Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 10 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks jumped 3 percent on Monday, extending gains into a second week as a pledge by German and French leaders boosted hopes that the euro-zone debt crisis may be resolved.

The gains lifted the S&P 500 above its 50-day moving average for the first time since late July, a bullish technical signal. The S&P 500 is now up about 11 percent since its low on Tuesday, when it briefly fell into bear-market territory.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> surged 330.06 points, or 2.97 percent, to end at 11,433.18. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> climbed 39.43 points, or 3.41 percent, to 1,194.89. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> shot up 86.70 points, or 3.50 percent, to close at 2,566.05.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 10 (Reuters) - U.S. crude rose on Monday for a fourth consecutive session, boosted by the promise from France and Germany to unveil a plan to address the region's debt woes and by a strike that halted Kuwaiti crude oil exports.

The leaders of Germany and France on Sunday promised to unveil new measures to solve the euro zone's debt crisis by the end of the month.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude rose $2.43, or 2.93 percent, to settle at $85.41 a barrel, trading from $82.75 to $86.09.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed up nearly 2 percent, joining a broad rally in commodities after France and Germany said they would come up with a plan to contain the euro zone crisis.

The U.S. dollar index <.DXY> slid nearly 1.6 percent on the news, buoying dollar-denominated commodities including grains and crude oil.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil rose as much as 1.7 percent on Monday, with prices supported by export data in second largest producer Malaysia and hopes that Europe's debt crisis will be resolved soon, but gains were capped by news of rising inventories.

The benchmark December palm oil futures <0#FCPO:> on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed 0.8 percent higher at 2,793 ringgit ($884) per tonne. It had earlier hit an intraday high of 2,818 ringgit a tonne.

Traded volumes for the December contract stood at 13,270 lots of 25 tonnes each compared with 12,133 lots on Friday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-Oct 10 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets gained on Monday in thin trade led by commodity-related shares as optimisim over the latest plan to solve the euro zone's debt crisis and positive U.S. job data lifted sentiment.

Thailand <.SETI> and Singapore <.FTSTI> rose 1.5 percent and 1.1 percent respectively, Indonesia <.JKSE> ended 0.7 percent firmer, and the Philippines <.PSI> added 0.8 percent to a three-week high.

Malaysia and the Philippines saw a net outflow of $5.6 million and $7.8 million respectively, while Jakarta's net foreign selling was $0.6 million. Thailand saw an outflow of $3.5 million.

In Singapore, commodity firm Wilmar International gained 3 percent while oil and gas firm STX OSV Holdings jumped 6.6 percent, outperforming the broad market. Malaysia <.KLSE> bucked the trend, closing 0.2 percent weaker.

Breaking News-RTRS - Buyers resell Indonesia crude palm oil after tax change, eye Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Foreign buyers sold back at least 200,000 tonnes of Indonesian crude palm oil to refiners since mid-September when Jakarta slashed export taxes on the processed grade and made minor cuts for duties on the crude grade, traders said on Friday.
The buyers -- including trading houses and processors -- have switched over to Malaysian crude palm oil from plantations who have not finished their tax free export quota on the grade, traders from Indonesia and Malaysia said.
Malaysia, the world's No.2 producer, imposes very high export taxes on crude palm oil to protect its refining industry but has allowed for firms such as Sime Darby and IOI Corp to export the grade without any duties.

Breaking News-RTRS - ANALYSIS-India could burn fingers with aid to domestic palm refiners

KUALA LUMPUR/NEW DELHI, Oct 7 (Reuters) - India's plan to hike a domestic levy on refined palm oil, designed to protect its refiners from cheaper exports by top palm oil producer Indonesia, will backfire in the absence of rival suppliers to meet the appetite of the south Asian nation.
The world's top edible oil buyer could end up spending more on Indonesian crude palm oil , which has risen as high as $84 over benchmark Malaysian futures after Indonesia raised taxes on the crude in the middle of September.
At the same time, Indonesia halved taxes on refined palm oil so as to boost exports as part of its tax system that aims to encourage downstream industries, secure domestic supplies and reduce volatility in cooking oil prices.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 7 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday, but European and Asian equities markets mostly finished higher, after several days of gains supported by assurances that European banks would be recapitalized to help deal with a potential debt default by Greece.

After falling on Monday to the worst levels in 13 months, the three major U.S. stock indexes finished Friday's session with gains for the week -- helped by encouraging U.S. jobs data, which prompted some buying late in the day. But those gains quickly vanished as investors switched focus near the close to focus on downgrades of the credit ratings of Spain and Italy.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> ended Friday down just 20.21 points, or 0.18percent, at 11,103.12. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 9.51 points, or 0.82 percent, at 1,155.46. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dropped 27.47 points, or 1.10 percent, at 2,479.35.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Speculators cut their net long positions in U.S. crude oil futures and options in the week to Oct. 4 when prices slipped, data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission showed on Friday.

Hedge funds and other large investors reduced their net long positions on the New York Mercantile Exchange by more than 8,500 contracts to end Tuesday at 146,304. U.S. crude oil futures dropped from $84.45 a barrel on Sept. 27 to $75.67 a barrel on Oct. 4.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell modestly on Friday, pressured by favorable U.S. harvest weather and spillover from a broader sell-off in commodities after the debt of Italy and Spain was downgraded, traders said.

The U.S. dollar <.DXY>, which had weakened earlier, supporting commodities, reversed course and firmed after the moves by credit rating agency Fitch added to the bad news in Europe's credit and banking crisis.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil fell on Friday and notched its worst weekly showing since June as short-sellers tapped on concerns of euro zone debt plunging the world into a recession.

The sellers, led by a major Singapore-listed planter with assets in Asia, had earlier pushed the market lower for much of the week. At one point the market hit a one-year low of 2,754 ringgit.

The benchmark December palm oil futures <0#FCPO:> on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled down 1.3 percent to 2,772 ringgit ($872) per tonne.

Overall traded volumes were light at 21,749 lots of 25 tonnes each from the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Some Southeast Asian stock markets pushed higher on Friday as buyers picked up commodity-related and big-cap shares following moves by euro zone policymakers to solve the bloc's debt crisis, although trade was cautious ahead of U.S. job data.

The region's markets had a choppy session in light to moderate trading volume, with short-term traders shifting money into selected blue chips that may have been oversold in the recent downturn.

Singapore <.FTSTI> climbed 1.4 percent as a rise in oil prices lifted energy-related stocks, led by a 5.6 percent surge in rig builder Keppel Corp Ltd .

Malaysia <.KLSE> gained 0.5 percent amid optimism about the 2012 budget that was unveiled during the afternoon. Traditionally, stocks in Malaysia rise ahead of budget day on expectations about government spending but fall afterwards, traders said.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Oct 3 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks slumped in heavy volume to a 13-month low on Monday as investors dumped bank shares on fears that Greece's worsening financial crisis could cause a large European lender to fail.

Investors pegged losses to the sharp fall in Franco-Belgian financial group Dexia , which fell 10 percent after a Moody's warning about its liquidity due to concerns about exposure to Greece.

Markets have feared European officials will be unable to prevent Greece's fiscal crisis from turning into a global banking crisis. Greece said it will miss its deficit targets this year and next, which could limit the country's ability to receive more aid.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 258.08 points, or 2.36 percent, to 10,655.30. The S&P 500 <.SPX> fell 32.19 points, or 2.85 percent, to 1,099.23. The Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> lost 79.57 points, or 3.29 percent, to 2,335.83.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 3 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell
more than 2 percent on Monday to the lowest settlement in 12 months, as fears that Greece might default on its debt outweighed positive U.S. economic data on manufacturing, construction and new vehicle sales.

Crude futures extended losses for a second day after dropping 17 percent for the third quarter, which ended on Friday, the worst performance for U.S. crude since the fourth quarter of 2008, at the height of the financial crisis.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for November delivery dropped for a second straight day and settled at $77.61 a barrel, falling $1.59, or 2.01 percent, after trading from $76.85 to $79.64. It was the lowest settlement for front-month crude since Sept. 28, 2010, when prices ended at $76.18.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade fell,
extending Friday's sell-off, as a firm dollar prompted more fund
long liquidation, traders said.

Selling also was triggered by forecasts for beneficial harvest weather in the U.S. Midwest, traders said.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures tumbled to one-year lows on Monday on concerns that the euro zone's deepening debt crisis will stall global economic growth and commodity demand.

Palm oil prices, which have lost more than a quarter so far this year, took another hit after funds liquidated their positions in global grains and vegetable oil markets to close up third-quarter books.

Benchmark December palm oil futures <0#FCPO:> on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell as much as 2.7 percent to 2,827 ringgit ($885.51) a tonne, the lowest since Oct. 8 last year. The contract later settled at 2,845 ringgit. Overall traded volumes stood at 25,008 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Stocks in Indonesia and Thailand tumbled more than 5 percent on Monday, leading the rest of Southeast Asia lower as commodity-related shares were hit by fears about the global economy as the euro zone debt crisis dragged on.

Local currencies weakened as offshore funds cut exposure to the region. The unresolved problems in Europe plus the risk of recession in the United States made investors wary of returning to riskier assets.

World stocks also kicked off the final quarter of the year sharply lower as concern grew that a broad Greek debt default may be in the works after figures showed Athens would miss a deficit target.

By 0923 GMT, the MSCI world equity index <.MIWD00000PUS> was down 1.26 percent while the MSCI's broadest index of Asia Pacific shares outside Japan <.MIAPJ0000PUS> had dropped 3.5 percent.

Commodities-related shares led losers amid a weak outlook
or demand and prices. Thailand's top energy firm, PTT , sank 6.2 percent to the lowest in more than a year.

Malaysia's Petronas Chemicals dropped 1.4 percent and Indonesian coal miner Adaro Energy slid 6.4 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 30 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended their worst
quarter since the depths of the 2008 credit crisis, crippled by Europe's debt debacle, a U.S. credit downgrade and a sputtering global economy.

A steep slide on Friday closed out a fifth month of losses as weak economic data from China sparked fears of a global economic slowdown while investment bank Morgan Stanley plummeted on concerns about its exposure to European banks.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 240.60 points, or 2.16 percent, to 10,913.38. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 28.98 points, or 2.50 percent, to 1,131.42. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 65.36 points, or 2.63 percent, to 2,415.40.


NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 30 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures slumped more than 3 percent on Friday, posting the weakest quarterly performance since since the fourth quarter of 2008, as concerns about global economic growth pressured oil prices.

Weak manufacturing indicators from China, ongoing concerns about Europe's sovereign debt problems and a stronger dollar helped push oil lower.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude fell $2.94, or 3.58 percent, to settle at $79.20 a barrel, trading from $78.75 to $83.23.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell 4 percent in sympathy with corn after the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported larger-than-expected U.S. Sept. 1 corn stocks, traders said.

CBOT soybeans fell 19 percent for September -- the biggest monthly drop in three years -- and ended the quarter down 9 percent.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil edged slightly higher on Friday, supported by expectations of higher demand for edible oils ahead of an Indian festival, with gains capped by lingering worries over the euro zone debt crisis.

Benchmark December palm oil futures <0#FCPO:> on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange ended up 0.24 percent to 2,905 Malaysian ringgit ($914) a tonne.

Traded volumes for the December contract stood at 8,204 lots of 25 tonnes each compared with 16,115 lots on Thursday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets ended mixed on Friday, some pulling back from early gains at the end of the worst quarter since October-December 2008 after the European debt crisis and a slowing U.S. economy led to a sell-off as investors cut risk.

Market players remained nervous about a further deterioration and most markets were locked in a narrow range on Friday, with low trading volume.

Among hardest hit, Singapore <.FTSTI> fell 1.2 percent and Thailand <.SETI> lost 1.1 percent. Malaysia <.KLSE> and Vietnam <.VNI> posted more limited losses. Indonesia <.JKSE> edged up 0.3 percent and the Philippines <.PSI> jumped 3.2 percent.

Kuala Lumpur posted 42.3 million ringgit ($13.3 million) in outflows while domestic institution bought a net 107 million Malaysian ringgit ($33.7 million) after steady buying this week, stock exchange data showed.

Singapore slumped 14.5 percent in the quarter, ahead of Malaysia's 12.2 percent, Thailand's 12 percent, Indonesia's 8.7 percent and the Philippines' 6.8 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Commodity-related stocks drove Wall Street lower on Wednesday as stiff declines in energy and metals prices underscored investor concerns about global economic weakness and Europe's raging debt crisis.

A sharp 7 percent dive in the price of copper, seen as a leading indicator for the economy, rattled investors and led to a drop of 4.5 percent in the S&P materials index .GSPM. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc FCX.N fell 7.3 percent to $32.29.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI dropped 179.79 points, or 1.61 percent, to 11,010.90. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX dropped 24.32 points, or 2.07 percent, to 1,151.06. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC dropped 55.25 points, or 2.17 percent, to 2,491.58.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 28 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended more than 3 percent lower on Wednesday, in a broad commodities sell-off ahead of a German parliamentary vote Thursday on whether to back new powers for the euro zone rescue fund.

Whether Greece would get more euro zone aid also added to festering worries about the region's fiscal health.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for November delivery CLX1 fell back after two days of gains and settled down $3.24, or 3.84 percent, at $81.21 a barrel, after trading from $81.11 to $84.62.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell 3.3 percent, the biggest single-day drop in more than six months, and hit a 10-month low as macroeconomic worries and U.S. harvest pressure triggered fund long liquidation, traders said.

A 3.5 percent decline in U.S. crude oil futures amid ongoing concerns over the euro zone crisis added pressure.

Heavy volume in soybean futures at more than 220,000 contracts, roughly 30 percent above the 30-day average. Volume in soymeal and soyoil futures was also large.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell 1.3 percent on Wednesday, weighed down by losses in other edible oils and investor worries about the ability of European leaders to tackle a debt crisis threatening the global financial system.

Benchmark December palm oil futures 0#FCPO: on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange closed at 2,910 ringgit ($925) a tonne. Earlier, prices had fallen as low as 2,885 ringgit.

On Monday, benchmark palm prices fell to 2,857 ringgit, the lowest level in almost one year, and have eased 3 percent so far this week as concerns about the global economy dominate sentiment.

Traded volumes for the November contract stood at 18,649 lots of 25 tonnes each compared with 14,191 lots on Tuesday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Stocks in Thailand and Singapore fell in light volume on Wednesday as players booked quick profits from a rebound the previous day, while others in the region pushed up cautiously, with the euro zone crisis still hanging over the market.

Trading was choppy, dominated by short-term traders, and foreign flows to Southeast Asia remained thin.

Singapore stocks .FTSTI lost 0.9 percent and Thai stocks .SETI dropped 1.6 percent, reversing an early climb. Stocks in Malaysia .KLSE and Indonesia .JKSE rose for a second session, after Monday's heavy losses.

Investors remain dubious about rebuilding positions in the region, even though valuations now look attractive. However, end-quarter flows from domestic institutions appeared to be on the rise in Thailand and Malaysia.

Breaking News- RTRS - China to buy yet more soyoil, palm oil-Oil World

HAMBURG, Sept 27 (Reuters) - China will again sharply raise imports of soyoil, palm oil and soybeans in 2011/12 as insufficient domestic oilseed production continues to be outpaced by rapid demand growth.
“China’s import dependence in the oilseed sector is reaching alarming proportions,” Oil World said.
China’s October 2011/September 2012 soyoil imports will rise to 1.56 million tonnes from 1.51 million tonnes in 2010/11 and palm oil imports will rise to 6.67 million tonnes from 6.06 million tonnes, Oil World forecasts.
Demand continues to be driven by China’s economic growth, rising population and increasing meat consumption as incomes rise, it said.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 27 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose for a third straight day on Tuesday and oil prices jumped on rising hopes European leaders will beef up the euro zone's rescue fund and tackle the region's debt crisis.

The euro also rose for a third straight day as multiple reports showed officials considering plans to make its bailout fund many times larger and to recapitalize banks.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI closed up 146.83 points, or 1.33 percent, at 11,190.69. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX rose 12.43 points, or 1.07 percent, at 1,175.38. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC finished up 30.14 points, or 1.20 percent, at 2,546.83

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 27 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures edged up in post-settlement trading on Tuesday after data from the American Petroleum Institute showed that domestic crude stocks rose less than expected last week and stocks fell sharply at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub.

Earlier, crude stocks settled more than 5 percent higher, the biggest one-day percentage gain in 4-1/2 months, as euro zone efforts to raise the region's bailout fund and support banks sparked buying in equities and commodities markets.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude CLX1 settled at $84.45 a barrel, up $4.21, or 5.25 percent, to set the biggest single-day percentage rise since May 9 when prices ended up 5.53 percent. It traded from $80.92 to $84.67.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended firmer, joining a broad rally in commodities as fresh measures discussed by the European Central Bank curbed anxieties about European debt.

U.S. crude oil futures CLc1 were up about 5 percent by the CBOT close and the U.S. dollar index .DXY was down 1.2 percent.

Soybeans were seen as technically oversold and due for a rebound after Monday's drop to a 10-month low. The nine-day RSI for November soy stood at 14 ahead of the open, within the technically oversold range of 0 to 30.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures bounced up on Tuesday as bargain hunters resurfaced after the market slid to a one-year low the previous day on concerns that developed countries were pushing the world into a recession.

Palm oil led other vegetable oil prices higher, helped by a belief that markets were oversold, a weaker U.S. dollar that makes edible oil exports competitive and recovering shipments owing to robust Asian festival demand.

Benchmark December palm oil futures 0#FCPO: on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 1.5 percent to 2,948 ringgit ($926.72) a tonne.

The previous day, the contract dropped as much as 4.5 percent, its worst daily showing since February this year.

Overall trade stood at 23,487 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets pushed higher on Tuesday, with Indonesia and Thailand surging nearly 5 percent because of hopes that European policymakers will act to contain Greece's debt problems and resolve the euro zone debt crisis.

Buying gained steam during the afternoon as European shares rose for a third straight session, although brokers said the rise in Asia owed more to short-covering than new buying as many investors remained worried about the risk of global recession.

If the euro zone's problems persisted, that could drag global markets lower again, including Southeast Asian stocks despite the fall in their valuations.

The Asian markets finished at their day's highs, with Indonesia's main share index .JKSE ending up 4.8 percent, reversing Monday's 3.2 percent loss. Thai stocks .SETI gained 4.7 percent, erasing part of the previous session's 5.7 percent loss.

Stocks in Singapore .FTSTI and Malaysia .KLSE gained over 2 percent. Vietnam .VNI rose 0.7 percent. The Philippine market .PSI was shut because of Typhoon Nesat.

Trading volume was generally moderate, around the monthly average.
Singaporean bank DBS Group Holdings DBSM.SI, which fell 2.3 percent on Monday, rose 3.5 percent.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks suffered their worst drop in a month after the Federal Reserve said there were "significant downside risks" to the economy even as it took another stab at boosting growth.

Selling accelerated as volume spiked in the last hour of trading, with banks and insurers leading the decline, as the KBW Bank index .BKX slid 5.5 percent and the KBW Insurance index .KIX off 5.2 percent. Bank of America BAC.N lost 7.5 percent to $6.38 and Prudential Financial Inc PRU.N slid 6.6 percent to $45.73.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI dropped 283.82 points, or 2.49 percent, to 11,124.84. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX lost 35.33 points, or 2.94 percent, to 1,166.76. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC fell 52.05 points, or 2.01 percent, to 2,538.19.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended more than 1 percent lower on Wednesday as analysts deemed new easing measures by the Federal Reserve insufficient to jump-start the stalling U.S. economy.

Crude futures were already trading in negative territory before the Federal Reserve's policymakers, at the conclusion of a two-day meeting, issued a statement that, as expected, would put more downward pressure on long-term interest rates.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for November delivery CLX1 settled at $85.92 a barrel, falling $1, or 1.15 percent, after trading between $85.05 and $87.99.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell to a six-week low on concerns about poor export demand for U.S. soybeans and seasonal pressure from the approaching U.S. harvest, traders said.

Market fell to session lows near the closing bell. Benchmark November soybeans SX1 fell below Monday's low of $13.26 and set a six-week low at $13.20.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil barely moved on Wednesday as investors grew wary over attempts to resolve Europe's debt crisis and shore up the U.S. economy against a slide back into recession -- factors that can stall global commodity demand.

Palm oil prices have been see-sawing in September, torn between the bleak global economic outlook and prospects of strong demand ahead of key public holidays in top buyers India and China next month.

Benchmark December palm oil FCPOc3 on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange shed 1 ringgit to end at 3,066 ringgit ($982.85) per tonne. Overall volumes were light, with 21,933 lots of 25 tonnes each changing hands, compared to the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-Sept 21 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets closed weaker or with marginal gains on Wednesday in thin trade as investors stayed on the sidelines, waiting for a possible move by the U.S. Federal Reserve to spur growth in the world's largest economy.

The Fed is expected to announce plans later on Wednesday to rebalance its portfolio in favour of longer-dated bonds and so push long-term interest rates -- already near historic lows -- even lower in a move known as Operation Twist.

But Malaysia .KLSE recovered from its lowest in over a year to end 0.6 percent firmer with foreign inflows of $5.2 million, while Singapore .FTSTI rose 0.4 percent and Thailand .SETI gained 0.3 percent with $9.6 million in inflows.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby SIME.KL, the world's top palm oil planter by landbank size, jumped 4.2 percent after recent selling. Analysts said the market's concerns over the company's acquisition of a stake in Eastern and Oriental ENOB.KL were overdone.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 20 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended little changed on Tuesday as investors waited to see if the U.S. Federal Reserve would offer more economic stimulus and if Greece made progress in talks to avoid a default.

In the lowest volume session since late August, the market gave up earlier gains of about 1 percent as investors were wary of going home with long positions after an overnight downgrade of Italy's credit rating.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI gained 7.65 points, or 0.07 percent, to 11,408.66 at the close. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX fell 2.00 points, or 0.17 percent, to 1,202.09. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC lost 22.59 points, or 0.86 percent, to 2,590.24.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 20 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures rose on Tuesday, in choppy trading as the October contract approached expiration and bouncing after sliding the previous session on hopes the Federal Reserve may act to stimulate the economy.

U.S. stocks on Wall Street ended little changed in low volume trading, shedding earlier gains also attributed to hopes that the Fed will indicate new actions to boost a flagging economy when it finishes its two-day meeting on Wednesday.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, expiring October crude CLV1 rose $1.19, or 1.39 percent to settle at $86.89 a barrel, having traded from $85.11 and $87.46.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended higher Tuesday in a short-covering bounce after a six-day sell-off left the market technically oversold, while a drop in weekly U.S. crop ratings added support, traders said.

Strength in crude oil and a setback in the U.S. dollar added support.But soybeans ended off the day's highs on spillover pressure from a retreat in CBOT corn and the approach of the U.S. corn and soy harvest.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures inched up on Tuesday as the weaker ringgit MYR= made the vegetable oil cheaper to process at time when exports could start rising again ahead of an Indian festival and a national holiday in China.

Investors were also bargain hunting after commodity prices declined the previous day on concerns about the euro zone's debt crisis, boosting safe-havens such as the U.S. dollar.

Benchmark December palm oil FCPOc3 on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 0.9 percent to 3,067 ringgit($985.48) per tonne.

Overall volumes were light, with 16,863 lots of 25 tonnes changing hands, compared to the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-Sept 19 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Tuesday, hit by ouflows of global capital, as ratings agency S&P's downgrade of Italy and concerns of a Greek default rattled emerging-market nerves in Asia.

Jakarta suffered outflows of $88.9 million, Bangkok saw outflows of $61.6 million, Manila saw foreign selling of $11.7 million and Kuala Lumpur witnessed outflows of $28.1 million.

Standard and Poor's downgraded its unsolicited ratings on Italy by one notch to A/A-1 and kept its outlook on negative, a major surprise that threatens to add to concerns of contagion in the debt-stressed euro zone amid still unresolved sovereign debt crisis in Greece

Bucking the trend, Thailand .SETI and Singapore .FTSTI gained 0.9 percent each, led by banks with Siam Commercial Bank SCB.BK and Kasikornbank KBAN.BK rising over 2.2 percent in Bangkok and DBS DBSM.SI and United Overseas Bank UOBH.SI gaining 0.4 percent and 0.9 percent respectively.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 19 (Reuters) - World stocks snapped a four-day rally on Monday, while the euro and oil prices dropped on concern Greece may default on its debt and trigger economic fallout that would cascade throughout the euro zone and possibly beyond.

But U.S. stocks and the euro recovered from their worst levels in late trade after Greece's Finance Ministry said the country was near an agreement with its international lenders to continue receiving bailout funds. U.S. Treasury debt prices pared gains.

Wall Street stocks ended lower despite the late-session rebound. The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI closed down 108.08 points, or 0.94 percent, at 11,401.01. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was down 11.92 points, or 0.98 percent, at 1,204.09. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was down 9.48 points, or 0.36 percent, at 2,612.83.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 19 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures fell on Monday as mounting concerns about the euro zone debt crisis fueled investor fears about the demand outlook for commodities, pressuring equities and the euro and strengthening the dollar.

World stocks snapped a four-day rally and the the euro fell on concern that Greece may default on its debt and trigger economic fallout that would cascade throughout the euro zone and possibly beyond.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, October crude CLV1 fell $2.26, or 2.57 percent, to settle at $85.70 a barrel, trading from $84.79 to $87.75.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell to a five-week low and posted a sixth consecutive decline, pressured by fund long liquidation as the dollar firmed on worries about Greek debt, traders said.

The U.S. dollar index .DXY was up 0.6 percent on renewed fears of a Greek debt default, prompting investors to cut risk by selling crude oil, grains and other commodities. [nS1E78I0CG]

U.S. crude oil futures CLc1 were down roughly $2 a barrel, or 2.3 percent, when the CBOT grain markets closed.Benchmark November soybeans SX1 fell to their lowest level since Aug. 12 and unofficially ended below the 200-day moving average of $13.39-3/4.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell on Monday as Europe stumbled over attempts to solve the euro zone debt crisis, strengthening investor fears commodity demand growth may slow.

Palm oil has lost almost 20 percent so far this year on high stocks and a slowdown in demand, although some traders bet that festival demand in India may see some orders coming in.

Benchmark December palm oil FCPOc3 on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled down 0.94 percent to 3,041 ringgit ($984.38) per tonne.

Overall trade volumes were light, with 14,092 lots of 25 tonnes changing hands, compared to the usual 25,000 lots, as the market was still quiet after a long weekend.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-Sept 19 (Reuters) - Main Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Monday , led by financials with Malaysia hitting a more-than one-year low on global concerns after a weekend meeting to solve euro zone sovereign debt crisis ended without progress.

A weekend of disappointing news from the euro zone prompted market players to cut risk and move into gold and U.S. Treasuries, even as speculation grew that the Federal Reserve would announce further policy easing moves to stimulate the sputtering U.S. economy at a meeting this week

Malaysia .KLSE fell 1.2 percent to its lowest close since Aug. 27, 2010, Thailand .SETI fell 1.6 percent to its lowest close since June 28, and Singapore's Straits Times Index .FTSTI fell 1.1 percent.

The cancellation of a visit by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou to the United States to chair an emergency cabinet meeting at home, and a regional election defeat for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, added to a sense of worsening crisis.

Shares of Singapore banks were among the biggest losers on the benchmark index, with DBS DBSM.SI down 2.8 percent and United Overseas Bank UOBH.SI 2.3 percent lower.

Malaysia saw net foreign outflows of $15.8 million on Monday with financials AMMB Holdings AMMB.KL and CIMB Group CIMB.KL falling 1.3 percent and 6.9 percent respectively.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK , Sept 16 (Reuters) - Global equities rose for a fourth straight day on Friday, but the euro slid as hope Europe was finally getting a grip on the region's debt crisis was offset by lingering fears Greece is still at risk of default.

The Nasdaq stock market posted its biggest weekly advance since July 2009, and gains elsewhere in global equity markets suggested risk aversion has dissipated.

The euro EUR= headed for its best week in eight against the U.S. dollar, even as it slipped 0.7 percent to $1.3785 on Friday. The announcement on Thursday that the world's leading central banks will boost short-term dollar funding for European banks facing a dollar shortage buoyed the euro.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI closed up 75.91 points, or 0.66 percent, at 11,509.09. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX gained 6.90 points, or 0.57 percent, at 1,216.01. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC added 15.24 points, or 0.58 percent, at 2,622.31.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 16 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures fell more than 1 percent on Friday as uncertainties surrounding the euro zone debt crisis and gloomy consumer outlook in the United States prompted pre-weekend selling.

As the euro dropped on a spate of negative news in Europe, the dollar rose, encouraging investors to unwind some risky bets in oil futures.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for October delivery CLV1 settled at $87.96 a barrel, dropping $1.44, or 1.61 percent, after trading from $87.00 to $89.78.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended narrowly mixed as spillover pressure from weaker U.S. crude oil prices and a firmer dollar offset support from short-covering, traders said.

Trading volume in soybean futures was down about 10 percent from the 30-day average.

Spot soybean futures Sc1 ended the week down 4.6 percent, their biggest weekly drop since early May, amid fund long liquidation.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures hit+ a near six-week high on Thursday, boosted by currencies and firmer crude prices, although concerns over falling exports and lingering economic uncertainty capped gains.

Benchmark November palm oil FCPOc3 on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange added 0.4 percent to close at 3,078 Malaysian ringgit ($999) per tonne, off an earlier low of 3,036 ringgit.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Some Southeast Asian stock markets gained on Friday as financials bounced back, with global sentiment reviving on hopes European policymakers would finally come up with a bold plan to combat a deepening debt crisis.

Still, trading volume was relatively light as a long-term solution to the euro zone's sovereign debt issues remained uncertain, and stocks in the region suffered their worst weekly loss this month.

The battered region lured some bargain hunters as the healthy outlook for domestic consumption boded well for some sectors, such as consumer, property and banks, brokers said.

Singapore's Straits Times Index .FTSTI edged up 0.8 percent, extending gains for a third session. Philippine stocks .PSI ended nearly flat, erasing early gains, while Thai shares .SETI eased 0.3 percent, after an early climb.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose 1 percent in a third day of gains on Wednesday after European leaders displayed new urgency in efforts to contain the euro zone debt crisis.

German and French leaders called on Greece to implement all financial reforms "strictly and effectively," a German government spokesman said.

Greece expects policymakers to report that Athens is on track to fulfill its targets and receive the aid it needs to avoid any chance of a debt default, a Greek official said.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was up 140.88 points, or 1.27 percent, at 11,246.73. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was up 15.81 points, or 1.35 percent, at 1,188.68. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was up 40.40 points, or 1.60 percent, at 2,572.55.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended lower on Wednesday in choppy trading after a government report showed rising refined products inventories and weak demand for gasoline, offsetting a bigger-than-expected drop in crude stocks.

U.S. commercial crude oil stocks fell 6.7 million barrels last week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said in its weekly report.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, October crude CLV1 fell $1.30, or 1.44 percent, to settle at $88.91 a barrel, trading from $88.21 to $90.25.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell, with benchmark November notching a sixth decline in the last seven sessions on technical selling and seasonal pressure ahead of the U.S. harvest, traders said.

A drop of roughly 1.5 percent in U.S. crude oil futures weighed on soy prices, which are linked to crude through the soy-based biodiesel market.

Trade was light, with soybean futures volume down nearly 25 percent from the 250-day average.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures reversed early losses on Wednesday, with investors citing an over-sold market and fluctuations in currencies, but gains were capped by a bigger-than-expected U.S. soybean crop outlook.

Benchmark November palm oil FCPOc3 on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange added 1.5 percent to end at 3,065 Malaysian ringgit ($1,002) per tonne. Earlier, prices hit a low of 2,989 ringgit, the weakest since Sept. 6.

Traded volumes for the November contract stood at 13,520 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared with 9,867 lots on Tuesday.
Benchmark prices have added 0.5 percent this week, with gains limited by a better-than-expected production outlook for the U.S. soy crop.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture unexpectedly raised its U.S. crop production outlook by 1 percent in a monthly report, despite forecasts for a smaller crop due to hot, dry weather this summer

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Wednesday as mounting euro zone debt concerns eroded broad market sentiment, with banks under pressure from the global banking crisis.

The outperforming region faced outflows of global capital on worries over euro zone debt and global economic uncertainty.

Worst hit was Indonesia, whose benchmark Jakarta Composite Index .JKSE slid 1.95 percent. Jakarta had $166 million in outflows, its biggest since August 19, as the rupiah IDR=ID, fell, Thomson Reuters data showed.

Singapore's DBS Group Holdings DBSM.SI eased 0.3 percent, extending its losses for a fifth session to the lowest in more than two years. Thailand's biggest Bangkok Bank BBL.BK fell 0.7 percent to seven-month lows.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 13 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks gained on Tuesday as investors bought shares beaten down in recent weeks and bet European leaders would take action soon to ease the Greek debt crisis.

Worries the euro zone crisis could tip the global economy into another recession have pummeled stocks, though the selling has reached a level that some argue a Greek default is priced in to the market.

Investors appeared to be pinning hopes on progress being made during a conference call planned between French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was up 44.73 points, or 0.40 percent, at 11,105.85. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was up 10.60 points, or 0.91 percent, at 1,172.87. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was up 37.06 points, or 1.49 percent, at 2,532.15.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 13 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rose on Tuesday, ending at the highest level in five weeks as the dollar weakened and forecasters called for weekly data to show a drawdown in crude stocks.

Traders shrugged off a lower oil demand growth forecast from the Paris-based International Energy Agency.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for October delivery CLV1 settled at $90.21 a barrel, gaining $2.02, or 2.29 percent, after trading between $87.81 and $90.52. It was the highest settlement for front-month crude since Aug. 3, when prices closed at $91.93 CLc1.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell on spillover pressure from corn and wheat, but ended off the day's lows as concerns about a frost threat in the U.S. Midwest underpinned the market, traders said.

A setback in the U.S. dollar .DXY and strength in crude oil also helped to limit declines.

Benchmark November soybean futures SX1 dipped to $13.82, the contract's lowest level since Aug. 22, but pared losses before the closing bell.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures retreated on Tuesday from near one-month highs hit the previous day as a better-than-expected production outlook for the U.S. soy crop signalled improving vegetable oil supplies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture unexpectedly raised its U.S. crop production outlook by 1 percent in a monthly report, despite forecasts for a smaller crop due to hot, dry weather this summer

Benchmark November palm oil FCPOc3 on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 1.7 percent to end at 3,019 Malaysian ringgit ($996) per tonne.

Prices the previous day hit a near one-month peak at 3,076 but fell to a near one-week low at 3,012 on Tuesday.

Traded volumes for the November contract stood at 9,867 lots of 25 tonnes each compared with 5,862 lots on Monday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets retreated on Tuesday, with big-caps and financials giving up early gains as a tentative recovery rally in global stocks lost steam.

Southeast Asia's markets ended near their day's lows as investors cashed in, shadowing losses in Europe as speculation faded over the prospect of China buying Italian bonds.

Late selling pulled Singapore .FTSTI and Thai stocks .SETI down to around three-week lows, with shares in Indonesia .JKSE hovering around the lowest in a week.

Brokers expect further downside near term.
Trading volumes plunged across major markets partly due to holidays in Hong Kong and South Korea. Turnover in the Philippines fell to 0.3 times its monthly average, with volumes of others sliding to around two-thirds the average.

Recently beaten-down blue chips such as energy, food and banks gained in early trade. In general, financial profiles of Southeast Asian firms are strong and the region is widely expected to withstand the global economic slowdown.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 12 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Monday, bouncing back in late trading, as hopes that Italy could get financial support from China tempered investors' worst fears over the euro zone's sovereign debt crisis.

Traders started the day braced for a possible downgrade of France's top banks by Moody's Investors Service, but sentiment improved as various European officials succeeded in tamping down fears that political and financial leaders were losing control of the situation.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI finished up 68.99 points, or 0.63 percent, at 11,061.12. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was up 8.04 points, or 0.70 percent, at 1,162.27. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC ended 27.10 points higher, or 1.10 percent, at 2,495.09.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 12 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures rose on Monday, propped up by spread trading with Brent crude, which took a hit from concerns about the euro zone debt crisis that could weaken Europe's economy and dent oil demand.

OPEC cut its forecast for global oil demand growth for 2011 and 2012 citing a worsening economic outlook. limiting the day's gains.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for October delivery CLV1 settled at $88.19 a barrel, gaining 95 cents, or 1.09 percent. It had traded between $85 and $88.95.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell after the U.S. Department of Agriculture surprised the market by raising its forecast of the U.S. 2011 soybean yield in a monthly report, traders said.

Market pressured as traders unwound long soy/short corn inter-market spreads. Active trade in soybean futures with volume near 200,000 contracts, about 30 percent higher than the 30-day average.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures traded near one-month highs on Monday, in line with other vegetable oil markets, as investors positioned themselves ahead of key industry data from the United States.

Benchmark November palm oil FCPOc3 on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange ended up 0.7 percent at 3,071 Malaysian ringgit ($1,023) per tonne. Prices earlier hit a peak at 3,076.

Exchange volumes for the November contract were thin at 5,862 lots of 25 tonnes each versus 7,895 lots on Friday.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Southeast Asia's stock markets retreated on Monday as pessimism over the euro zone debt crisis triggered broad sell-offs in regional blue chips, with Indonesia and Singapore seeing their biggest losses in three weeks.

Volumes were light, about two-thirds the region's monthly average, in part due to holidays in big Asian centres including China, Taiwan and South Korea.

Among most actively traded, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. STEL.SI dropped 2.3 percent, Indonesia's largest lender Bank Mandiri BMRI.JK plunged 4.2 percent and Thai top energy firm PTT PTT.BK eased 2.2 percent with oil prices falling.

Southeast Asia reported foreign outflows and falling currencies on Monday, with the Singapore dollar SGD= hitting its lowest level in more than two months amid market speculation that Singapore's central bank may ease its monetary policy next month

Malaysia posted outflows of 96 million ringgit ($32 million), stock exchange data showed. Indonesia reported $31.8 milion in outflows, with the Philippines seeing $6.4 million in outflows and Vietnam $0.04 million, Thomson Reuters data showed.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index .FTSTI plunged 2.9 percent to 2,743.58. Ng Kian Teck, lead analyst at SIAS Research in Singapore, expects the STI to trade downward for the rest of the week, with support eyed at 2,700 points.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks tumbled more than 2 percent on Friday after the top German official at the European Central Bank resigned in protest of the bank's bond-buying program, which has been a major tool in fighting the region's debt crisis.

The resignation of Juergen Stark from the ECB throws into question policymakers' ability to deal with Europe's debt crisis, a problem that could engulf a world economy already teetering on the brink of recession.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI dropped 303.68 points, or 2.69 percent, to 10,992.13. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX dropped 31.67 points, or 2.67 percent, to 1,154.23. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC dropped 61.15 points, or 2.42 percent, to 2,467.99.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures slumped more than 2 percent on Friday on economic worries and as a stronger dollar encouraged selling of assets such as oil.

Crude futures fell with Wall Street and major commodities on risk aversion as the euro slid to a more than six-month low against the dollar due to turmoil in the European Central Bank and euro zone debt problems.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for October delivery CLV1 settled at $87.24 a barrel, falling $1.81, or 2.03 percent, after trading from $85.64 to $89.50.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed higher on short-covering ahead of a key crop report on Monday in which the U.S. government is expected to cut its soy production forecast, traders said.

Weather forecasts indicating the potential for a frost in northern fringes of the U.S. Midwest crop belt next week added support.Benchmark November soybeans SX1 ended the week down 1.3 percent.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rose on Friday as traders took up positions ahead of a slew of industry reports that could shed light on a decline in vegetable oil supplies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's supply-demand report on Monday will update the agency's crop forecasts in the light of hot and dry weather hurting U.S. soy yields that could lift soyoil's premium to palm oil.

On the same day, industry regulator Malaysian Palm Oil Board will issue August stocks data that may show declines for a second month as exports and local demand outstrip production during a key Muslim festival.

But cargo surveyors are likely to show a drop in Malaysian exports for the period September 1-10 as buying normalises, although some traders say top importers India and China are waiting for prices to fall still more before committing.

The benchmark November palm oil FCPOc3 on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 0.8 percent at 3,050 ringgit ($1,019.56) per tonne.

Exchange volumes stood at 16,106 lots at 25 tonnes each versus the usual 25,000 lots in muted trading ahead of the industry data next week.

Cargo surveyor Intertek Testing Services is set to issue Malaysia's Sept. 1-10 palm oil exports and traders expect the levels at 379,000 tonnes -- some 36 percent lower than the same period a month ago.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets slid lower on Friday, led by losses in big caps and financials, as investors remained wary about global uncertainty and U.S. President Barack Obama's speech on a jobs package failed to revive sentiment.

Late selling kicked in, pushing sharemarkets into negative terrain. The region was treading water in early trading hours as global sentiment stalled after Western central banks failed to offer any fresh stimulus plans.

Singapore's Straits Times Index .FTSTI finished down 1.1 percent in a choppy session that sent the index to a 1-week high at one point. Philippine stocks .PSI, Indonesia .JKSE and Malaysia .KLSE posted limited losses.

Among weak spots, shares in Thai drinks company Serm Suk SSC.BK plunged 7.3 percent to 57.25 baht after Singapore-listed Thai Beverage TBEV.SI announced a takeover bid for Serm Suk SSC.BK at a lower-than-market price of 58 baht.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed sharply lower on Thursday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave no indications of new stimulus measures to boost the flagging economy in a keenly awaited speech.

Investors have been looking to Bernanke, who gave his outlook on the U.S. economy on Thursday, and other policymakers to address a host of concerns from slowing global growth to Europe's debt crisis.

A rise in jobless claims reported earlier in the day underscored the weakness in the U.S. economy and came ahead of a speech by President Barack Obama. Obama is due to speak at 7 p.m. and is expected lay out a plan for creating jobs.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI dropped 119.05 points, or 1.04 percent, to 11,295.81. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX fell 12.72 points, or 1.06 percent, to 1,185.90. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC lost 19.80 points, or 0.78 percent, to 2,529.14.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures edged lower in choppy trading on Thursday as Wall Street fell and the dollar strengthened after the U.S. Federal Reserve Chief failed to outline new steps to spur economic growth in a speech.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the U.S. central bank would spare no effort to boost disappointingly weak growth and reduce unemployment, while downplaying concerns about inflation.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, October crude CLV1 fell 29 cents, or 0.32 percent, to settle at $89.05 a barrel, trading from $88.59 to $90.23.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures fell for a third straight session as the dollar .DXY rallied and traders positioned ahead of a jobs speech by U.S. President Obama later Thursday and USDA's September crop report next week.

A poll indicated that most analysts see the U.S. 2011 soybean crop as larger than 3 billion bushels, a factor that eased worries about supplies.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell on Thursday in tandem with other vegetable oil markets as investors booked some profits although the tropical oil's deepening discount to competing soyoil limited losses.

Vegetable oil markets are likely to make little headway ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's supply-demand report on Monday, which will update the agency's crop forecasts.

Hot and dry weather has hurt U.S. soybean yields, making crude palm oil at least $220 cheaper than soyoil that could shift demand to the tropical oil. This could lift the market that has fallen almost a fifth on concerns the euro zone debt could stall global economic growth.

The benchmark November palm oil FCPOc3 on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled down 0.6 percent to 3,023 ringgit ($1,013.41) per tonne in choppy trade. Exchange volumes stood at 24,744 lots at 25 tonnes each versus the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets posted limited gains in light volume on Thursday, led by commodities-related shares, but investors remained wary amid uncertainty over a euro zone debt crisis and the faltering U.S. economy.

Market turnover fell below monthly average for most in the region. Late buying kicked in as global stocks edged up ahead of a European Central Bank meeting seen calling a halt to its rate tightening cycle to support economies.

Singapore's Straits Times Index .FTSTI ended up 0.87 percent at its day's high of 2,856.90, with stocks in Malaysia .KLSE, Indonesia .JKSE and Thailand .SETI posting smaller gains.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Wall Street bounced more than 2 percent on Wednesday, reversing three days of losses after Germany's top court smoothed the way for Berlin's participation in bailouts that could ease Europe's debt crisis.

But investor caution that there remains a long road to recovery was underscored by light trading and continued high volatility as shown in the CBOE VIX volatility index

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI gained 275.56 points, or 2.47 percent, to 11,414.86. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX rose 33.38 points, or 2.86 percent, to 1,198.62. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC added 75.11 points, or 3.04 percent, to 2,548.94.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 7 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rebounded sharply on Wednesday, ending at a five-week high on forecasts that inventory data would show a drawdown in crude stocks last week and concerns that more stormy weather could hit the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

The dollar fell as appetite returned for riskier assets, and Wall Street rallied after three days of losses as Europe's debt concerns eased. Both were supportive for crude oil futures, traders said.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for October delivery CLV1 settled at $89.34 a barrel, rising $3.32, or 3.86 percent, the highest close since Aug. 3's $91.93 on a continuous price chart. The day's gain was the the biggest one-day percentage rise since Aug. 10, when prices rose 4.53 percent. The contract traded from $86.15 to $89.74.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell for a second session, retreating from an early rally on technical selling and softening cash markets ahead of the U.S. harvest, traders said.

Soyoil ended higher as a sharp rally in crude oil buoyed biodiesel prospects.
Cash basis bids for soybeans were down sharply in parts of the U.S. Midwest interior, pressured by slow demand and the approaching harvest, merchandisers said.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures bounced on Wednesday as traders bet on demand shifting to the tropical oil as U.S. soybean crop conditions deteriorate and tighten soyoil supplies.

Traders said the market was oversold the previous day on concerns about the worsening euro zone debt crisis that could stall global economic growth.

Prices also drew support from market views that Malaysian palm oil stocks in August likely fell for a second straight month as exports and local demand outstrip sluggish production during a key Muslim festival.

Benchmark November palm oil FCPOc3 on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 1.9 percent to 3,042 Malaysian ringgit ($1,021) per tonne. The previous day, the contract fell to 2,978 ringgit -- a level unseen since Aug. 26.

Exchange volumes stood at 16,182 lots at 25 tonnes each versus the usual 25,000 lots with trading interest muted after last week's long holidays.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets climbed higher on Wednesday as investors piled into consumer and telecoms sectors amid improving global sentiment, helped partly by positive data from the United States.

The region's rally came late in the day and with light turnover, with caution lingering about the a euro zone debt crisis and worries that major economies were headed for another recession.

Indonesia's main share index .JKSE jumped 2.9 percent, the highest leap in almost one month, Singapore's Straits Times Index .FTSTI climbed 2.1 percent and Vietnam's .VNI main index rose 1.8 percent.

Stocks in Malaysia .KLSE, Thailand .SETI and the Philippines .PSI posted smaller gains.

Singapore-listed TAC TACC.SI surged 5.7 percent. The telecom buying spree came amid hopes for a launch of long-delayed auction of new third-generation telecommunications licences after a selection of a new industry regulator

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Wall Street fell for a third day on Tuesday on fears Europe still has failed to tackle its debt crisis, prompting worries the market is headed to new lows for the year.

Investors channeled cash into less risky assets as doubts resurfaced over the political will of Italy and Greece to push through tough budget measures and as Germany hardened its stand against providing more aid. The worries over the European debt crisis renewed fears that the global economy could fall into recession.

The S&P 500 is now down 14.5 percent from its highest point in 2011, reached at the end of April. Though investors have periodically taken heart from signs that Europe has carved out a plan to deal with its festering crisis, confidence has been repeatedly walloped every time there is a development showing that the problems have not been solved.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI dropped 100.96 points, or 0.90 percent, to 11,139.30. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX fell 8.73 points, or 0.74 percent, to 1,165.24. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC lost 6.50 points, or 0.26 percent, to 2,473.83.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Sept 6 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell for a second session Tuesday on worries that the euro zone debt crisis could stifle world economic growth, but a new weather disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico pared losses sharply.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the new weather system has a 30 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next couple of days.

Resuming trade after the U.S. Labor Day holiday weekend, crude for October delivery CLV1 settled on the New York Mercantile Exchange at $86.02 a barrel, down 43 cents, or 0.5 percent, after trading from $83.20 to $86.50.

CBOT-SOYBEANS-Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell on Tuesday as the dollar rose on fears of a widening debt crisis in Europe and a slowing U.S. economy, traders said.

The U.S. dollar index .DXY was higher for a sixth straight session and U.S. equity markets fell.

FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell to their lowest in almost two weeks on Tuesday as investors fretted over the worsening euro zone debt crisis that could put the brakes on economic growth and commodity demand.

In the past few weeks, the palm oil market has been supported by solid export demand in August and prospects of a stock draw in No.2 palm oil producer Malaysia.

The benchmark November crude palm oil contract FCPOc3 dropped as much as 1.3 percent to 2,978 ringgit ($1,000.487)-- a level unseen since Aug. 26. The contract later settled at 2,985 ringgit.

Traded volumes stood at 23,014 lots at 25 tonnes each versus the usual 25,000 lots as more trading interest came back after the long holidays last week.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Some Southeast Asian stock markets edged up on Tuesday as investors took their leads from European bourses by buying beaten-down consumer stocks and helping to offset losses in banks and commodities-related shares.

A contagion fear of eurozone debt crisis and renewed worries about U.S. recession put a lid on risk appetite, weighing down early sharemarket sentiment across Southeast Asia.

Trading volume remained weak for most of the region and global uncertainty cast doubts over the outlook of corporate earnings that capped potential stock price upside.

At the close, Singapore's Straits Times Index .FTSTI edged up 0.04 percent, falling as much as 1.35 percent at one point. Stocks in Indonesia .JKSE and Thailand .SETI each ended up 0.6 percent, with Vietnam .VNI up 0.1 percent.

Malaysia .KLSE finished down 0.6 percent and the Philippines .PSI dropped 1.8 percent.