GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks, euro up on upbeat data, firm Spanish auction
TOKYO, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Asian stocks and the euro rose on Wednesday after upbeat U.S. and German data and strong demand for Spanish debt, with investors' focus turning to a European Central Bank's tender as a gauge for euro zone funding strains.
"A significant uptake is all but guaranteed and that's something that could continue this 'risk-on' (mood)", said Robert Rennie, chief currency strategist at Westpac in Sydney.
COMMODITIES-Oil, other markets rally on positive data
NEW YORK, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Oil saw its biggest rally in nearly two months and prices from copper to cocoa jumped as well on Tuesday, after positive U.S. and German economic data enticed investors back into commodities.
"It's entirely to do with confidence," David Wilson, commodities analyst at Citigroup in London, said, explaining the latest rebound. "Anything that looks slightly positive generally causes a short covering rally."
Japan Nov crude oil import volume down 8.9 pct
TOKYO, Dec 21 (Reuters) - The volume of Japan's customs-cleared crude oil imports fell 8.9 percent in November from the same month a year earlier, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday.
Japan, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, imported 17.158 million kilolitres (3.60 million barrels per day) of crude oil last month, the preliminary data showed.
US crude stocks drop sharply as imports fall -API
NEW YORK, Dec 20 (Reuters) - - U.S. crude oil inventories fell heavily last week as imports fell and refiners drew down stocks for end of year tax purposes, according to weekly inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute released on Tuesday.
U.S. crude stockpiles fell 4.6 million barrels in the week to Dec. 16, more than analysts' expectations for a 2.3 million barrel fall. Crude stocks fell most in PADD 3, the Gulf Coast, dipping by almost 4 million barrels.
Oil up on supportive economic data, supply worry
NEW YORK, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose onTuesday, posting the biggest percentage rise since October, on supportive economic data that also lifted the euro and equities, coupled with worries about potential supply disruptions in Iran and Kazakhstan.
"The biggest driver behind today's oil rally, in our view, was the revived 'risk on' trade that featured a dramatic 300 point advance in the Dow Jones Industrials index and a pop in the euro," Jim Ritterbusch, president at Ritterbusch & Associates, said in a note that also cited the potential threats to supply.
NYMEX-Natural gas ends up, first time in 5 sessions
NEW YORK, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Front-month U.S. natural gas futures on Tuesday ended higher for the first time in five sessions, backed by technical buying after recent losses despite concerns about record high supplies and fairly mild December forecasts.
"The market has dropped sharply over the last couple of weeks and was due for a technical bounce, but with industrial demand typically slower during the holidays and no weather demand, it doesn't bode well for prices," a Pennsylvania-based trader said.
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