the country's presidential election. Vietnam <.VNI>, the smallest bourse, dropped 2.8 percent, with a small foreign net outflow for the session, Thomson Reuters data showed. Some shares fell after reporting quarterly results, with Singapore's Wilmar International easing 0.3 percent. Wilmar posted a 6 percent rise in first-quarter earnings but did not see strong volume growth lasting in 2010.

Breaking News-RTRS-OPEC, EIA lift 2010 oil demand forecasts

NEW YORK, May 11 (Reuters) - OPEC and the U.S. government
on Tuesday raised their estimates for world oil demand growth
in 2010, predicting an expansion in fuel consumption as world
economies emerge from the worst slowdown since World War II.
In a monthly report, OPEC forecast world oil demand would
rise by 950,000 barrels per day (bpd) this year, up 50,000 bpd
from its previous estimate. The U.S. Energy Information Agency
forecast that global demand would grow by 1.57 million bpd, a
110,000 bpd increase from its month-ago estimate.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, May 11 (Reuters) - The Dow and the S&P 500 fell in a volatile session on Tuesday as fears that a $1 trillion bailout for Europe won't solve the region's deep-seated problems blunted an improving U.S. economic picture.

In a session marked by little news and low volume compared with recent days, investors dumped stocks in afternoon trading as worries about Europe's ability to contain Greece's fiscal problems crept back into the market.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 36.88 points, or 0.34 percent, to 10,748.26. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 3.94 points, or 0.34 percent, to 1,155.79. But the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 0.64 points, or 0.03 percent, to 2,375.31.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, May 11 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rose in choppy trading on Tuesday, with refined products supportive and as OPEC raised its forecast for demand growth.

The bounce came even as the euro weakened and Monday's equities rally on the rescue package to stabilize the euro faded.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10:47 a.m. EDT (1447 GMT), June crude was up 48 cents, or 0.63 percent, at $77.28 a barrel, trading from $75.36 to $77.56.


CBOT-CHICAGO, May 11 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July up 5 cents at $9.66 per bushel; new-crop November up 2-3/4 at $9.37-1/2. Late round of fund buying boosted futures as did short-covering and spillover support from gains in corn.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July down 0.07 cent at 38.32 cents per lb. Light fund selling weighed.

FCPO-JAKARTA, May 11 (Reuters) - Malaysia palm oil futures fell to the lowest in nearly three weeks on Tuesday on a stronger ringgit and slow demand that prompted investors to unwind positions, but expectations of low inventories offered support to prices.

The benchmark July palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives fell 0.95 percent, or 24 ringgit, to 2,505 ringgit ($804.1) a tonne. That contract was the lowest since April 22.

Other contracts fell between 0.95 percent to 1.25 percent. Overall volume traded was 10,402 lots of 25 tonnes each, above the average daily volume of 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-COLOMBO/BANGKOK, May 11 (Reuters) - Philippine shares hit a one-week high on Tuesday after the country's presidential election, while other Southeast Asian markets ended mostly lower amid questions about a $1 trillion euro-zone debt-crisis package.

The Manila market welcomed the emergence of Benigno Aquino as a clear leader in vote counting and looked forward to a period of political stability plus efforts to tackle a large budget deficit.

Singapore <.FTSTI> and Thailand <.SETI> fell 0.9 percent and Indonesia <.JKSE> fell 1.3 percent on doubts about how Greece and other debt-laden euro-zone countries will reduce their budget deficits.

In Singapore, banking shares led the fall with United Overseas Bank losing 2.5 percent and DBS 1.6 percent.

Malaysia <.KLSE>, bucking the trend, rose 0.5 percent with a rise of over 2.5 percent in Genting Group .

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, May 10 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks racked up their biggest one-day gain in over a year on Monday as an agreement on a $1 trillion emergency rescue package from the EU quelled fears a new credit crisis would derail European economies.

The bailout fund approved by European leaders in the early hours of Monday drove the S&P 500 to its highest opening jump on record as indexes rushed back into positive territory for the year after last week's sharp slide.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 404.71 points, or 3.90 percent, to 10,785.14. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 48.85 points, or 4.40 percent, to 1,159.73. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 109.03 points, or 4.81 percent, to 2,374.67.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, May 10 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures rose sharply on Monday on news the huge rescue aid package attempting to stem the euro zone debt crisis that had rattled commodities and equities markets last week.

The euro rallied from last week's 14-month low against the dollar on Monday after policymakers agreed on a $1 trillion emergency package to stabilize the euro and euro zone central banks began buying local government debt.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10:14 a.m. EDT (1414 GMT), June crude was up $2.11, or 2.81 percent, at $77.22 a barrel, trading from $75.80 to $78.51.

CBOT-CHICAGO, May 10 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Monday.
NOTE: U.S. equities and crude oil markets climb following weekend news of a $1 trillion emergency package aimed at preventing Greece's debt crisis from spreading through the euro zone.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July up 1 cent at $9.61 per bushel; new-crop November up 1/2 at $9.34-3/4. Buoyed by weaker dollar, strength in equities markets. Nearbys gain on new-crop November on bull-spreading.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July down 0.05 cent at 38.39 cents per lb. Turning mixed after early strength; losing ground to soymeal on meal/oil spreads.

FCPO-JAKARTA, May 10 (Reuters) - Malaysia palm oil futures firmed on Monday to settle 0.4 percent higher supported by low opening stocks, while investors remain cautious because of the strengthening ringgit currency.

Malaysia's April palm oil stocks fell to a 7-month low due to the combination of overseas and local demand as well as sluggish output.

Industry regulator Malaysian Palm Oil Board reported the country's April palm oil stocks fell 2.0 percent to 1,62 million tonnes from a revised 1,65 million tonnes in March. The drop was smaller than the market's expectation of a 4 percent decline.

The benchmark July palm oil contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rebounded 0.4 percent higher, or 10 ringgit, to 2,529 ringgit ($808.77) a tonne, after hitting a low of 2,507 ringgit. Overall volume traded was 14,450 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared with the daily average volume of 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, May 10 (Reuters) - Indonesian stocks gained over 4 percent on Monday after strong first-quarter GDP, and other Southeast Asian markets gained as worries about euro zone debt eased after a European Union package to address the crisis.

Regional markets rallied after news of a plan put together by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to prevent a sovereign debt crisis from spreading.

Singapore <.FTSTI> rose 2.1 percent, Malaysia <.KLSE> was up 0.08 percent and Thailand <.SETI> rose more than 1 percent. In Singapore, banking shares reversed recent losses, led by a 3.7 percent surge to S$19.42 in United Overseas Bank . DBS posted a smaller gain of 1.95 percent to S$14.64.

In Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional rose 1.4 percent and financial CIMB Group was up 0.7 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, May 7 (Reuters) - Stocks fell in volatile trade around the world Friday on persistent fears the debt crisis in Greece could spread through the euro zone, while the dollar rose against the yen after strong U.S. jobs data.

The better-than-expected jobs figures, showing the U.S. economy added 290,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in April, gave only minimal support to risky assets. U.S. stocks traded lower and oil prices shed more than 2 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index posted their biggest weekly percentage declines since March 2009. The Nasdaq Composite Index had the largest weekly percentage fall since November 2008.

On Friday the Dow <.DJI> was down 113.59 points, or 1.08 percent, at 10,406.73. The S&P 500 <.SPX> was off 13.39 points, or 1.19 percent, at 1,114.76. The Nasdaq <.IXIC> was down 43.11 points, or 1.86 percent, at 2,276.53.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, May 7 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell sharply in volatile, choppy trading on Friday as concerns about the Greek fiscal problems spreading and uncertainty after Thursday's volatile moves by the stock market offset a positive U.S. nonfarm payrolls report.

The euro relinquished gains against the dollar on the concerns that Greece's debt crisis could spread to other euro zone countries, adding to the pressure on oil.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10:49 a.m. EDT (1449 GMT), June crude was down $1.77, or 2.3 percent, at $75.34 a barrel, trading from $74.51 to $78.19..

CBOT-CHICAGO, May 7 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Friday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July up 6 cents at $9.60 per bushel; new-crop November up 5-1/2 cents at $9.34-1/4.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July up 0.32 cent per lb at 38.44 cents per lb. Follows soybeans higher.

FCPO-JAKARTA, May 7 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell on Friday on weaker external markets, while lower-than-expected April stocks and output capped losses, traders said.

The benchmark July palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives fell 0.16 percent, or 4 ringgit, to 2,519 ringgit ($824.21) a tonne, after dropping as low as 2,484 ringgit -- a level unseen since April 22. Overall traded volume was 15,151 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual daily average of 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, May 7 (Reuters) - Thai stocks fell to a one-week low on Friday as investors became less hopeful of an end to political protests plaguing the economy, and euro zone debt worries dealt a blow to regional bourses despite strong quarterly results.

In Thailand, anti-government protesters said on Friday they would stay on the streets of Bangkok until the prime minister fixed a date to dissolve parliament.

Singapore <.FTSTI> fell 0.7 percent, but Malaysia <.KLSE> rose 0.08 percent, reversing from an early fall to six-week lows. Indonesia <.JKSE> dropped 2.5 percent to near-seven-week lows.

In Kuala Lumpur, shipper MISC ended up 0.3 percent. It fell earlier after lower-than-expected fiscal 2010 net profit while broker Affin investment bank kept its "reduce" rating on the stock.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, May 6 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks plunged as much as 9 percent on Thursday as losses caused by Europe's debt crisis turned into a stampede of automated selling, pushing the euro to an almost 14 month-low and gold to near record highs.

U.S. regulators investigated whether erroneous orders caused a 10-minute nose-dive that dragged the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> into its biggest ever intraday drop in terms of points, a fall of 998.5 points at its low point.

Nearly $1 trillion was wiped off U.S. equity values before prices clawed back much of their losses. The Dow, already down on concerns that Greece's debt crisis could spread to other euro zone countries, lost 651 points in under 10 minutes starting around 2:40 pm and then recovered all of that plunge within half an hour.

The index closed down 347.80 points, or 3.20 percent, at 10,520.32. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 37.75 points, or 3.24 percent, to 1,128.15. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 82.65 points, or 3.44 percent, to 2,319.64.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, May 6 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures slipped in choppy trading on Thursday, pressured by the stronger dollar and the euro's tumble on fears the Greek debt crisis may spread to other countries in Europe.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10:24 a.m. EDT (1424 GMT), June crude was down 60 cents, or 0.75 percent, at $79.37 a barrel, trading from $78.24 to $80.3.

CBOT-CHICAGO, May 6 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex at the close on Thursday.
NOTE: Tumble in equities market unnerved grain markets. Pressure also from higher dollar and lower oil.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July down 24 cents at $9.54 per bushel; new-crop November down 26-3/4 cents at $9.28-3/4.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July down 0.81 cent at 38.12 cents per lb. Lower with soybeans.

FCPO-JAKARTA, May 6 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures closed down on Thursday, tracking weaker crude oil prices, and expectations of lower palm oil output and stocks in April weighed on market sentiment.

The market will probably trade in a tight range in the near term, said one trader in Kuala Lumpur, adding that he saw the support and resistance levels for crude palm oil futures at 2,500 and 2,550 ringgit.

The benchmark July palm oil contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives fell 0.28 percent, or 7 ringgit, to 2,523 ringgit ($821.48) a tonne. Overall traded volume surged to 17,263 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared with the usual daily average of 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, May 6 (Reuters) - Indonesia's stock market fell to its lowest level in six weeks on Thursday in continued reaction to the announcement its reformist finance minister was quitting, and Greece's economic woes rattled other regional markets.

Jakarta continued to react negatively to Sri Mulyani Indrawati's decision to quit to join the World Bank in June although some analysts said the impact would be short-lived and the risk to economic policy was manageable.

Singapore <.FTSTI> eased 0.7 percent, Malaysia <.KLSE> lost 0.3 percent and Thailand <.SETI> dropped 1.5 percent. The Philippines <.PSI> edged down 0.3 percent, but Vietnam <.VNI>, Southeast Asia's best performer this year, ended up 0.3 percent.

In Singapore, the index dropped at one point to its lowest since March 5, led by banks and blue chips. United Overseas Bank dropped 1.1 percent and top developer CapitaLand was 0.8 percent lower.

Bucking the trend, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp gained 0.6 percent to S$8.64. Broker Citi raised its target price to S$9.9 and maintained a buy rating.

In Kuala Lumpur, Sime Darby fell 0.6 percent after broker CIMB downgraded its rating to neutral from a trading buy. Credit Suisse is keeping its underweight rating on Malaysian equities, but said the Southeast Asian market was "a relatively safe place to hide" given volatile global market conditions.

Breaking News-RTRS-Unilever unit says Indonesia remains key palm oil supplier

JAKARTA, May 5 (Reuters) - The Indonesian unit of Unilever , the world's top palm oil buyer, on Wednesday said it gets 65 percent of its palm oil from Indonesia despite halting purchases from a unit of market leader Sinar Mas Group.
Unilever, which uses palm oil in such products as Dove soap and Ben & Jerry ice cream, cancelled its annual 20 million pound ($30.27 million) contract with one of its Indonesian suppliers, PT SMART in December. SMART is part of Sinar Mas Group, Indonesia's biggest palm oil producer.
The move prompted speculation that Unilever might cut palm oil purchases from other Indonesian suppliers, but a spokeswoman for the company said it was still buying from Indonesia.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, May 5 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks sagged on Wednesday as more signs emerged that the fallout from the Greek debt crisis could spread to bigger European economies.

The euro hit a 14-month low as investors shunned the debt of weaker euro zone countries and jumped into safe-havens. U.S. Treasury prices and the dollar surged on fears Greece's debt problems could hinder global growth.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 58.65 points, or 0.54 percent, to 10,868.12. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 7.73 points, or 0.66 percent, to 1,165.87. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC>lost 21.96 points, or 0.91 percent, to 2,402.29.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, May 5 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures fell sharply on Wednesday, dropping below $80 a barrel as the euro weakened and ongoing concerns that the Greece debt crisis might spread to other euro zone countries kept investors risk adverse.

Rising U.S. inventories and demand concerns also weighed on the market after an industry group's weekly report on Tuesday showed crude supplies rose much more than expected.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT), June crude was down $2.85, or 3.44 percent, at $79.89 a barrel, trading from $79.15 to $82.83.

CBOT-CHICAGO, May 5 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July down 9 cents at $9.78 per bushel; new-crop November down 7-1/2 cents at $9.55-1/2. Pressure from unwinding of soy/corn spreads, prospects for a bumper U.S. soy crop, and pressure from a rallying dollar.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July up 0.25 cent at 38.93 cents per lb. Unwinding of meal/oil spreads supports soyoil and support from talk China may buy Brazil and/or U.S. soyoil because it is embargoing Argentine soyoil.

FCPO-JAKARTA, May 5 (Reuters) - Malaysia's palm oil futures rose on Wednesday after hitting a fresh two-week low as weaker crude oil and soy prices were offset by growing buying interest, traders said.

Benchmark July crude palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose 15 ringgit, or 0.6 percent, to 2,530 ringgit ($816.68) per tonne. Overall volumes shot up to 18,142 lots of 25 tonnes each from the daily average of 10,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-SINGAPORE, May 5 (Reuters) - Jakarta led the losers among Southeast Asian stock markets, dropping 3.8 percent, its biggest daily fall since December 2008, on news that its reformist finance minister is leaving her post to join the World Bank.

News of Sri Mulyani Indrawati's departure came on a day when heightened fears about Greece's debt woes spread to Asia, knocking the MSCI index of Asia ex-Japan stocks <.MIAPJ0000PUS> down by 1.9 percent.

Singapore's second largest bank OCBC recovered from early losses after it reported a 24 percent rise in first-quarter net profit, smashing analysts forecasts, but the stock finished flat.

Malaysia lost just over half a percent, led by planter Sime Darby which declined 1.5 percent.

NYMEX Crude Daily: entering into Bearish territory

Market was entering into bearish territory following prices drop sharply for consecutive 2 trading days and violated the physiological support at USD80.00. Thus, market may move sideways to lower in near term. As for now, we are looking for the immediate upside resistance at USD82.00-83.00, while downside support is lies at USD78.50-78.00.

Breaking News-RTRS-Palm oil stocks to fall, output sluggish-Oil World

HAMBURG, May 4 (Reuters) - A rise in global calendar year 2010 palm oil output will raise stocks, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World forecast on Tuesday.
It estimated global 2010 palm oil production at 46.9 million tonnes, up 1.6 million tonnes on the year, but lagging sharply behind rises of 2.0 million tonnes in 2009 and 4.4 million tonnes in 2008.
Of the 2010 output rise, Oil World estimated only 100,000 tonnes will come from key exporter Malaysia and 1.2 million tonnes from Indonesia.

Breaking News-RTRS-Oil World raises forecast of global soybean crop

HAMBURG, May 4 (Reuters) - Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World said on Tuesday it has raised its forecast of the global 2009/10 soybean crop to 258.2 million tonnes, up 2.7 million tonnes from its previous forecast in March and up by 46.5 million tonnes from last season.
This would be above Oil World's forecast global 2009/10 soybean consumption of 234.2 million tonnes.
There was "no doubt" that world soybean supplies were now becoming excessive, it said.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, May 4 (Reuters) - Investors dumped U.S. stocks on Tuesday in Wall Street's worst session in three months on the fear that even with a bailout for Greece, Europe's debt crisis could spread to other weak euro zone countries.

The sell-off echoed a wave of fear that gripped financial markets as investors fretted the crisis in Europe could derail the global economic recovery. A gauge of investor fear jumped more than 18 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> lost 225.06 points, or 2.02 percent, to 10,926.77. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 28.66 points, or 2.38 percent, to 1,173.60. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dropped 74.49 points, or 2.98 percent, to 2,424.25.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, May 4 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell sharply Tuesday on the euro's tumble against the dollar amid concerns about Greece's fiscal problems spreading and expectations that inventory reports will show rising U.S. stockpiles.

Market sources also pointed to easing concerns about the leaking oil in the Gulf of Mexico disrupting production and tanker traffic in the region.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10:51 a.m. EDT (1451 GMT), June crude was down $2.77, or 3.21 percent, at $83.42 a barrel, trading from $83.20 to $86.24.

CBOT-CHICAGO, May 4 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Tuesday.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July up 1/2 cent per bushel at $9.87 per bushel. New-crop November down 3-1/2 at $9.63. Short-covering and strong gains in soymeal lift nearly soy as did some spillover support from a strong rally in wheat while bull-spreading weighed on deferred months. November contract also weighed down by active seeding of the U.S. soybean crop.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July down 0.33 cent per lb at 38.68. Weighed down by lower crude oil, weak soy and meal/oil spreading.

CBOT-JAKARTA, May 4 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures closed 1.53 percent lower on Tuesday, dropping for a second straight session on lower crude oil prices and a bumper soy crop in South America, traders said.

The benchmark July crude palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 39 ringgit, or 1.53 percent, to settle at 2,515 ringgit ($807.56) per tonne. Overall trade volume was 9,276 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, May 4 (Reuters) - Thai stocks jumped more than 4 percent on Tuesday after the government proposed early elections as part of a plan to end a two-month-old political crisis, with tourism-related shares in demand.

Anti-government protesters were considering their response to the plan for November elections and other proposals aimed at healing social divisions.

The other main Southeast Asian markets weakened, with Singapore <.FTSTI> falling 1.5 percent, as investors booked profits in banking stocks even though they were expected to report positive quarterly results this week, a Singapore-based trader said.

DBS Group fell 1.6 percent, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp lost 1. percent and United Overseas Bank was off 2.1 percent.

Malaysia <.KLSE> was down 0.3 percent, with casino operator Genting off nearly 3 percent amid concern its Malaysian operations may come under pressure following the opening of a new casino in Singapore last month.

Malaysia <.KLSE> was down 0.3 percent, with casino operator Genting off nearly 3 percent amid concern its Malaysian operations may come under pressure following the opening of a new casino in Singapore last month.

FCPO Daily: Looks tiredness

Market looks little tiredness following prices close at the day low. Consolidation phase likely to extend in near term with immediate downside support is pegged at 2503-2497 followed by 2455. while, upside resistance is looking at 2565-2580 levels.

DJI Daily: Correction phase likely to continue

Correction phase looks is likely to continue in near term following prices tumbled further. Currently, we are looking for the immediate downside support at 10,800-10,700 levels. Violation of it may provide more room to bias downside potential. To the upside, resistance is pegged at 11,258.

FKLI Daily: Dark cloud covered

Dark cloud covered following prices touch and go at the fresh high at 1352.5 to close low. Thus, market still needed more strength to build up a concrete base. Thus, it may want to cover the left over gap at 1337.5-1334.5 levels. Next support will be looking at 1327 followed by 1320 levels. Upside resistance is looking at 1352.5.

Breaking News-RTRS-Reuters Summit-UPDATE 1-High yields boost Argentine soy outlook

BUENOS AIRES, May 3 (Reuters) - Argentina's 2009/10 soy harvest should exceed a record 54 million tonnes due to bumper yields in most areas, the president of Los Grobo, one of the country's leading agricultural companies, said on Monday.
Los Grobo provides logistical and grains storage services to farmers in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and it also produces soy, corn and wheat on some 250,000 hectares (nearly 618,000 acres) in the region.

FCPO Daily: Tight rangy mode

Market looks to move in tight range trading in between 2520-2580 levels.