RTRS-China acts to crank up credit as lending, economy slow

SHANGHAI/BEIJING, Feb 19 (Reuters) - China's central bank cut the amount of cash banks must hold in reserves on Saturday, boosting lending capacity by an estimated 350-400 billion yuan ($55.6-$63.5 billion) in a bid to crank up credit creation as the world's second-biggest economy faces a fifth successive quarter of slowing growth.

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) is on the course of gentle policy easing to cushion the world's fastest-growing major economy against stiff global headwinds as Europe's debt crisis grinds on, although it has been treading warily.

The cut, announced late evening, is set to boost the confidence of domestic stock investors, who have been eagerly awaiting clear signs of an easing of monetary policy.

"It's a very positive move for the stock market, and it will create a bullish stock market," Li Daxiao, the research head of Shenzhen-based Yingda Securities, said in an online note.

The PBOC cut big banks' reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by 50 basis points to 20.5 percent, effective from next Friday, after repeatedly defying market expectations for such a move after it first cut the ratio last November.

China's economy is likely to slow to an annual growth rate of 8.2 percent in the first quarter from 8.9 percent in the previous quarter, according to the latest Reuters poll.

Data for January came in below market expectations, with exports contracting 0.5 percent from a year earlier and money supply growth falling to 12.4 percent from the previous month's 13.6 percent, which analysts said argued for more easing.

"The growth implications of the below-normal lending in January are dire, should that lending pace be continued," said Paul Markowski, President of New York-based MES Advisers, a long-time investment adviser to China's monetary authorities, who calculates lending was on a 7.9 percent growth path.

Trader's Highlight

FCPO- SINGAPORE, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures closed off an eight-month high on Monday, as China's policy easing buoyed sentiment, while an improvement in demand prospects and technical outlook also provided support.

Major palm oil consumer China cut its reserve requirement ratio on Saturday for the first time this year in a move to boost liquidity and stimulate economic growth, improving demand prospects for the edible oil.

Hopes that Greece will be able to secure a second bailout package on Monday also lifted the palm oil futures market, which has gained 2.2 percent so far this year.

Benchmark May palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange inched up 0.1 percent to 3,245 ringgit ($1,075) per tonne, but off the day's high of 3,276 ringgit, a level last seen on June 15. Traded volumes stood at 21,096 lots of 25 tonnes each, slightly thinner than the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITY- BANGKOK, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Philippine shares climbed 1.3 percent to their all-time highs, and other Southeast Asian stock markets posted modest gains on Monday, helped by selective buying in blue chip firms as commodities-related shares gained along with high oil prices.

Across the region, investor appetite for riskier assets was boosted by a surprise policy easing by China and expectations that Greece would secure a second bailout deal.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia Pacific shares outside Japan was trading up 0.68 percent by 0944 GMT while the MSCI index for Southeast Asia <.MISU00000PUS>, made up of selected stocks, was up 0.9 percent.

Commodities-related shares led gainers in the region along with U.S. crude prices. Singapore's Noble Group rose 1 percent while Malaysia's Sime Darby was up 0.4 percent and Indonesia's Bumi Resources gained 1 percent.

In Singapore, property firms with large exposure to China were among the biggest gainers. CapitaLand Ltd rose 3.5 percent while its shopping mall unit CapitaMalls Asia added 4.8 percent.

RTRS-Argentine gov't sees soy crop at maximum 45 mln tonnes

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Argentina's soy harvest could be as small as 43.5 million tonnes due to drought damage, the government said in its first official estimate on Thursday, lower than many private forecasts.

Weeks of dry weather dimmed prospects for a bumper 2011/12 harvest in the world's No. 3 soybean exporter, which is also the top supplier of soyoil and soymeal, though recent rains have brightened the outlook - especially for later-seeded crops.

The Agriculture Ministry set 45 million tonnes as the top end of its forecast range because of "a decline in final yields, although not as big as initially expected."

The ministry said just 1 percent of early-seeded soy was in very good condition, although 48 percent was in good shape. That proportion was slightly higher for late-sown crops.

Corn, which is planted earlier than soy, was even harder hit by weeks of dry weather that lasted until mid-January, hampering plants as they passed through key yield-defining growth stages.

In its first official forecast, the ministry estimated corn production at between 20.5 million tonnes and 22 million tonnes.

"Harvesting has started of the first fields in the north of the country," the ministry said in its monthly crop report.

"Yields have been very patchy, but consistently below those of last season."

Argentina produced 48.9 million tonnes of soy and 22.9 million tonnes of corn in the 2010/11 crop year, according to official figures.

Trader's Highlight

DJI- NEW YORK, Feb 16 (Reuters) - The S&P 500 hit a nine-month high on Thursday, fueled by strong U.S. economic data and increased hopes for a deal on a Greek bailout next week.

The benchmark index posted its strongest percentage gain in two weeks, bouncing back from several sessions of back-and-forth action.

Sectors sensitive to economic growth paced the market, with technology, materials and financials leading on a day when all 10 S&P sectors finished higher.

Even with Thursday's gains, equity indexes remained in tight ranges, with the 1,360 barrier that investors cited for the S&P 500 as an impediment to more gains.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 123.21 points, or 0.96 percent, to 12,904.16. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index climbed 14.82 points, or 1.10 percent, to 1,358.05. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 44.02 points, or 1.51 percent, to 2,959.85.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Feb. 16 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended higher for a second straight day on Thursday on worries about Iran supply disruption and hopes that there may be an agreement next week on a Greece debt bailout.

Crude futures also got a boost from the euro's rebound against the dollar on optimism about Greece, which happened around midday, and from strong gasoline futures, which hit 5-1/2 month highs.

Greece expects to get approval from euro zone finance ministers on Monday to begin a debt swap scheme with private bondholders, moving it closer to averting a chaotic default.

In early trading, prices fell after ratings agency Moody's warned it may cut the credit ratings of 17 global and 114 European financial institutions, in yet another sign that the impact of the euro zone debt crisis was spreading across the global financial system.

Iran has told world powers it wants to resume long-stalled talks with "new initiatives" and France said it might be open to addressing suspicions about Tehran's nuclear program.

But Iran's ambassador to Moscow said Tehran would accept "no preliminary conditions" for progress in any further talks.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for March delivery settled at $102.31 a barrel, gaining 51 cents, the highest close since Jan. 4, when front-month crude ended at $103.22.

CBOT SOYBEANS, Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed lower on
Thursday, halting a four-day rally on technical selling including profit-taking after the market set a near four-month high this week, traders said.

Market under pressure as traders unwound long soybean/short corn spreads.

Soymeal and soyoil futures followed soybeans lower.

USDA reported export sales of U.S. soybeans in the latest week at 614,700 tonnes (old- and new-crop years combined), near the low end of trade estimates for 600,000 to 750,000 tonnes.

USDA showed weekly U.S. soymeal sales at 80,000 tonnes, below trade estimates, and soyoil sales at 21,100 tonnes, above trade estimates.

FCPO- SINGAPORE, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures slipped on Thursday as a delay in a second bailout package for Greece raised investors' concerns, although losses were limited thanks to dry weather fears in soy-producing South America.

Prospects of lower supply in soybean due to dry weather in Brazil provided some support for palm oil that competes with soyoil for use in biofuels and food.

Slowing exports for Malaysian palm oil and uncertainty in Europe, a major palm oil consumer, has weighed on the futures market that has edged higher so far this year.

"The recent exports data showed that exports for the first 15 days are not that strong but I suspect that this could be due to the delay in the issuance of tax-free crude palm oil quota, "said Ivy Ng, an analyst with Malaysia's CIMB Investment Bank.

"Exports should recover as we go into later part of the month, or if not in March," she added.

Benchmark May palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange eased 0.4 percent to close at 3,189 ringgit ($1,043) per tonne. Prices hit a high of 3,213 ringgit on Wednesday, a level last seen on Jan. 12. Traded volumes stood at 28,778 lots of 25 tonnes each, higher than the usual 25,000 lots for the first time this week.

REGIONAL EQUITY- Feb 16 (Reuters) - Singapore stocks retreated from a six-month high on Thursday while Indonesia slipped into negative territory for the month as Southeast Asia followed larger regional markets lower amid doubts about a further bailout for Greece.

Broad-based profit-taking was seen across most markets, particularly in resources and materials stocks that have been significant outperformers this year.

Singapore-listed commodities trading house Noble Group fell 4.3 percent after it hit a three-month high the previous session.

Elsewhere in the region, Malaysia's stock market <.KLSE>, considered the most defensive in the region due to low foreign ownership and reliance on domestic consumption, fell 0.7percent.

RTRS-Moody's may downgrade 114 banks from 16 European nations

Feb 16 (Reuters) - Moody's said it was taking ratings actions on 114 financial institutions in 16 European countries to reflect the impact of the continent's debt crisis and the deteriorating creditworthiness of governments in the region.

"Moody's expects that once ratings will fully reflect the effects of currently foreseen adverse credit drivers," the agency said.

Moody's said that for 99 financial institutions, the standalone credit assessments have been placed on review for downgrade. For 109 institutions, the long-term debt and deposit ratings have been placed on review for downgrade.

Feb 16 (Reuters) - Moody's Investor service warned on Thursday it could downgrade the credit ratings of 17 global banks and securities firms due to more fragile funding conditions, increased regulatory burdens and a more difficult operation environment.

Moody's said it is reviewing the long-term ratings and standalone credit assessments of Bank of America , Citigroup , Goldman Sachs , JPMorgan Chase , Morgan Stanley and Royal Bank of Canada .

The long-term ratings and standalone credit review of European banks include Barclays , BNP Paribas , Credit Agricole , Deutsche Bank , HSBC , Royal Bank of Scotland , Societe Generale .

Moody's said it was extending the reviews of the long-term ratings and standalone credit assessments of Credit Suisse , Macquarie , Nomura <8604.T> and UBS .

Trader's Highlight

DJI- NEW YORK, Feb 15 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday for the third session in four, with market direction largely dictated by the swings in shares of
Apple, the largest company in the world.

The S&P 500 appeared set for a strong move off a nine-month high as Apple Inc shares gained 3 percent in early trading, helped by Tuesday's disclosures that prominent hedge-fund managers had been buying the stock.

But Apple, the largest company by market capitalization, turned negative around midday and closed down 2.3 percent to $497.67, quickly reversing the Nasdaq index's advance. The stock had climbed as high as $526.29 during the session.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 97.33 points, or 0.76 percent, to 12,780.95. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index lost 7.27 points, or 0.54 percent, to 1,343.23. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 16.00 points, or 0.55 percent, to 2,915.83.

NYMEX- NEW YORK, Feb 15 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures rose on Wednesday on fears of supply disruptions from Iran and other producers and U.S. government data showing a small drop in inventories.

U.S. crude stockpiles fell 171,000 barrels, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said in a report, against a forecast for a 1.5 million barrel rise in supplies.

Gasoline stocks rose 400,000 barrels and distillate stocks fell 2.87 million barrels, the EIA report said.

Gasoline stocks had been expected to rise 800,000 barrels, and distillate stockpiles fall 1.1 million barrels, a Reuters survey of analysts ahead of the weekly inventory report.

Crude stocks held at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery point for the NYMEX light sweet crude contract, rose to their highest level since September, posting a 2 million-barrel build, the biggest weekly increase since December 2009.

Iran's Oil Ministry denied state media reports on the Islamic state stopping its crude exports to six European countries.

The initial report by Iran's state media had sent crude prices surging. The European Union has slated for an embargo of Iran's crude as part of the West's tightening sanctions over Tehran's controversial nuclear program.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, March crude rose $1.06, or 1.05 percent, to settle at $101.80 a barrel, having traded from $100.61 to $102.54, highest price
reached intraday since Jan. 12.

CBOT SOYBEANS- Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed higher for a fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, hovering near a four-month high on export demand for U.S. soybeans and concerns about crop weather in Brazil, traders said.

USDA confirmed sales of 116,000 tonnes of U.S. soybeans to China for delivery in 2011/12. The announcement followed confirmation of U.S. soybean sales to unknown destinations on Monday and Tuesday.

Trade expects announcement of U.S. soy purchase agreements during a Chinese trade delegation's visit to Iowa on Wednesday afternoon.

Soybeans gaining relative to CBOT corn this week on worries that U.S. farmers might not plant enough acres to soybeans this spring to meet global demand.

FCPO-SINGAPORE, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose to their highest level in over a month, boosted by dry weather concerns in South America, but the prospect of slowing demand due to Europe's economic woes led the contract to
close lower.

Hamburg-based oilseeds analyst Oil World cut its forecast for the 2012 soybean crops in drought-hit Brazil and Paraguay, and prospects of lower production supported palm oil prices, which tracked soybean oil closely.

But export trends in No.2 producer Malaysia pointed to declining demand for the vegetable oil and investors were wary that an uncertain outlook for Greece could further cut commodity consumption in Europe.

Benchmark April palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange eased 0.3 percent to close at 3,197 ringgit ($1,054) per tonne. Prices hit an intraday high of 3,213 ringgit, a level last seen on Jan. 12. Traded volumes stood at 23,479 lots of 25 tonnes each, slightly thinner than the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITY- Feb 15 (Reuters) - Stocks in Singapore and Thailand joined those in East Asian markets in rising on Wednesday in the belief central banks will boost economies through cash injections, though other Southeast Asian bourses slipped.

Indonesia was an underperformer, ending flat on the day, as funds balanced portfolios and rotated out of over-owned positions in favour of some of last year's laggards.

Investors in Singapore piled into shares of companies that were reporting strong earnings such as offshore vessel builder STX OSV Holdings Ltd. It soared 12 percent to a record high after reporting its fourth quarter net profit
doubled.

Malaysian stocks, considered the most defensive among regional markets due to its reliance on the domestic consumption and low foreign ownership, fell 0.3 percent
extending their underperformance this year.

RTRS- INDIA'S PEC TENDERS TO BUY 23,400 T RBD PALM OLEIN VEGETABLE OIL -TRADE

HAMBURG, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Indian state trading company PEC has issued an international tender to buy 23,400 tonnes of palm olein vegetable oil, European traders said on Tuesday.

The refined, bleached and deodorised (RBD) oil was for shipment between Mar. 1-31 in three consignments.

The oil should come from Indonesia or Malaysia. Bidding deadline is Friday, Feb. 17.

RTRS-Eurogroup drops face-to-face bailout talks as Greeks argue

BRUSSELS/ATHENS, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers dropped plans on Tuesday for a special face-to-face meeting on Greece's new international bailout, saying political party chiefs in Athens had failed to provide the required commitment to reform.

A source familiar with negotiations on Greece's 130 billion euro rescue also said conservative leader Antonis Samaras had yet to sign a commitment to implement the deeply unpopular package - a condition set by the EU/IMF lenders who are weary of broken Greek promises on economic reform and budget cuts.

Ministers in the Eurogroup had been expected to gather in Brussels on Wednesday for a meeting which, if all had gone to plan, would have approved the bailout and saved Greece from a messy bankruptcy next month.

However, with the European Union's patience with Greece close to breaking point, Eurogroup Chairman Jean-Claude Juncker said the ministers would hold only a telephone conference call before a regular meeting already scheduled for Feb. 20.

RTRS- OIL WORLD CUTS BRAZILIAN 2012 SOYBEAN CROP FORECAST BY 0.5 MLN T, PARAGUAY'S BY 1.4 MLN T

HAMBURG, Feb 14 (Reuters) - German Oilseeds analyst Oil World has cut its forecast of 2012 soybean crops in Brazil and Paraguay following drought in the two countries but raised its forecast for Argentina, it said on Tuesday.

Oil World said it had cut its forecast of Brazil's 2012 soybean crop to 69.5 million tonnes from 70 million tonnes estimated on Jan. 31 and 72.8 million it forecast in December.

Lack of rain means Brazil's crop would be well down on the 75.3 million tonnes it harvested in 2011.

Oil World also cut its forecast of Paraguay's soybean crop to 4.6 million tonnes from 6.0 estimated on Jan. 31 and 8.3 million tonnes harvested last year. The forecast cut was also made because of drought.

It raised its forecast of Argentina's 2012 soybean crop to 47.0 million tonnes from 46.5 million tonnes forecast on Jan. 31 and 52.0 million tonnes forecast in December.

This would still be down on the 49.2 million tonnes harvested in 2011 in Argentina.
Recent rain had helped Argentine soybeans, Oil World said.

The United States is the world's largest soybean exporter, Brazil the second and Argentine the third. Paraguay is a smaller exporter but its volumes are important to world markets.

Trader's Highlight

DJI- NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks erased losses to end little changed on Tuesday after a Greek government source said the conservative party leader was expected to deliver a letter of commitment to the country's international lenders.

A sign of Greece's commitment to the tough austerity measures demanded by euro zone leaders was a catalyst for buyers to jump into the stock market late in the session.

Euro zone finance ministers are due to hold a telephone conference call on Wednesday about a 130 billion euros bailout to avert a chaotic Greek default.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 4.24 points, or 0.03 percent, to 12,878.28. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index dropped 1.27 points, or 0.09 percent, to 1,350.50. The Nasdaq Composite Index edged up 0.44 points, or 0.02 percent, to 2,931.83.

NYMEX- NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell on Tuesday on weaker-than-expected U.S. retail sales for January, Greek debt worries and concerns about Europe's economy after Moody's warned it may cut the triple-A ratings of France, Britain and Austria.

Losses were limited by news that a Canadian oilsands processing plant that sends output to the U.S. Midwest would be shut longer than initially thought. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East also lent underlying support.

In post-settlement trading, NYMEX crude futures shifted slightly higher. But after weekly inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute showed that domestic crude stocks rose more than forecast, prices dipped to negative territory before heading to just above flat.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for March delivery settled at $100.74 a barrel, dipping 17 cents,or 0.17 percent, after trading between $100.28 to $101.84.

CBOT SOYBEANS- Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade rose for a third straight session, nearing a four-month high on dry weather stressing crops in southern Brazil and signs of fresh U.S. export demand, traders said.

March soybeans reached a peak of $12.61-3/4, the highest spot price on the continuous chart since Oct. 17, 2011.

Market shrugs off pressure from a rally in the dollar and declines on Wall Street as disappointing January U.S. retail sales data curbed investors' appetite for risky assets.

USDA confirmed sales of 283,000 tonnes of U.S. soybeans to unknown destinations, including 215,000 for 2011/12 delivery and 68,000 for 2012/13. The report followed sales of 120,000 tonnes of U.S. soy to unknown destinations announced on Monday.

FCPO- SINGAPORE, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose to more-than-a-month high on Tuesday, tracking a rally in U.S. soybeans on investor concern that hot, dry weather in South America could hurt production.

A weaker ringgit currency against the U.S. dollar also raised demand prospects for crude palm oil as the ringgit-priced feedstock now seems cheaper, helping the vegetable oil erase earlier losses to trade marginally higher this year.

"External factors are still uncertain and we will have to look at export numbers to see if the market will breach 3,200 ringgit," said a trader with a foreign commodities brokerage in Kuala Lumpur, referring to Malaysian export data for Feb. 1-15 which will be released on Wednesday.

Benchmark April palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 1.2 percent to 3,205 ringgit ($1,053), a level last seen on Jan. 12. Traded volumes stood at 25,490 lots of 25 tonnes each, slightly higher than the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITY- Feb 14 (Reuters) - Stocks in Singapore and Malaysia inched up while Indonesian and Philippine shares retreated on Tuesday as market players took profits amid concerns about the sovereign debt crisis in Europe.

Investors in the region were cautious after Moody's warned it could downgrade top-rated sovereigns including Britain, reminding investors that Europe is still deeply mired in a debt crisis despite Athens' steps to avoid a disorderly default.

Blue chips that had led recent gains across the region such as Singapore Telecommunications Ltd , Thai Oil Pcl and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co were among the stocks that fell on Tuesday.

RTRS-Early glimpse of US crops may get second look

Feb 13 (Reuters) - A U.S. government report offering the first look at this year's crop s is expected to show farmers in the United States planting the largest area with corn since World War Two amid high prices and favorable weather.

The U.S. Agriculture Department baseline report, due out midday Monday, has historically had little impact since it is based on data from November and not on surveys from farmers that will be used for the more authoritative estimates issued in March.

The baseline projections will be updated by the USDA with more current data on prices and economic conditions at its annual Outlook conference on Feb. 23 and 24.

Grain traders are keeping an eye on the baseline report this year -- not because they expect it to be a better yardstick for the crop, but because they believe hedge funds and other new investors may still use it as a trading point.

Forecasts for big crops of corn, wheat and soybeans in the world's top food producing nation will help bolster expectations that global grain stocks will rise this year and quell any inflationary spike in prices .

Farmers are expected to plant 94.2 million acres with corn because of highly profitable corn prices and due to a mild and dry winter likely spurring an early sowing season. Soybean plantings are expected to rise slightly from last year.

RTRS-Greece still to convince Europe over rescue deal

ATHENS/BRUSSELS, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Europe gave Greece until Wednesday to convince sceptical international creditors that it would stick to the punishing terms of a multi-billion-euro rescue package, endorsed by parliament as rioters torched downtown Athens.

Lawmakers backed drastic cuts in wages, pensions and jobs on Sunday as the price of a 130 billion euro ($170 billion) bailout by the European Union and International Monetary Fund to avert a messy default that would send shockwaves through the euro zone.

Scenes of running battles between police and rioters and flames engulfing cinemas, shops and banks underscored a sense of deepening turmoil in the country after more than four years of recession and two of punishing austerity.

The EU warned on Monday that the consequences of failure would be "devastating".

It gave the fragile ruling coalition of Prime Minister Lucas Papademos until Wednesday, when euro zone finance ministers are expected to meet, to specify how 325 million euros of the 3.3 billion euros demanded in budget savings will be achieved.

By the same deadline, Greek political leaders must give a written commitment to implement the terms of the deal, a Greek government spokesman said, reflecting fatigue among EU leaders who say they have heard enough broken promises.

Trader's Highlight

DJI-NEW YORK, Feb 13 (Reuters) - World stocks rose on Monday after Greece's parliament passed drastic austerity measures to avoid a chaotic debt default, but doubts over whether Athens will be able to live up to its promises and secure a new rescue package killed an initial rally in the euro.

U.S. crude oil prices closed more than 2 percent higher after Greece on Sunday approved sweeping budget cuts in exchange for a 130 billion euro bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

But concerns emerged over whether the country will be able to fulfill its tough austerity promises, keeping demand steady for safe-haven U.S. Treasuries and driving the euro lower.

Unrest in the streets of Athens and a voting rebellion by lawmakers of the ruling coalition suggested Greece may be on the brink of massive social unrest, which would make it difficult for Athens to stick to the rescue terms.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> ended 72.81 points, or 0.57 percent, higher at 12,874.04, while the Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 9.13 points, or 0.68 percent, to 1,351.77. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> gained 27.51 points, or 0.95 percent, to 2,931.39.

NYMEX- NEW YORK, Feb 10 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended higher on Monday, posting its biggest one-day gain in six weeks, a day after Greece's parliament adopted austerity measures the country needs to secure a second debt bailout package and avoid ruinous default.

Trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange's Globex electronic platform was marred by a halt shortly after 2 p.m. EST (2000 GMT) due to technical problems. Globex trading resumed at 3:15 p.m.

While Greece's action somewhat calmed markets worried about the economic health of the euro zone, it sparked unrest in the streets in Athens and a voting rebellion by lawmakers of its ruling coalition.

Europe gave Greece until Wednesday to convince international creditors that it would stick to the highly unpopular terms of the rescue package.

Middle East tensions were also supportive for crude futures.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for March delivery settled at $100.91 a barrel, gaining $2.24, or 2.27 percent, the biggest one-day percentage gain since Jan. 3. The contract fell $1.17 on Friday.

CBOT SOYBEANS- Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended higher as the dollar fell, encouraging investors to buy risky assets including grains and crude oil, and as worrisome crop weather in Brazil lent further support.

Buy-stops triggered in the closing minutes as March soybeans broke through resistance at $12.50 a bushel and climbed to $12.54, highest spot soy price since Oct. 19, 2011.

Heavy trade in soybean futures with volume roughly 45 percent above the prior 30-day average.

The dollar eased after Greece's parliament approved strict financial reforms needed to obtain an international bailout package. But the government remains under pressure to convince a skeptical euro zone that it will abide by the terms of the
package.

FCPO- SINGAPORE, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose to near three-week high on Monday after Greecem passed an unpopular austerity bill that could help avoid a messy default.

The Greek parliament approved on Monday the deeply unpopular austerity bill, injecting some much-needed optimism into the market and helping to lift financial markets, including palm oil that has lost 0.2 percent so far this year.

But market players were also concerned about prospects of slowing demand for palm oil especially as the tropical oil enters a period of recovering production.

Benchmark April palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange were up 1.2 percent to close at 3,168 ringgit ($1,048) per tonne. Prices earlier hit an intraday high of 3,171 ringgit, a level last seen since Jan. 25. Traded volumes stood at 22,750 lots of 25 tonnes each, slightly thinner than the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITY- Feb 13 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets posted limited gains on Monday following the passage of Greece's austerity bill and amid selective buying of dividend yielding shares and stocks that have strong earnings prospects.

Market players picked bluechips such as Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, Indonesia's PT Astra International Tbk and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co , among last week's beaten-down stocks.

Greece approved a deeply unpopular austerity bill to help secure a second bailout, even as riots in central Athens and violence across the country raised doubts about implementation of the approved spending cuts.

Investors appeared reluctant to buy riskier assets, awaiting further steps needed before the shadow of a debt default can be lifted. Regional indexes were largely capped in range, with turnover for most markets falling short of a 30-day average.

Some brokers said markets remained hopeful the Greece deal could be wrapped up successfully.
Singapore Telecommunications gained 1.95 percent after it comforted investors by reiterating a forecast for low single-digit full-year revenue growth in Singapore and stable dividends from its associate firms.

RTRS-Malaysia's Jan palm oil stocks fall to five-month low

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Malaysia's January palm oil stocks slipped to a five-month low as a decline in production outpaced a drop in exports, industry regulator Malaysian Palm Oil Board said on Friday.

Stocks in the world's No. 2 producer of the edible oil fell 2.5 percent to 2.0 million tonnes from December last year, almost matching market expectations of a 2.2 percent drop.

The still-high inventories can potentially shore up global edible oil supply in the wake of erratic weather affecting soy crops in south America. Benchmark palm oil futures <0#FCPO:> on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange may come under some pressure after losing 0.8 percent at midday ahead of the data release.

RTRS-INDIA'S JAN PALM OIL IMPORTS SEEN UP 3.1 PCT VS DEC, SOYOIL IMPORTS SEEN UP

NEW DELHI, Feb 10 (Reuters) - India's palm oil imports may have risen in January over the previous month as domestic supplies run out, a Reuters survey showed on Friday, but the imports could fall this month with start of the rapeseed harvest season.

Palm oil imports -- the bulk of India's edible oil purchases -- rose 3.1 percent last month to 569,750 tonnes, according to the survey of eight traders, with soyoil imports seen up 360.3 percent to 34,000 tonnes over December.

India mainly buys palm oils from Indonesia and Malaysia, and small quantities of soyoil from Argentina and Brazil. About half of India's 15-16 million tonnes of edible oils demand is met through imports.

The survey suggested total vegetable oil imports, including non-edible oils, would rise 6.6 percent in January to 714,375 tonnes from the previous month.

RTRS-IRAN HAS NOT APPROACHED MALAYSIA FOR BARTER DEALS TO SAFEGUARD PALM OIL SUPPLIES-MALAYSIA GOV'T SOURCES

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Iran has not approached Malaysia for barter deals to keep its palm oil supplies flowing as Western financial sanctions hurt it ability to pay for imported food staples, two Malaysian government sources told Reuters on Friday.

One of the sources said Malaysia is no longer keen to do barter trades after facing problems in a deal with North Korea in 2009 when $20 million worth of palm oil was to be exchanged for cash and fertiliser components.

"No matter how you do it, these countries don't have enough to barter. So Malaysia is not going to do barter trades for the time being," said the source, who had direct knowledge of the matter.

"We are more concerned if there are declines in exports in our top markets like India and China rather than Iran," the source added, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.

RTRS-China Jan soy imports down 15 pct vs Dec - customs

BEIJING, Feb 10 (Reuters) - China, the world's top soy buyer, imported 4.61 million tonnes of the oilseed in January, down 15 percent from 5.42 million tonnes in December, as crushers reduced imports during a holiday shutdown, figures from the General Administration of Customs of China showed on Friday.

On an annual basis, soy imports fell 10.2 percent in January, largely due to seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year fell in January this year but in February last year. Soy plants across the country typically close during the week-long holiday.

The seasonal distortion makes the January data particularly hard to read but after stripping away the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, average weekly import volumes in January rose 13 percent from the preceding month.

Demand for soy, used as a cooking oil and feedstock for pigs, typically jumps ahead of festive seasons, but confronted by climbing stocks and a post-holiday demand lull, analysts said imports could weaken in February before rebounding in March as farmers start to restock hogs.

"Global soybean prices are also on the high side, which should prevent China from going all out with imports in the coming weeks," said Ker Chung Yang, an analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore.

Trader's Highlight

DJI- NEW YORK, Feb 10 (Reuters) - The S&P 500 posted its biggest daily percentage decline thus far in 2012 on Friday after an about-face on Greece's long-awaited debt deal ended a five-week streak of gains for equities.

All but one of the 30 Dow components ended lower while all 10 S&P sectors fell, with cyclical sectors such as energy, financials and materials the biggest losers.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 89.23 points, or 0.69 percent, at 12,801.23. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 9.31 points, or 0.69 percent, at 1,342.64. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 23.35 points, or 0.80 percent, at 2,903.88.

NYMEX- NEW YORK, Feb 10 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell on Friday for the first time in four sessions after a far-right party in Greece refused to sign off on austerity measures, denting the country's efforts to secure an EU-IMF bailout package to avoid a crippling debt default.

But late in the day, the Greek cabinet approved a draft bill commiting Greece to reforms the EU and the IMF require in return for the bailout package. A parliamentary vote was set for Sunday, keeping hopes alive that the country would not fall into default.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude for March delivery settled at $98.67 a barrel, falling $1.17, or 1.17 percent. For the week, U.S. front-month crude rose 83 cents, or 0.85 percent from the $97.84 close on Feb. 3.

CBOT SOYBEANS- Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed firm on Friday after spending most of the session in the red, with the market rallying into the closing bell on a late flurry of buying.

Traders attributed the late-day rally variously to worries about hot and dry conditions in southern Brazil, traders buying soybeans against corn on intermarket spreads, and talk of Brazil increasing its biodiesel mandate later this year.

Soyoil gained relative to soymeal. Soybeans and other commodities were pressured for most of the session by a surge in the U.S. dollar as the euro fell after another snag in negotiations for a financial bailout package for Greece.

CBOT soybeans unofficially ended the week down 0.3 percent, snapping a three-week advance.

FCPO- SINGAPORE, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil fell on Friday on the back of a bearish U.S. crop report and prospects of slowing demand, although losses were capped by a long-awaited bailout deal for Greece which has yet to be
approved.

The U.S Department of Agriculture on Thursday forecast larger-than-expected soybean supplies in its monthly report even as a severe drought curbed yields in Brazil and Argentina, putting pressure on palm oil prices, which track soybean oil closely.

The market's a little bearish because it expects a steeper production drop in the South American crop," said a dealer with a foreign commodities brokerage in Kuala Lumpur.

However, the low production season in the first quarter and improving demand from China and India should support crude palm oil prices in the range of 3,000 to 3,200 ringgit in the near term," added the dealer.

Benchmark April palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange lost 0.5 percent to close at 3,131 ringgit ($1,034) per tonne. The futures market has lost 1.4 percent so far this year. Traded volumes were thin at 22,375 lots of 25 tonnes each, compared to the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITY- BANGKOK, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock indexes were mostly weaker on Friday as investors, awaiting a rescue package for Greece, trimmed positions in risky assets.

Jakarta's Composite Index shed 1.67 percent, falling at one point to the lowest since Jan. 16. One factor dragging it down was banks, hit by Bank Indonesia's unexpected decision on Thursday to cut the benchmark interest rates.

Some analysts said the rate cut dampened margin outlooks of banks and broad sentiment of the sector. Still, there was some optimism about the selling of bank shares did not signal the end of a bull market.

In Singapore, property developer CapitaLand Ltd and commodities firm Olam International pulled back after recent gains. CapitaLand fell 3.1 percent while Olam was down 2.9 percent.

Among weak spots, palm plantation firm Sime Darby Bhd edged down 0.3 percent and Thai petrochemical firm PTT Global Chemical Pcl fell 1.4 percent. They had rallied early this week.

RTRS-Malaysian exporters halt palm oil supply to Iran -sources

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil exporters have stopped supplying Iran with most of the 30,000 tonnes of the food staple the Middle Eastern country buys each month, or about half its demand, as Western financial curbs on Tehran stymie payments, two trading sources said.

The halt in Malaysia's palm oil exports to Iran, which the traders said started late last year, is the latest sign that sanctions aimed at persuading Tehran to abandon a suspected nuclear weapons programme have started to bite.

The sanctions, spearheaded by the United States and European Union, have made it difficult for Iranian palm oil buyers to use letters of credit and make payments via middlemen in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Malaysian exporters.

Malaysia is the world No.2 producer of palm oil, used to make products from bio-diesel to cooking oil. It is a key supplier of Iran's palm oil, along with Indonesia, the world's top producer.

"Most of the companies selling palm oil to Iran have stopped since the end of last year," one trader with direct knowledge of the deals told Reuters on Wednesday.

Trader's Highlight

DJI- NEW YORK, Feb 8 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed flat in another thinly traded session on Wednesday as Greece remained in a standstill over accepting tough reforms in exchange for a bailout critical to avoiding a chaotic default.

Underlying confidence kept the Dow near an almost four-year high notched on Tuesday, though trading has been quiet since last week's stellar employment report. The S&P and Nasdaq are both up 0.3 percent so far this week while the Dow is
essentially unchanged.

Greek party leaders gathered on Wednesday to agree to reforms demanded by the European Union and the Internationa Monetary Fund after delays.

European Central Bank policymakers were still divided on what contribution the bank could make to a restructuring of Greece's sovereign debt, sources said. The ECB has ruled out joining private creditors in voluntarily accepting a reduction in the value of the Greek bonds it holds.

"We would take a hit if Greece is unable to come to a deal, but lately we've been decoupling from Europe as markets catch up to how strong the economy appears to be," said Frederick.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 5.75 points, or 0.04 percent, at 12,883.95. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 2.91 points, or 0.22 percent, at 1,349.96. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 11.78 points, or 0.41 percent, at 2,915.86.

NYMEX- NEW YORK, Feb 8 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures rose for a second day on Wednesday, shrugging off data showing rising inventories and supported by strong gasoline futures as Brent crude pushed higher on hopes for a Greece debt deal and on
concerns about Iran.

Brent crude oil futures rose for the seventh straight day and posted their highest close in more than six months.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, March crude rose 30 cents, or 0.3 percent, to settle at $98.71 a barrel, having traded from $98.10 to $99.01.

CBOT SOYBEANS- Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade closed lower in seesaw trade as brokers adjusted positions a day ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's monthly crop reports, traders said.

Soybeans erased early gains after the dollar turned higher-- a bearish signal for dollar-backed U.S. grains and oilseeds-- and U.S. crude oil futures pared early advances.

March soybean futures matched their Jan. 3 high of $12.44-3/4 in overnight Globex trade but failed to break through resistance and move higher.

Additional pressure from much-needed rains that fell in the last day in Argentina, bolstering soybean yield prospects. Up to 3.5 inches fell in parts of Buenos Aires, said Drew Lerner of U.S.-based World Weather Inc.

USDA in its February crop and supply/demand reports is expected to show a small reduction in U.S. soy ending stocks and lower its estimates of South American corn and soybean production.

FCPO- SINGAPORE, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Malaysian crude palm oil jumped to a near three-week high on Wednesday as the market reopened after a two-day break, tracking broader markets, such as soyoil, ahead of a key U.S. crop report on Thursday.

The U.S. soyoil contract for March on the Chicago Board of Trade has gained 1.8 percent this week on prospects of higher demand, setting the stage for a palm oil rally.

Investors are keeping an eye on the February crop production as well as the supply and demand reports set to be issued by the U.S Department of Agriculture on Thursday.

Benchmark April palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange gained 2.3 percent to close at 3,155 ringgit ($1,051) per tonne, but off the earlier high of 3,158 ringgit, a level last seen on Jan. 26. Traded volumes stood at 24,972 lots of 25 tonnes each, just slightly thinner than the usual 25,000 lots.

REGIONAL EQUITY- BANGKOK, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock indexes rose on Wednesday as strong oil and metal prices bolstered commodities-related shares, and on hopes the Greece would agree to a reform deal that would open the way for a new
international rescue package.

Shares of Golden Agri climbed 2.6 percent to their highest in more than one year, Sime Darby rose 2.3 percent to the highest in almost three years, Indorama surged 10.07 percent to five-month highs.