Tuesday, November 1, 2011

20111101 1812 FCPO EOD Daily Chart Study.

FCPO closed : 2923, changed : -15 points, volume : lower.
Bollinger band reading : pullback correction upside biased.
MACD Histrogram : weakening, buyer taking profit.
Support : 2920, 2900, 2850, 2800 level.
Resistance : 2950, 2970, 3020, 3050 level.
Comment :
FCPO closed recorded loss for the third day with better volume transacted while overnight soy oil closed recorded loss and continue to trading weaker currently while crude oil price also trading severely lower.
Weaker global equity markets sentiment, slower demand and better crop expectation lead broad commodities, soy oil and FCPO to trade negatively.
Daily chart formed a larger body down doji bar candle closed in between middle and upper Bollinger band level after market opened and edge up little higher, slide downward slowly until the end of first sessios followed by after lunch session fall tested lower support level and recovered slightly to closed near the low of the day.
Chart reading remained suggesting a pullback correction upside biased market development testing support and resistance level.
When to buy : buy at support or weakness with quick cut loss and profit target.
When to sell : sell at resistant or strength with quick cut loss and profit target.

20111101 1746 FKLI EOD Daily Chart Study.

FKLI closed : 1466.5, changed : -14.5 points, volume : higher.
Bollinger band reading : pullback correction upside biased.
MACD Histrogram : turned downward, buyer taking profit.
Support : 1458, 1445, 1440, 1435 level.
Resistance : 1470, 1485, 1500, 1515 level.
Comment :
FKLI closed recorded loss with better volume changed hand doing about 9 points discount compare to cash market that also closed lower. Overnight U.S. markets closed substantially lower and today Asia markets traded mostly weaker while European markets currently sliding lower.
Global markets reacted negatively to news on MF Global bankruptcy, slowdown in China manufacturing growth and Greek pledged to put the European Union’s agreement on financing for Greece to a referendum.
FKLI daily chart formed a down doji bar candle positioned in between middle and upper Bollinger band level after market opened lower, edge up higher testing 1480 level followed by after lunch session downward fall before recovered slightly to closed off the low of the day.
Chart study suggesting FKLI is doing pullback correction within an upside biased market development testing support and resistance level.
When to buy : buy at support or weakness with quick cut loss and profit target.
When to sell : sell at resistance or strength with quick cut loss and profit target.

20111101 1705 Regional Markets EOD Daily Chart Study.

 DJIA chart reading :  pullback correction upside biased.
Hang Seng chart reading :  pullback correction upside biased.
KLCI chart reading : upside biased with possible pullback correction.

20111101 1654 Global Market & Commodities Related News.

Asian Stocks Drop on Slower China Manufacturing, Europe Concern (Bloomberg)
Asian stocks fell for a second day as China’s manufacturing grew at a slower pace and after Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou pledged to put the European Union’s agreement on financing for Greece to a referendum. Jiangxi Copper Co., China’s largest producer of the metal, declined 5 percent. HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA), Europe’s biggest lender by market value, dropped 3.3 percent in Hong Kong on speculation a default by Greece will threaten bank earnings. Panasonic Corp. (6752) sank 5.1 percent in Tokyo as the maker of Viera televisions predicted its worst annual loss in 10 years. DeNA Co. tumbled 20 percent after the Japanese website operator posted profit that missed its own forecast. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 1.9 percent to 119.5 as of 4:07 p.m. in Tokyo. The measure gained 7.7 percent last month, the most since Sept. 2010, as Europe appeared close to a deal to contain its debt crisis, reports showed the U.S. economy grew faster and China hinted at easier monetary policy.

Japan Stocks Drop Most in Month as Europe Concern Flares; Panasonic Slides (Bloomberg)
Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell the most in a month after Panasonic Corp. (6752) forecast its biggest loss in a decade and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou put Europe’s debt agreement at risk with a promise to let voters decide whether they’ll take the deal. Nissan Motor Co., which depends on Europe for 15 percent of its sales, slid 1.9 percent. Panasonic fell 5.1 percent after the electronics maker predicted a $5.3 billion loss amid falling television sales and restructuring costs. DeNA Co. tumbled by its daily limit after the website operator missed profit estimates. Fanuc Corp. (6954), a maker of industrial robots that counts Asia as its biggest market, declined 3.6 percent after a report showed China’s manufacturing expanded less than forecast.
The Nikkei 225 (NKY) Stock Average fell 1.7 percent to 8,835.52 at the 3 p.m. close in Tokyo, its steepest drop since Oct. 3. The broader Topix index sank 1.3 percent to 754.50. The gauge climbed 3.3 percent last week after Europe reached a debt deal that may now be in jeopardy.

Most China Stocks Drop on Manufacturing Slowdown; Anhui Conch, Poly Slump (Bloomberg)
Most Chinese stocks fell as a slowdown in the nation’s manufacturing growth overshadowed speculation that the government will soon ease monetary policies to spur the economic expansion. Anhui Conch Cement Co. and Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. led a retreat for industrial companies after the Purchasing Managers’ Index slid to 50.4 in October, the lowest since February 2009. Poly Real Estate Group Co., the nation’s second-largest developer, lost the most in two weeks after SouFun Holdings Ltd. said home prices fell for a second month amid price cuts. China Life Insurance Co., the biggest insurer, advanced 2.3 percent after UBS AG said a rebound for equities will boost profits. “The drop in PMI may shatter investors’ confidence and reignite concerns that earnings in the fourth quarter may be worse than expected,” said Wu Kan, a fund manager at Dazhong Insurance Co., which oversees $285 million. “Stocks may fluctuate at the current level.”

Euro debt worry hurts riskier assets; dollar firms
TOKYO, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Renewed worries about the slow progress in resolving the euro zone's debt crisis dampened investor appetite for risk, sending Asian shares and commodities lower while keeping pressure on the euro.
"The depth and breadth of unanswered questions from Thursday's EU deal, the spectacle of euro-peripheral bonds yields/yield spreads mostly higher on Monday and general support afforded the USD from the BOJ's intervention, ensured EURUSD traded down in fits and starts throughout Monday," BNP Paribas analysts wrote in a note.

European Stocks Drop as Greece’s Government Calls Referendum; Banks Tumble (Bloomberg)
European stocks dropped, for the Stoxx Europe 600 Index’s biggest plunge in four weeks, as the announcement of a Greek referendum spurred concern that the country may default. U.S. futures and Asian shares retreated. Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN) plunged 8.6 percent, leading a selloff in lenders, after the Swiss bank reported earnings that missed analysts’ estimates. Danske Bank A/S slumped 7.1 percent after Denmark’s largest lender posted an unexpected loss. Mining companies tumbled after a gauge of Chinese manufacturing dropped to the lowest level since February 2009. The Stoxx 600 slid 3 percent to 236.29 at 8:29 a.m. in London, extending yesterday’s 2.2 percent selloff. Futures contracts on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 1.8 percent and the MSCI Asia Pacific Index tumbled 2.1 percent.

FOREX-Yen wary of more intervention; euro slumps
SINGAPORE, Nov 1 (Reuters) - The dollar held steady versus the yen on Tuesday, having pulled back from a three-month high as the impact of Japan's massive intervention faded a touch, while growing doubts over a plan to contain Europe's debt crisis weighed on the euro.  
Trading in dollar/yen remained relatively choppy after Japan's yen-selling intervention on Monday, which major Japanese daily the Asahi newspaper said reached a record 10 trillion yen ($128 billion).

U.S. wheat up half pct after selloff; corn dips
SINGAPORE, Nov 1 (Reuters) - U.S. wheat rose around half a percent, while soybeans edged higher as the agricultural markets regained some ground on hopes of end-user demand following losses sparked by Europe's debt crisis.
"The market is quite aware of the fact that Ukrainian wheat crops are heading into winter dormancy period in too dry condition and there is concern over production prospects," said Luke Mathews, a commodity strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Sao Martinho takes stake in Brazil cane mill
RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Brazilian sugar and ethanol producer Sao Martinho  said it bought a 32 percent stake in cane mill Santa Cruz Acucar and an 18 percent stake in its agricultural management company Agropequaria Boa Vista for a combined 187.4 million reais ($110 million).
This is that latest in a long series of mergers and acquisitions that has swept through Brazil's cane industry since the financial crisis in 2008 weakened many over-leveraged mills to the point that they became soft takeover targets for deep-pocketed milling groups like Sao Martinho.
 
Argentine truckers reach deal, end Rosario strike
BUENOS AIRES, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Argentine trucking companies reached a deal on Monday to lift a strike that they had called at the country's main grains hub Rosario.
The work stoppage was called last week but had not been in force long enough to reduce exports from agricultural powerhouse Argentina, which is the world's No. 1 supplier of soyoil and soymeal and its No. 2 supplier of corn.

Cameroon cocoa bean exports up to 27,636 T in Sept
YAOUNDE, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Cameroon, the world's fifth largest grower, exported some 27,636 tonnes of cocoa in September, up from 9,777 tonnes the previous month, according to statistics from the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB), seen by Reuters on Monday.
The figures, which were confirmed by the Cocoa and Coffee Interprofessional Board (CCIB), showed a slight increase from 24,593 tonnes in the same month last season.

Ivorian cocoa arrivals pick up, quality a concern
ABIDJAN, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Ivorian cocoa arrivals picked up last week, and exporters said farmers had begun to sell some hoarded beans in order to pay school fees and prepare for an upcoming Muslim holiday, but bean quality was a concern.
Meanwhile, there were mixed weather reports from across the West African nation. Farmers in some areas complained that too much rain was causing disease to spread, while others said the balance of rain and sun was perfect.

Oil prices slip; market eyes FOMC, G20 meetings
PERTH, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on a stronger U.S. dollar, continuing uncertainty about the resolution of the euro zone's debt crisis and the collapse of MF Global Holdings.
"As cooler heads prevail and look around and actually start analysing the euro zone situation, they realise we still got a ways to go," said Tony Nunan, a risk manager with Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Corp.

COLUMN-Drilling boom heralds big oil output rise: John Kemp
--John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own--
LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Soaring oil prices have spurred a worldwide drilling boom that should result in much-faster growth in oil production over the next 2-3 years, helping meet strong growth in consumption, and tempering upward pressure on prices.
The number of rotary rigs drilling for oil and gas stands at the highest level for over two decades, according to oilfield services company Baker Hughes.

COLUMN-UK solar power support is expensive folly-Gerard Wynn
--Gerard Wynn is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own.--
LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Britain took the right step on Monday by playing to its energy strengths and limiting the northerly country's support for solar, but will now need to deliver on offshore wind and long-mooted plans for carbon capture and storage (CCS).
The government on Monday announced plans to halve support for small-scale rooftop generation of solar power, saving an estimated 700 million pounds ($1.13 billion) annually by 2014-15.

COLUMN-Who's to blame for the iron ore rout? Andy Home

--Andy Home is a Reuters columnist. The opinions expressed are his own--
LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The price of spot iron ore has collapsed over the last couple of weeks.The Platts' 62 percent iron ore index , the most widely used of the spot market assessments, slumped by 19 percent last week alone to $116.75 per tonne. It has fallen by over $60 per tonne since September.  
This is unprecedented. Quite literally.

COLUMN-Brent spreads point to easing oil market: John Kemp
--John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own--
LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Global oil markets have softened significantly in the last two weeks as mounting evidence of slowing consumption and the resumption of Libyan oil exports eases fears about near-term shortages.
While tightening of U.S. oil markets and WTI's shift into a small backwardation has captured the headlines, the Brent market, which is more representative of global supply and demand trends, has moved briskly in the other direction.

London Metal Exchange suspends MF Global from trading
SINGAPORE, Nov 1 (Reuters) - The London Metal Exchange has suspended broker-dealer MF Global from trading on the exchange with immediate effect, the LME said in a statement.
MF Global filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday following bad bets on euro zone debt and London's LCH Clearnet declared it a defaulter.

Barclays commodities trade weaker amid volatility
LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Barclays Plc  reported lower contributions from its commodities trading division in January-September 2011 after extreme volatility in oil and metals in the second and third quarters took a toll.
The results, which suggest increasing competition in the crowded sector, mirror weaker performance by major commodities players on Wall Street. They contrast with the improved performance of some European rivals.

Short supply to keep lifting metals prices-PDAC chief
HELSINKI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Key metals like copper, iron ore and manganese may rise further in the long term as emerging countries are using more of them and reserves are decreasing, the head of a Canadian mining industry group said on Monday.
"Iron ore and all the real fundamentals are going to continue to rise, because there is finite amount of those metals," Scott Jobin-Bevans, president of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) told Reuters on the sidelines of a Finnish mining seminar.

Moody's cuts Europe steel outlook to "negative"
LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Ratings agency Moody's has cut its outlook for the European steel industry to "negative" and said it expects demand to weaken by up to 4 percent in the next 12 months, as the industry faces economic strain and weak construction and auto markets.
Weak developed markets, exacerbated by the euro zone debt crisis, and tight credit conditions in China -- the world's biggest steel consumer and producer -- have weighed on the sector, even if the costs of raw materials are falling.  

BUY OR SELL-Will China rescue ailing iron ore price?
SYDNEY/SHANGHAI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - An unclear demand picture in China and the promise of additional supply are teaming up to drive down the price of iron ore, now in its eighth straight week of decline.
The "rust-red gold" that raced to a record $192 a tonne in February has lost a third  of its value in the last month, sinking to $116.75 tonne, according to Platts , its lowest since July 2010.

Iron ore price drop to boost Chinese imports by sea
LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Weaker international iron ore prices are driving high-cost Chinese domestic suppliers to cut output, which will push the top consumer and steelmaker to rely more on seaborne imports in the coming weeks, supporting the dry freight market.
International iron ore prices have dropped more than 30 percent since September, including a record 18 percent plunge last week, as lower steel prices have forced Chinese steelmakers to cut production.

Iron ore price slump to deepen despite Indian supply cut
BEIJING/MUMBAI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - With demand from top buyer China still weak, global iron ore prices are not expected to recover in the next few weeks and may not yet be at their nadir despite a slump in deliveries from the world's third largest producer, India.
R.K. Sharma, secretary-general of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) said on Monday that a precipitous drop in prices since September had made it hard for Indian suppliers to meet their high rail freight and export duty costs, forcing them to cut shipments to a minimum.

Brazil uranium output to rise six-fold this decade
BRASILIA, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Brazil is set to increase production of uranium six-fold in as many years to feed up to eight more nuclear plants the country could build by 2030, the state uranium miner said on Monday.
Industrias Nucleares do Brasil, INB, plans to double output at its Caetite mine in the northeastern state of Bahia in the next five years to 800 tonnes and start producing 1,500 tonnes per year from a new mine further north in the state of Ceara.

Copper down on China factory slowdown, euro zone woes
SHANGHAI, Nov 1 (Reuters) - London copper slipped on a stronger dollar and an unexpected slowdown in China's factory activity, with doubts over last week's euro zone bailout plan further dampening sentiment.
"The commodity and equity markets rose temporarily after the media reported President Hu Jintao's speech about being confident in the euro zone's ability to handle the crisis," said CIFCO Futures analyst Zhou Jie.

Another Australian nickel mine on block as metal price slips
SYDNEY, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Australian miner Kagara Ltd  said on Tuesday it was talking to potential buyers for its nickel mine, the latest in a series of sales which could lead to further consolidation in the local sector as global prices for the metal falter.
Kagara, better known for its copper and zinc mines, did not name any suitors for its Lounge Lizard deposit in Western Australia state. The talks follow notification by Kagara's mining partner, Western Areas , that it was not interested.

METALS-Copper down on China factory slowdown, euro zone woes
SHANGHAI, Nov 1 (Reuters) - London copper slipped on Tuesday on a stronger dollar and an unexpected slowdown in China's factory activity, with doubts over last week's euro zone bailout plan further dampening sentiment.
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange  fell 0.6 percent to $7,949 a tonne by 0344 GMT, after losing 2.3 percent in the previous session.

PRECIOUS-Gold steady on euro zone fear; firm dollar weighs
SINGAPORE, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Spot gold was steady on Tuesday, supported by safe-haven demand on resurfacing uncertainty over euro zone's resolution to its debt crisis, while a strong dollar weighed down on prices.
The euphoria over euro zone's plan to tackle its debt crisis faded, with Italian and Spanish bond yields soaring ahead of a key Group of 20 meeting that would likely press Europe on details of its debt solution.

Gold steady on euro zone fear; firm dollar weighs
SINGAPORE, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Spot gold was steady, supported by safe-haven demand on resurfacing uncertainty over euro zone's resolution to its debt crisis, while a strong dollar weighed down on prices.
"The European problems will resurface through the end of the year," said Dominic Schnider, head of commodity research at UBS Wealth Management in Singapore, expecting the safe-haven demand to help gold revisit a record high above $1,920 in the remaining months of the year.

20111101 1125 Global Market & Commodities Related News.

China PMI Drops to Lowest in Almost 3 Years (Bloomberg)
A Chinese manufacturing index dropped to the lowest level since February 2009, bolstering the case for fiscal or monetary loosening to support the expansion of the world’s second-biggest economy. The Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 50.4 in October from 51.2 in September, the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said in a statement today. That was lower than any of 16 economist estimates in a Bloomberg News survey that had a median forecast of 51.8. A reading above 50 indicates expansion. An index of export orders contracted for the second time in three months as Europe’s failure to resolve its debt crisis dims the outlook for shipments to China’s biggest market. South Korea reported today the weakest export growth since 2009 and Taiwan’s government said yesterday that the island’s economy expanded by the least in two years.
The PMI reading “is a reflection of slowing momentum in the economy” and exports may “slow sharply in coming months,” said Wang Tao, a Hong Kong-based economist at UBS AG. “Policy will ease more visibly in the first quarter of 2012.” A separate manufacturing index released today by HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics rose to 51 from 49.9. The surveys have different sample sizes and methodologies. Premier Wen Jiabao said last week that economic policies will be “fine-tuned” as needed. That fueled speculation that the government may ease reserve requirements for smaller banks and add fiscal stimulus, putting growth ahead of inflation risks.

Asia Stocks Fall, Bond Risk Climbs on Outlook (Bloomberg)
Asian stocks fell, South Korea’s won weakened and the cost of insuring bonds against default rose as data added to evidence that regional economies are slowing as Europe’s debt crisis curbs exports. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped 0.9 percent at 11:15 a.m. in Tokyo. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures lost 0.4 percent. The euro weakened 0.1 percent to $1.3845 and the yen was little changed, after a 3.1 percent slump yesterday. South Korea’s won slipped 0.2 percent. The Markit iTraxx Australia index of debt-default risk headed for the biggest increase in four weeks. Oil fell for a third day in New York. China’s manufacturing, South Korean exports and Taiwan’s economy are all expanding at the slowest pace since 2009, based on data released since late yesterday. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou pledged to hold a referendum on the European Union’s latest bailout plan for the nation, days before Group of 20 leaders gather Nov. 3-4 for a summit in Cannes, France, to discuss the debt crisis.

GLOBAL MARKET-Euro debt worry, firmer dollar hurt riskier assets
TOKYO, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Renewed worries about a slow progress in resolving the euro zone's debt crisis and a firmer dollar dampened investor appetite for risk, sending Asian shares and commodities lower on Tuesday while keeping pressure on the euro.
"The depth and breadth of unanswered questions from Thursday's EU deal, the spectacle of euro-peripheral bonds yields/yield spreads mostly higher on Monday and general support afforded the USD from the BOJ's intervention, ensured EURUSD traded down in fits and starts throughout Monday," BNP Paribas analysts wrote in a note.

COMMODITIES-Oil, gold, copper trim monthly gains as dollar jumps
NEW YORK/LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Oil, copper and gold slid on Monday, trimming gains for the month after intervention by Japan to stem the yen's rise sent the dollar soaring and doubts grew about a deal to tackle the European debt crisis.
"You have to chalk that up as the number-one negative for commodities in general on the day," said Bill O'Neill, partner of LOGIC Advisors in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Oil edges lower on dollar, but posts monthly gain
NEW YORK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped in low-volume trading on Monday, but posted big monthly gains, as the dollar rose against the yen after Japan intervened in the market to stem the rise of its currency.
"It's not going to be as easy moving accounts over to a new firm. There are going to be a lot of people in line and so I would think that it's going to be a very volatile, low volume week," said Carl Larry, of Blue Ocean Brokerage.

Natural gas ends up, milder forecasts limit gains
NEW YORK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas futures ended slightly higher on Monday after late short covering, but moderating weather forecasts for the Northeast and Midwest and concerns about growing supplies helped limit the upside.
"I'm surprised we ended up today. It doesn't look like there's going to be much demand over the next two weeks, and cash is trading 30 cents under futures," said Gelber & Associates analyst Pax Saunders in Houston.

Euro Coal-Prices steady, poor demand pressure mounts
LONDON, Oct 31 (Reuters) - European prompt physical coal prices were steady on Monday despite a rise in the dollar and falls across equity and commodity markets.
"Everybody expected the Chinese would come back ready to buy serious quantities after the Golden Week holidays but it just never happened and now we're seeing traders under pressure to get rid of very prompt cargoes which China doesn't want right now," one European trader involved in sales to Asia said.

Iron-Ore Collapse Seen Ending Most Profitable Shipping in a Year: Freight (Bloomberg)
Steelmaker demand for iron ore, the biggest source of cargoes for commodity carriers, is weakening, threatening to end the most profitable shipping rates in almost a year. Ore stockpiles at ports in China, the largest user, already expanded to within 3.6 percent of a record, according to Antaike Information Development, a Beijing-based researcher. Chinese steelmaking is near the least profitable in almost three years, data compiled by Bloomberg Industries show. Iron-ore swaps, traded by brokers and used to bet on future costs, show no price rebound until at least 2013, according to Clarkson Securities Ltd., a unit of the world’s biggest shipbroker. ArcelorMittal, the world’s biggest steelmaker, and Angang Steel Co. are among producers that idled furnaces as slowing global growth drove benchmark prices for the metal down 15 percent since March. For capesizes, vessels hauling about 80 percent of seaborne iron ore, that means a 40 percent drop in rates in the next quarter, according to Pareto Securities AS.

20111101 1007 Malaysia Corporate Related News.

Kuok Brothers to buy out Jerneh Asia
Jerneh Asia’s major shareholder, Kuok Brothers SB with a 37.7% direct stake, has launched a conditional takeover offer for Jerneh Asia in a move that could provide a quicker way to wind up matters at the cash-rich company that has been without a core business since last year. Kuok Brothers is offering RM1.45 cash per share for all remaining Jerneh Asia shares it does not own and for all new Jerneh Asia shares which may be issued arising from the exercise of the outstanding warrants. It is also looking to acquire the remaining 2.96m warrants for RM0.45 apiece. Kuok Brothers and persons acting in concert (PACs) hold a combined 41.8% stake and the deal is estimated to cost Kuok Brothers RM207.2m. (Financial Daily)

Hock Seng Lee wins RM90.3m SCORE contract
Hock Seng Lee (HSL) has secured a RM90.3m contract for a new rural water treatment plant project in Samalaju, Bintulu in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). The contract, through tender, will be the second water treatment plant to be built in Samalaju to serve the energy-intensive industries there. The treatment plant would comprise a pump house, chemical house, aerators, flocculation tanks, sedimentation tanks and other filtration process facilities. The contract period is for 17 months and HSL expects to take possession of the project site later this month. (StarBiz)

TRC wins RM51m award to upgrade Lumut jetty
TRC Synergy has secured a RM51.4m contract to upgrade the facilities at the Lumut jetty in Perak. TRC had received a letter of acceptance from Jabatan Kerja Raya for the contract. (Malaysian Reserve)

Ireka unit wins RM85m Vietnam contract
Ireka Corp’s Vietnam-based unit has been awarded a RM85.15m building contract from Hoa Lam-Shangri-La 1 LLC. The contract was for the construction of a nine-storey City International Hospital at the International Hi-Tech Healthcare Park in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh. The contract entails the architectural, mechanical, electrical, external and ancillary works for the general hospital. (Malaysian Reserve)

20111101 1006 Local & Global Economic Related News.

Malaysia: Online consumer confidence falls in Q3
Malaysia's online consumer confidence experienced the biggest quarterly decline in the third quarter of this year since the third quarter of 2008, dropping nine points to an index of 101. According to the latest global online consumer confidence findings from Nielsen, the drop in Malaysian consumer optimism echoes the discouraging economic data released during the quarter. (BT)

Taiwan: Taiwan GDP rises least in two years
Taiwan’s economy expanded at the slowest pace in two years last quarter as a faltering global recovery hurt exports, prompting the government to cut its growth outlook for this year and 2012. Gross domestic product climbed 3.37% in the three months through September from a year earlier, after rising 5.02% in the second quarter, the statistics bureau said in a preliminary estimate in Taipei yesterday. The median of 13 forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey was for a 3.56% gain. Europe’s debt crisis and elevated US unemployment have sapped demand for Asian exports, contributing to an easing in economic growth in nations from China to South Korea. (Bloomberg)

EU: Spain economy stalls in third quarter, adding to government’s difficulties
The Spanish economy stalled in the third quarter as unemployment surged, adding to the Socialist government’s difficulties three weeks before a general election. Gross domestic product stagnated from the previous quarter, when it grew 0.2%, the Bank of Spain in Madrid estimated today. From a year earlier, GDP rose 0.7% in the third quarter. Internal demand fell while exports and tourism bolstered the economy, the central bank said. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriquez Zapatero’s plan to cut Spain’s borrowing costs from euro-era records has crimped domestic demand while eroding the Socialists’ popularity as they reduced public wages and froze pensions. (Bloomberg)

EU: Europe seeking crisis-fighting funds faces resistance before Cannes G-20
European governments are running into initial resistance as they seek to use this week’s Group of 20 summit to turn early praise for their revamped crisis- fighting strategy into financial support. The G-20 leaders convene 3 to 4 Nov in Cannes, France, a week after euro-area authorities pledged to magnify the capacity of their rescue fund to EUR1trn (USD1.4trn) and look beyond their borders for help in doing so as they combat the debt turmoil posing the biggest threat to global growth. While the help of China and cooperation of the International Monetary Fund were immediately sought, pledges of hard cash are proving hard to come by as G-20 members press for more details of the plan. (Bloomberg)

US: Business activity grows as factories accelerate economic recovery
Business activity in the US expanded in October at about the same pace as in the prior month, a sign overseas demand and business investment will help keep the economy expanding. The Institute for Supply Management-Chicago Inc. said today its business barometer decreased to 58.4 in October from 60.4 the prior month. A level of 50 is the dividing line between expansion and contraction. The group’s employment gauge climbed to a six-month high. Improving consumer spending is lifting sales at manufacturers like Chrysler Group LLC, combined with rising demand from emerging economies and the need to replace outdated equipment, means assembly lines will keep humming. (Bloomberg)

US: Raises borrowing estimates on spending, lower revenue
The US Treasury Department raised its estimate for fourth-quarter government borrowing by USD21bn to USD305bn, reflecting in part lower revenue and higher spending. The estimates set the stage for the Treasury’s quarterly refunding announcement later this week. Officials on 2 Nov will reveal their plans for sales of longer-term notes and bonds during the current quarter. “The increase in borrowing relates to lower receipts, higher outlays and changes in the cash balance assumptions partially offset by higher net issuances of state and local government series securities,” the Treasury said in a statement today in Washington, revising upward the fourth-quarter projection of about USD285bn made three months ago. (Bloomberg)

US stocks decline amid growing concern about European funding
US stocks slumped, giving the S&P 500 Index its biggest decline in almost a month, amid concerns European leaders will struggle to raise funds to contain the region’s sovereign debt crisis. Stocks extended losses in the final hour of trading after Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said he will put the European Union’s new agreement on financing for Greece to a referendum. The S&P 500 dropped 2.5% to 1,253.30, erasing its 2011 gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.3% to 11,955.01. (Bloomberg)

20111101 1000 Global Market Related News.

MF’s Corzine Key Man Bonds Fail to Make First Payments: Corporate Finance (Source: Bloomberg)
Bond investors lent MF Global Holdings Ltd. (MF) $650 million three months ago in a bet Jon Corzine would succeed in turning the futures broker into a mini-version of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. The firm filed for bankruptcy before making its first interest payment on the debt. Investors from mutual fund manager Franklin Resources Inc. (BEN) to teacher retirement plan manager TIAA-CREF purchased $325 million of 6.75 percent senior unsecured debt, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The bonds, due in 2016, dropped 2.5 cents to 47.5 cents on the dollar in trading yesterday after the New York-based brokerage sought court protection.
The plunge shows how quickly a financial company can falter when it loses investor confidence. Less than three months before Corzine disclosed the extent of a $6.3 billion bet on European sovereign debt, the former New Jersey governor and Goldman Sachs co-head was deemed so key to the broker’s success that bondholders demanded an extra percentage point of interest if he left for a post in the Obama administration.

MF Global Files for Bankruptcy Protection (Source: Bloomberg)
MF Global Holdings Ltd., the holding company for the broker-dealer run by ex-Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) co-chairman Jon Corzine, filed for bankruptcy protection as it seeks to reorganize after making bets on European sovereign debt. Its broker-dealer unit, MF Global Inc., faces liquidation. The firm listed debt of $39.7 billion and assets of $41 billion in Chapter 11 papers filed today in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan. MF Global’s board met through the weekend to consider options including sale, a person with direct knowledge of the situation said. The filing came as MF Global told regulators of potential “deficiencies” in some customer accounts, according to a statement by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
“They were trying to get a deal but at the end of the day the majority of their business is built on trust,” Scott Peltz, the national leader of RSM McGladrey’s Financial Advisory Services Group in Chicago, said today in an interview. “They had a huge position in European debt, which led to a lot of the troubles. There will be questions about that.”

MF Global Bankruptcy Leaves Star Bankers Adrift as Industry Cuts (Source: Bloomberg)
MF Global Holdings Ltd. (MF)’s bankruptcy filing is throwing into question the futures of some of Wall Street’s most experienced bankers. Jon Corzine, 64, who helped run Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) from 1994 to 1999, added about 800 employees as he tried to remake the broker into an investment bank. Recruits included Michael Stockman, UBS AG’s former chief risk officer for the Americas, Richard Moore, once Citigroup Inc. (C)’s head of European fixed-income, and Jon Bass, 49, also previously of UBS, where he was a member of the investment bank’s board. MF Global sought bankruptcy protection yesterday within a week of Moody’s Investors Service cutting the New York-based firm’s credit rankings, reporting a record quarterly loss and disclosing $6.3 billion of wagers on the sovereign debt of some of Europe’s most indebted nations. The firm was one of the few on Wall Street adding staff amid about 120,000 layoffs announced by banks globally this year, according to Bloomberg Industries.

MF Global Brokerage to Be Liquidated Under Trustee as Sought by SIPC Suit (Source: Bloomberg)
Bankrupt MF Global Holdings Ltd.’s broker-dealer will be liquidated under the supervision of the same trustee who is unwinding Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.’s brokerage, a federal judge ruled. James Giddens, the trustee liquidating Lehman’s brokerage after its parent filed the biggest bankruptcy in U.S. history, was appointed today after the Securities Investor Protection Corp. sued broker-dealer MF Global Inc., run by former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) co-chairman and former New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. SIPC said the broker-dealer might not be able to meet its obligations to customers who have accounts with the company. “The defendant has failed or is in danger of failing to meet its obligations to its customers,” SIPC, which oversees liquidations and compensates customers for part of their losses, said in court papers. “Specifically, the defendant is unable to meet its obligations as they mature.”
U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer appointed Giddens at SIPC’s request. When broker-dealers are liquidated, customer accounts often go to other firms. Barclays Plc took over accounts from Lehman’s brokerage.

Emerging-Market Stocks Fall, Paring October Rally; Russian Ruble Weakens (Source: Bloomberg)
Emerging-market stocks fell, paring the benchmark index’s biggest monthly gain since May 2009, as China’s premier vowed to maintain property curbs and investors speculated European leaders may struggle to end the debt crisis.   The MSCI Emerging Markets Index dropped for the first time in seven days, losing 1.5 percent to 995 at 4:34 p.m. in New York. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index fell 1.1 percent and Brazil’s Bovespa index tumbled 2 percent. Benchmark equity indexes in Russia and South Africa dropped more than 1.5 percent, while the ruble weakened 1.4 percent against the dollar as oil and metals prices declined.   China’s Premier Wen Jiabao said the government will “firmly” maintain restrictions on real estate. The world’s biggest holder of foreign-exchange reserves can’t play the role of “savior” for Europe after the region’s leaders agreed last week to boost their bailout fund, China’s official Xinhua news agency said yesterday.
The MSCI index has surged 13 percent this month, including a 9.8 percent jump last week, on speculation policy makers will take steps to maintain global growth.   “There is more uncertainty about the implementation of the EU rescue plan,” Benoit Anne, head of global emerging markets strategy at Societe Generale SA, said in a phone interview. “There’s been growing concern about the next phase and about the EU’s ability to follow up with the delivery of the plan.”

Stocks in U.S. Decline Amid Growing Concern About European Crisis Funding (Source: Bloomberg)
U.S. stocks slumped, giving the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index its biggest decline in almost a month, amid concern European leaders will struggle to raise funds to contain the region’s sovereign debt crisis. Stocks extended losses in the final hour of trading after Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said he will put the European Union’s new agreement on financing for Greece to a referendum. Morgan Stanley and Citigroup Inc. (C) dropped more than 7.5 percent, following the biggest weekly gain since July 2010 for financial shares in the S&P 500, as European banks retreated. Alcoa Inc. (AA) and Chevron Corp. (CVX) tumbled at least 4.1 percent to pace declines in commodity shares.
The S&P 500 dropped 2.5 percent to 1,253.30 as of 4 p.m. New York time, erasing its 2011 gain and capping the biggest decline since Oct. 3. The benchmark gauge for U.S. equities rose 11 percent in October, the best month since 1991, snapping a five-month retreat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 276.10 points, or 2.3 percent, to 11,955.01 today.

U.S. Raises Borrowing Estimates on Spending, Lower Revenue (Source: Bloomberg)
The U.S. Treasury Department raised its estimate for fourth-quarter government borrowing by $21 billion to $305 billion, reflecting in part lower revenue and higher spending. The estimates set the stage for the Treasury’s quarterly refunding announcement later this week. Officials on Nov. 2 will reveal their plans for sales of longer-term notes and bonds during the current quarter. “The increase in borrowing relates to lower receipts, higher outlays and changes in the cash balance assumptions partially offset by higher net issuances of state and local government series securities,” the Treasury said in a statement today in Washington, revising upward the fourth-quarter projection of about $285 billion made three months ago. U.S. Treasury officials also project borrowing of $541 billion from January through March of next year. That projection is the highest since the October-to-December 2008 period.

Consumer ’Scared to Death’ But Still Spending (Source: Bloomberg)
Americans’ urge to shop is overriding anxiety about the economy. While household-sentiment measures are at levels typically observed during a recession, an increase in spending during the third quarter boosted growth to the highest level of the year, Commerce Department figures showed Oct. 27. The schism partly reflects consumer ire with the government’s failure to reduce 9.1 percent unemployment or stem rising deficits, said James Paulsen, chief investment strategist at Minneapolis-based Wells Capital Management. “Emotionally based indicators are suspect,” Paulsen said. “There is a lot of anger out there. In a calmer time, these indicators might provide a better guide. Consumers are scared to death, but they are still spending.”
Consumption has tracked sentiment about 75 percent of the time in the past 25 years, Deutsche Bank estimated in an Oct. 25 report. Periods when the confidence measures proved unreliable include the aftermath of the 1990-91 and 2001 recessions, the bank’s report and Paulsen said. The most recent recession lasted 18 months and ended in June 2009.

Business Activity in U.S. Grows as Factories Accelerate Economic Recovery (Source: Bloomberg)
Business activity in the U.S. expanded in October at about the same pace as in the prior month, a sign overseas demand and business investment will help keep the economy expanding. The Institute for Supply Management-Chicago Inc. said today its business barometer decreased to 58.4 in October from 60.4 the prior month. A level of 50 is the dividing line between expansion and contraction. The group’s employment gauge climbed to a six-month high. Improving consumer spending is lifting sales at manufacturers like Chrysler Group LLC, combined with rising demand from emerging economies and the need to replace outdated equipment, means assembly lines will keep humming. Some Federal Reserve policy makers, ahead of their meeting this week, have said they are willing to take additional steps to spur growth.
“Manufacturing is still moving along quickly,” said Samuel Coffin, an economist at UBS Securities in Stamford, Connecticut. “It seems pretty broad-based, autos helped. We have growth perking along in the fourth quarter.”

Gross Says Additional Fed Easing Programs to Push Longer Yields Higher (Source: Bloomberg)
Bill Gross, manager of the world’s biggest bond fund at Pacific Investment Management Co., said the additional easing programs hinted at by Federal Reserve officials will push yields on longer-term Treasuries higher. “Sovereign monetary and fiscal policies, while generating undersized real growth, have managed to produce disproportionally large inflation,” Gross wrote in a monthly investment outlook posted on Newport Beach, California-based Pimco’s website today. “Developed economies -- the U.S. included -- have experienced 3 percent plus inflation in the midst of a New Normal economy. Portfolios should avoid longer dated issues where inflation premiums dominate performance.”
More quantitative easing suggested by Fed officials including Vice Chairman Janet Yellen is likely to push the central bank’s objective for inflation to above 2 percent, which will cause investors to demand higher yields on longer-term Treasuries, Gross wrote. Investors should buy “safe haven” maturities of under 10 years and in equity markets focus on dividend-producing stocks, Gross added.

China’s Property Stocks Decline as Wen Pledges to ‘Firmly’ Maintain Curbs (Source: Bloomberg)
China property stocks fell for the first time in six days in Shanghai trading after Premier Wen Jiabao doused speculation the government will ease curbs on the industry. The government will “firmly” maintain restrictions on real estate and local authorities should continue to strictly implement its policies, Wen said according to a statement following a State Council meeting. The Shanghai Composite Index’s property gauge dropped 0.1 percent at the close, after declining as much as 1.9 percent earlier. “It demonstrates to local governments and developers the central government’s determination to tighten the property market,” said Liu Li-Gang, a Hong Kong-based economist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. “With inflation still at a high level, it’s unlikely the government will take a big step to loosen its policy, but only a partial easing.”

Japan May Prepare Sustained Intervention (Source: Bloomberg)
Japan’s government signaled it is prepared for sustained intervention to ward off speculators from yen purchases after currency appreciation forced companies from Panasonic Corp. (6752) to Honda Motor Co. to lower earnings forecasts. Finance Minister Jun Azumi said in Tokyo he will “continue to intervene until I am satisfied,” after yen sales yesterday that Credit Suisse Group AG analysts estimated may have exceeded $50 billion. The intervention was the first since August, when Japan spent 4.51 trillion yen ($57 billion) seeking to stem the currency’s surge to a postwar high against the dollar.
The effort showed support by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for exporters seeing a loss in competitiveness after the yen rose 15 percent against the dollar and 21 percent versus the euro the past two years. With Nissan Motor Co. Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn warning last month about a hollowing out of industry, lack of action risked undermining Noda’s agenda, said Hideo Kumano, an economist at Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute.

Life Insurers Bet on Government Debt as Corporate Sales Flag: Japan Credit (Source: Bloomberg)
Japan’s life insurers are set to increase investments in government debt in the second half of the fiscal year that ends March 31, 2012, as corporate bond sales slump to the least in five years. The nation’s top nine life insurers will probably buy about 1 trillion yen ($13 billion) of yen-denominated, mostly public, notes in the six months through March, according to Nomura Securities Co. and Mizuho Securities Co. A decline in sales has shrunk the extra yield investors demand to own Japanese corporate bonds, excluding power companies and banks, rather than government securities by five basis points to 22 as of Oct. 28, from a post-earthquake high of 27 on May 11, Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch Japan Industrial Index shows.
Nippon Life Insurance Co., Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co., Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co. and Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. are accumulating government bonds, after they bought about 3.1 trillion yen worth in the first half, according to Mizuho and Nomura. Sovereign debt purchases may help the government keep borrowing costs low as Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda aims to revive the economy after three quarters of contraction and to rebuild after the March 11 temblor.

Yen Slides Most in Three Years After Japan Intervenes; Euro, Krone Weaken (Source: Bloomberg)
The yen slumped the most since 2008 against the dollar as Japan stepped in to foreign-exchange markets to weaken the currency for the third time this year after its gain to a postwar record threatened exporters. The dollar rose against all its major peers after MF Global Holdings Ltd. filed for bankruptcy after making bets on European sovereign debt, driving stocks down and boosting refuge demand. The yen fell against its 16 most-traded counterparts tracked by Bloomberg after Japan’s Finance Minister Jun Azumi ordered the intervention. The euro extended its drop after Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said he will put the region’s new agreement on financing for his nation to a referendum.
“The yen is no longer a safe-haven instrument to buy in times of risk aversion,” said Richard Franulovich, a senior currency strategist at Westpac Banking Corp. in New York. “When you do get risk aversion going forward, the dollar is the only true remaining currency that won’t be debauched by authorities. The reason to buy risk today is few and far between.”

Japan May Prepare Sustained Intervention (Source: Bloomberg)
Japan’s government signaled it is prepared for sustained intervention to ward off speculators from yen purchases after currency appreciation forced companies from Panasonic Corp. (6752) to Honda Motor Co. to lower earnings forecasts. Finance Minister Jun Azumi said in Tokyo he will “continue to intervene until I am satisfied,” after yen sales yesterday that Credit Suisse Group AG analysts estimated may have exceeded $50 billion. The intervention was the first since August, when Japan spent 4.51 trillion yen ($57 billion) seeking to stem the currency’s surge to a postwar high against the dollar.
The effort showed support by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for exporters seeing a loss in competitiveness after the yen rose 15 percent against the dollar and 21 percent versus the euro the past two years. With Nissan Motor Co. Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn warning last month about a hollowing out of industry, lack of action risked undermining Noda’s agenda, said Hideo Kumano, an economist at Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute.

Taiwan GDP Rises Least in Two Years (Source: Bloomberg)
Taiwan’s economy expanded at the slowest pace in two years last quarter as a faltering global recovery hurt exports, prompting the government to cut its growth outlook for this year and 2012. Gross domestic product climbed 3.37 percent in the three months through September from a year earlier, after rising 5.02 percent in the second quarter, the statistics bureau said in a preliminary estimate in Taipei yesterday. The median of 13 forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey was for a 3.56 percent gain. Europe’s debt crisis and elevated U.S. unemployment have sapped demand for Asian exports, contributing to an easing in economic growth in nations from China to South Korea. Taiwan’s central bank left interest rates unchanged in September, snapping a run of five straight quarterly increases, as emerging-market officials try to shield expansion.

European Stocks Drop, Paring Best Month Since ‘09; Vestas Slumps (Source: Bloomberg)
European stocks dropped, paring their biggest monthly gain since July 2009, as some investors remain reluctant to buy equities before the euro area’s leaders explain how they will fund their expanded bailout facility. Vestas Wind Systems A/S tumbled 24 percent as the biggest maker of wind turbines cut its forecasts for revenue and margins based on earnings before interest and taxes this year after delays in expanding production at its new plant in Germany. HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA) and Rio Tinto Group helped lead bank and commodity- company shares lower. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slid 2.2 percent to 243.48 at the close, paring its monthly gain to 7.7 percent, the largest advance in more than two years. The gauge slipped 0.2 percent on Oct. 28, having rallied 3.6 percent the previous day, after the euro area’s leaders said they will boost the European Financial Stability Facility’s capacity in a bid to stem the debt crisis. The benchmark jumped 4.2 percent last week, its fifth straight weekly gain.

Europe Seeking Crisis-Fighting Funds Faces Resistance Before Cannes G-20 (Source: Bloomberg)
European governments are running into initial resistance as they seek to use this week’s Group of 20 summit to turn early praise for their revamped crisis- fighting strategy into financial support. The G-20 leaders convene Nov. 3-4 in Cannes, France, a week after euro-area authorities pledged to magnify the capacity of their rescue fund to 1 trillion euros ($1.4 trillion) and look beyond their borders for help in doing so as they combat the debt turmoil posing the biggest threat to global growth. While the help of China and cooperation of the International Monetary Fund were immediately sought, pledges of hard cash are proving hard to come by as G-20 members press for more details of the plan. In an indication Europe may eventually prevail, Brazilian and Russian officials said their governments may be willing to provide assistance.
“Unless European leaders can flesh out some of these details very quickly, it’s hard to see the rest of the G-20 coming on board with very great enthusiasm,” said Eswar Prasad, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington and a former IMF economist.

World-Beating Gilts Boost Pound as Cameron Austerity Meets With King Ease (Source: Bloomberg)
The pound is turning into the must- have currency for investors seeking to get in on the world’s biggest government-bond rally. After weakening in the first half of the year, sterling has gained against all 16 major currencies tracked by Bloomberg except the yen. U.K. gilts have generated a return of 10.8 percent in 2011, the biggest among 26 sovereign-debt markets measured by Bloomberg/European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies indexes. The combination of Prime Minister David Cameron’s fiscal austerity and Bank of England Governor Mervyn King’s efforts to bolster the economy with record-low interest rates and bond purchases are attracting investors seeking a haven from Europe’s debt crisis and political gridlock in the U.S. Reserves invested in pounds rose 12 percent in the first half, compared with a 9.6 percent gain for the euro and a 3.5 percent increase in the dollar, the International Monetary Fund in Washington said.

Spain Economy Stalls in Third Quarter, Adding to Government’s Difficulties (Source: Bloomberg)
The Spanish economy stalled in the third quarter as unemployment surged, adding to the Socialist government’s difficulties three weeks before a general election. Gross domestic product stagnated from the previous quarter, when it grew 0.2 percent, the Bank of Spain in Madrid estimated today. From a year earlier, GDP rose 0.7 percent in the third quarter. Internal demand fell while exports and tourism bolstered the economy, the central bank said. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriquez Zapatero’s plan to cut Spain’s borrowing costs from euro-era records has crimped domestic demand while eroding the Socialists’ popularity as they reduced public wages and froze pensions. The opposition People’s Party, which is set to approve its electoral program today amid pledges of deeper austerity, may win its largest-ever majority on Nov. 20, polls show.

Draghi Takes ECB Helm in Battle Mode as Debt Crisis Torments Policy Makers (Source: Bloomberg)
Jean-Claude Trichet had almost four years to settle into the role of European Central Bank president before being thrown into crisis-fighting mode. Mario Draghi goes to battle on day one. Draghi, who succeeds Trichet tomorrow, becomes chief guardian of the euro with its 17-nation economy facing the risk of recession, a victim of the two-year-old sovereign debt crisis politicians are struggling to fix. As ECB president, he will be the second most powerful central banker in the world after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, and a key figure in the struggle to restore investor confidence in Europe’s monetary union. “This will be a baptism of fire for Draghi,” said Nick Kounis, head of macro research at ABN Amro Bank NV in Amsterdam. “It is challenging to be ECB president in any environment, let alone in the midst of a serious crisis.”

German Stocks Pare Biggest Monthly Gain in 2 1/2 Years; Banks Decline (Source: Bloomberg)
German stocks declined, paring the biggest monthly gain since April 2009, as investors waited for European leaders to detail how they will find the money to expand the region’s bailout fund. ThyssenKrupp AG (TKA), Germany’s largest steelmaker, fell 6.5 percent as UBS AG cut its recommendation on the shares. Deutsche Bank AG (DBK) and Commerzbank AG (CBK), Germany’s biggest lenders, slipped more than 8 percent. The benchmark DAX Index (DAX) declined 3.2 percent to 6,141.34 at the close in Frankfurt. The measure advanced for five consecutive weeks through Oct. 28 on growing speculation that European leaders will shore up banks’ balance sheets and insulate other euro economies from a possible Greek default. The DAX has risen 21 percent from this year’s low on Sept. 12. The gauge gained 12 percent in October. The broader HDAX Index retreated 3.1 percent today.

U.K. Stocks Tumble on European Bailout Concern; Banks Retreat (Source: Bloomberg)
U.K. stocks tumbled the most in five weeks, trimming the FTSE 100 Index (UKX)’s biggest monthly advance since 2009, as investors awaited details on how Europe will fund its expanded bailout facility. Xstrata Plc (XTA), BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) and Vedanta Resources Plc (VED) all sank more than 6 percent as copper fell on China’s plan to maintain property curbs. Banks and insurers pared last week’s rally as bond risk climbed and MF Global Holdings Ltd. filed for bankruptcy. Homeserve Plc (HSV) plunged 28 percent. The FTSE 100 retreated 158.02, or 2.8 percent, to 5,544.22 at the close in London as all but three stocks fell. The gauge has still gained 8.1 percent this month after euro-area policy makers expanded the bailout fund ahead of this week’s Group of 20 summit in France. The FTSE All-Share Index lost 2.7 percent today and Ireland’s ISEQ Index slipped 1.1 percent.
“Traders continue to rein in some of last week’s enthusiasm ahead of key economic meetings,” said Ben Critchley, a sales trader at IG Index. “After the positive knee-jerk reaction by markets, many now want to see further details.”

20111101 0959 Global Commodities Related News.

Commodities Fall for Second Day on European Bailout Concerns, Dollar Rally (Source: Bloomberg)
Commodities fell for the second straight session on concern that European leaders will struggle to contain the region’s debt crisis, eroding prospects for the global economy and raw-material demand. The Standard & Poor’s GSCI index of 24 energy, metal and agriculture prices fell 0.7 percent to 647.96 at 3:49 p.m. in New York. Coffee, silver and wheat led the decline. The dollar jumped the most since 2008 against a basket of major currencies, eroding the appeal of commodities and the outlook for U.S. exports. The MSCI All-Country World Index of equities fell 2.8 percent, the most in five weeks. European leaders last week pledged to increase the region’s rescue fund to 1 trillion euros ($1.4 trillion). Officials will meet early next month to seek financial support for the accord. The lack of details in the European plan disappointed investors, said Matthew Zeman, a strategist at Kingsview Financial in Chicago.

Hedge Funds’ Bullish Bets Driving Biggest Rally in 10 Months: Commodities (Source: Bloomberg)
Speculators boosted wagers on higher commodity prices by the most since August as improving prospects for growth in the U.S. and Europe sent prices toward their biggest rally in 10 months. Money managers boosted combined net-long positions across 18 U.S. futures and options by 13 percent to 831,421 contracts in the week ended Oct. 25, Commodity Futures Trading Commission data show. The Standard & Poor’s GSCI Index of 24 raw materials jumped 9.6 percent in October, capping the biggest gain since December. European leaders announced a bailout plan Oct. 27 to help relieve the region’s debt crisis, and the U.S. economy grew by a more-than-expected 2.5 percent in the third quarter. In October, the S&P 500 Index rose 11 percent, the most since 1991. The outlook for demand has recovered since September, when the GSCI fell 12 percent, the most since November 2008, amid concern the global economy was set for another recession.

Corn (Source: CME)
US corn futures end lower on outside market pressures and lackluster demand. A stronger dollar, fueled by Japan's currency intervention, along with renewed worries about Europe's debt crisis, weighed on prices. Another impact was the bankruptcy filing for MF, as the CME would only allow the brokerage's customers to liquidate positions. Meanwhile, export demand has remained weak. Despite all that, the market remains range-bound, and traders say next week's USDA report is likely to cut the size of the projected crop. CBOT December corn finished down 1.2% at $6.47/bushel.

Wheat (Source: CME)
U.S. wheat futures end lower on outside market pressure and liquidation as MF Global customers are forced to the sidelines. A stronger dollar, fueled by Japan's currency intervention, weighed on commodities generally, as did slumping equities, which fell on renewed worries about Europe's debt crisis. Meanwhile, CME forbid customers of troubled MF Global from doing any trades except liquidating, adding to the pressure. Demand for US wheat remains weak thanks to Black Sea competition. Worries about the winter wheat crop limits losses. CBOT Dec. wheat ends down 16 1/4c, or 2.5%, to $6.28 1/4. Dec. KCBT wheat ends down 13c to $7.25 and MGEX Dec. wheat ends down 11 3/4c to 9.08 3/4.

Rice (Source: CME)
US rice futures close lower as strength in the dollar placed broad pressure on grain markets. Rice fell with corn, soybeans and wheat. Further price pressure was derived from end of month profit taking by traders, following sharp gains last week fueled by increasing concerns about floods hurting output in Thailand, the world's top rice exporter. CBOT Nov rice end down 10 cents to $16.64 per hundredweight.

Corn, Soybeans Drop as Dollar Gain Erodes Prospects for U.S. Crop Exports  (Source: Bloomberg)
Corn fell for the first time in three sessions and soybeans dropped to the lowest price in almost three weeks as a rally in the dollar eroded prospects for U.S. exports and reduced the investment appeal of commodities. The dollar advanced against all its major peers after MF Global Holdings Ltd. was suspended from conducting new business with the New York Federal Reserve and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange limited the firm’s customer trading to liquidation only. The Standard & Poor’s GSCI Index of 24 commodities fell as much as 1.7 percent amid concern European leaders will struggle to contain the region’s debt crisis. “Concern about erosion of demand is weighing on the markets,” Greg Grow, the director of agribusiness at Archer Financial Services Inc. in Chicago, said in a telephone interview. “The uncertainty about European debt and the MF Global situation boosted the dollar and shifted the flow of money away from riskier assets.”

Corn Drops as Improved Ukrainian Yields, Production Boost Global Supplies (Source: Bloomberg)
Corn dropped in Chicago as bigger crops in Ukraine and the European Union are intensifying competition for U.S. grain in export markets. Wheat and soybeans also declined. December-delivery corn fell as much as 1.9 percent to $6.425 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade and was at $6.4875 at 1:02 p.m. Paris time. The grain added 9.5 percent this month, recovering some of September’s 23-percent plunge. Ukraine had harvested 68 percent of its planted corn last week, reaping 14.1 million metric tons, more than all of last year’s harvest, the Agriculture Ministry reported. The EU, normally a net importer of corn, is exporting the grain at the fastest pace in at least seven years. Prices “could be under pressure due to lack of export demand” for U.S. corn, Lynette Tan, an analyst at Phillip Futures Pte., said from Singapore.

Grains, Soybean Futures May Fall as Dollar’s Rally Erodes Export Prospects  (Source: Bloomberg)
What follows are opening calls for U.S. grain and oilseed markets.
-- Corn futures are called to open 6 cents to 8 cents a bushel lower on the Chicago Board of Trade as the dollar jumped against major currencies, eroding prospects for U.S. exports and reducing the investment appeal of commodities, Greg Grow, the director of agribusiness at Archer Financial Services Inc. in Chicago, said in a telephone interview.
-- Wheat futures may open 6 cents to 8 cents a bushel lower on the CBOT, the Kansas City Board of Trade and the Minneapolis Grain Exchange on speculation that increasing global supplies and the dollar’s rally will reduce demand for U.S. grain, Grow said.
-- Soybean futures may open 9 cents to 11 cents a bushel lower in Chicago as crop prospects improve in South America, Grow said. Soybean-oil futures are expected to open 0.6 cent to 0.7 cent a pound lower, and soybean-meal futures may open down $2 to $3 lower per 2,000 pounds.

US grains, soybeans fall on dollar spike
SYDNEY, Oct 31 (Reuters) - U.S. corn and soybean futures posted losses in Asian trade as the dollar spiked higher against the yen ahead of a flurry of economic events this week which will determine risk appetite.
"By and large we're priced fairly as far as fundamentals are concerned," said Brett Cooper, a senior markets manager at INTL FCStone Australasia.

Philippine feed millers seeking 100,000T corn imports
MANILA, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Philippine feed millers are seeking government approval for imports of 100,000 tonnes of yellow corn between January and  March to support the requirements of the livestock industry after typhoons damaged local crops, official documents showed.  
The Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc (PAFMI) said in an Oct. 26 letter to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, a copy of which was obtained by reporters, that two strong typhoons in late September and early October had damaged the quality of corn crops, pushing up local prices.

US south-west plains wheat belt faces dry week
SYDNEY, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. south-west plains wheat belt is likely to miss out on further rain this week but the eastern and northern plains could be wet due to a changing weather pattern, a forecaster said on Monday.
"This pattern does not, as yet, look to bring needed rains to the south-west wheat areas of the plains but it could bring rain or snow to the east and north part of the wheat belt," said Joel Burgio, a meteorologist with Telvent DTN.  

Argentine 2011/12 corn sowing advances swiftly-gov't
BUENOS AIRES, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Argentine farmers made swift progress to plant 2011/12 corn thanks to moist soils, though cold weather caused delays in some areas, the Agriculture Ministry said on Friday.
Argentina is the world's No. 2 corn exporter but dryness has delayed seeding of the crop. Heavy rains this month provided moisture to soils and helped speed plantings, but farmers are still behind last season's pace.

Ohio wheat acres could drop to record low this year
CHICAGO, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Wheat plantings could fall to a record low this year in Ohio despite a record-high insurance price guarantee, as incessant rains stalled wheat seedings in the top growing state of the soft red winter variety.
Wheat acres left fallow this winter are likely to be planted with corn in the spring, crop experts said, as corn futures remain at a historically high premium over wheat.

Drought affects 39 pct of Ukraine '12 winter grains
KIEV, Oct 28 (Reuters) - The share of sprouted Ukrainian winter grain crops which were in poor state jumped to 39 percent as of October 27 from 29 percent as of October 24, the Agriculture Ministry said on Friday, quoting data from regions.
The ministry said in a statement that farms had sown 7.7 million hectares of winter grains for the 2012 harvest and 4.5 million had sprouted so far. The ministry added that 3.1 million hectares of the sprouted crops were in good or satisfactory condition while 1.4 million hectares were in poor state.

Ukraine to build new grain terminal in Odessa
KIEV, Oct 28 (Reuters) - The city council of Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odessa has agreed to build a new grain export terminal facility with a capacity of 2 million tonnes per year, the council said on Friday.
The terminal and port silos with a storage capacity of 680,000 tonnes, should be built by 2016, the council said.

Big EU maize crop mostly cut, offers export window
PARIS, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Maize harvesting in the European Union's major producing countries is mostly complete, confirming expectations of a big crop that should allow higher EU exports this season.
Maize has been boosted by favourable growing conditions this year as well as an increased planted area in several countries, even if summer heat in parts of the eastern part of the EU is thought to have limited yields there.

Ukraine exports 4.4 mln t grain so far 2011/12 season
KIEV, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Ukraine has exported 4.4 million tonnes of grain so far during  the 2011/12 season, a senior agriculture ministry official was quoted as saying on Friday.
Interfax Ukraine news agency quoted deputy Farm Minister Oleksander Demidov as saying the volume had included 1.699 million tonnes of wheat, 1.822 million of barley and 847,400 tonnes of maize as of October 27.

Rains in Plains benefit emerging U.S. winter wheat
CHICAGO, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Rainfall and snow this week benefited the emerging hard red winter wheat crop in the U.S. Plains but more rain is needed to ensure a bountiful harvest, an agricultural meteorologist said on Friday.
"Showers the past two days did bring west Texas needed moisture. Germination and establishment concerns are now limited to 15 percent or less of the belt," said Joel Widenor, meteorologist for Commodity Weather Group.

Floods may damage quarter of Thai rice crop, exports hit
BANGKOK, Oct 28 (Reuters) - - Thailand may lose a quarter of its main rice crop in the nation's worst flooding in decades, the government estimates, which could boost prices of the staple and further squeeze shipments from the world's top exporter.
The flood damage to rice comes at a time when Thailand, which accounts for about 30 percent of global trade, has in place an intervention scheme that is likely to push prices even higher, encouraging buyers to seek alternative origins.

Indonesia says Thailand may not meet rice supply contracts
JAKARTA, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Flood-hit Thailand may not be able to meet its rice export commitments to Indonesia, the Indonesian trade minister said on Friday, forcing Southeast Asia's largest economy to look to other possible exporters.
Flooding in Thailand, the world's biggest rice exporter, all but paralysed the rice trade this week and delays to shipments are likely to continue, giving would-be buyers even more incentive to turn to India, which has returned to the export market and offers far lower prices.

Argentina Truckers Shut Grain Ports, Demanding Higher Fees  (Source: CME)
The delivery of grain to Argentina's leading ports ground to a halt as a trucker's union threw up roadblocks and pickets to push for a steep increase in transportation fees. The strike falls during a relatively slow period in grain exports, as the first of the 2011-12 wheat harvest won't start coming in from the fields until December. Argentina is the world's leading exporter of soymeal and oil, ranks second in corn, third in soybeans and is a leading shipper of wheat. "You can't unload anything nor move merchandise between crushing plants," said an executive at one of the leading grain exporters who asked not to be named. The leaders of Argentine trucking union, Fetra, are slated to hold talks with federal government officials, led by Planning Minister Julio De Vido, at 3 p.m. local time, Fetra attorney Valeria Pardo told Dow Jones Newswires. However, a resolution to the conflict is unlikely today, as the union isn't going to back down and lift the strike unless it gets concrete concessions, Pardo said.
The truckers won't be satisfied with a commitment to government-supervised negotiations, she said. "They've promised us that many times before and nothing happened." Fetra is demanding an increase of about 30% in trucking fees, which would bring the minimum charge to about 27.50 pesos ($6.55) per metric ton for short-haul grain transportation. The union is also demanding better working conditions such as bathrooms and security for truckers who often have to wait days in long lines to unload their grain at the height of the harvest season. The union launched its strike in Buenos Aires Province last week, but extended the blockades to the key river ports near Rosario in Santa Fe Province early. About three-quarters of Argentina's agriculture exports are shipped from ports on the Parana River near the cities of Rosario and San Lorenzo.
The area is home to ports that service most of the leading international grain brokers, including Louis Dreyfus SA, Noble Argentina SA, the local units of Bunge Ltd. (BG) and Cargill Inc., Nidera SA and Vicentin SA. It wasn't clear if all the ports have been affected, said the general manager of the San Lorenzo chamber of commerce, Gabriel Albo. Port disruptions have been common in recent years as unions demand double-digit wage hikes amid inflation that most private sector economists say is running above 20% a year.

Rain Slows Early Western Australian Wheat Harvest -CBH  (Source: CME)
The early stage of a harvest of winter grains--including wheat--in Western Australia is suffering conditions similar to the devastating conditions that severely harmed grain quality in the eastern states a year ago, a key grain logistics manager said. "We're heading into a very similar pattern" to what happened in the east coast last year, Colin Tutt, general manager logistics at Cooperative Bulk Handling Ltd., said. CBH operates a near monopoly on grain storage and export in Western Australia. Heavy rainfall and flooding led to major downgrading of grain quality in the east coast during the last harvest. However, while wet weather is causing problems for ripe crops in the north, about 70% of the state's winter crops may still benefit from the rainfall, he said. CBH estimates the harvest's grain intake around 13 million metric tons, of which 70% is usually wheat, or 9.1 million tons.
As deliveries to CBH account for about 90% of total state grain production, total wheat output may approach 10 million tons, second only to 11.1 million tons produced in 2003-04 and more than twice last year's drought-reduced wheat output of 4.7 million tons. Nearly all the wheat produced in the state is available for export. The harvest in Western Australia has been delayed in the past week, with rainfall of up to 120 millimeters on some ripe crops and general falls throughout the wheatbelt in a 30-40 mm range, with more falls of 20-30 mm forecast Thursday and Friday, Tutt said. The rainfall has already slowed harvest and delivery to CBH's upcountry storages. CBH has received about 1% of expected deliveries, well below expectations, with discolored barley grains, reduced wheat protein levels and some sprouting of grains already surfacing, he said. Wheat protein levels could be a full percentage point lower than the 11%-plus the northern wheatbelt usually produces, he said.
While quality is down, "yields are outstanding," he said. One of Tutt's major challenges is to ensure plentiful supplies of grain at CBH's four coast export terminals. "We've got a big shipping program with 2.7 million tons during harvest to fill, so we need to get it going," he said. "It's just a matter of how much we can get in [to storage] before the next rain comes."

Thai Floods May Spare Most of Bangkok as Efforts to Divert Water Suceed (Source: Bloomberg)
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said most of Bangkok will be spared from floods that have swamped some outer suburbs as efforts to drain water to the east and west of the capital are succeeding. “If everything goes as planned, there will be more relief,” Yingluck told reporters in Bangkok today. She said it was too early to say whether the flood threat had eased because some water gates in the capital’s canals need to be repaired to stem the flow of floodwaters into some districts. Authorities are diverting water to spare the capital from floods that have spread over 63 of Thailand’s 77 provinces since late July, killed at least 381 people and swamped factories and farms. Efforts to save Bangkok by building temporary dikes around the inner city have exacerbated flooding in outlying districts, sparking clashes between residents and city officials.

Thai Exporters Declare Force Majeure On Rice Shipments (Source: CME)
Thai exporters have declared force majeure on shipments of several thousand tons of rice following disruptions caused by heavy flooding, trading executives said. Rice is a major foreign exchange earner for Thailand, the world's largest exporter, with shipments worth more than $500 million on average made each month. But tighter supply and logistical bottlenecks are forcing traditional buyers of Thai rice to look for other suppliers. "There are logistical constraints in moving rice to ports and loading cargoes," a Bangkok-based executive with a global commodities trading company said. Buyers aren't pressing for shipments and are accepting force majeure as they are aware of the situation, he said, adding cheaper rice is available from other exporters such as India and Pakistan. Shipments haven't stopped, but only the grain currently in port warehouses is being loaded, said Chookiat Ophaswongse, former president of Thai Rice Exporters' Association.
He said more shipments are being postponed than cancelled at this point. Thai exporters said they are more keen on deferring shipments but some buyers want to cancel the orders so they can buy cheaper rice from the Indian subcontinent. Rice supplied by India and Pakistan is cheaper by at least $150/ton. Traders expect November rice shipments from Thailand to be less than 500,000 tons, compared with around 700,000 tons-750,000 tons in October. Monthly exports were 1.0 million tons or higher until August. Daily loading of rice at Bangkok port has slumped to 20,000 tons from the usual 25,000-30,000 tons, said Chookiat. Exporters are delaying shipments by 60 days to 90 days, said Christophe Cousin, managing director of Prasert & Sons, a Thailand-based rice brokerage. Rice millers in Pathum Thani and Nakhon Sawan provinces who are hit by flooding are unable to supply the grain to exporters, he said.
The International Grains Council Friday revised down the 2012 production forecast for Thailand by 1.5 million metric tons, or 7.2% to 19.2 million tons. Thailand's rice exports will likely fall 24% to 8.0 million tons, IGC said. Some exporters put the estimate even lower at 7.0 million tons.

Thai cane crop in focus; coffee watches weather
SINGAPORE, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Thailand will offer more than 90,000 tonnes of sugar in a tender this week as the market assesses the impact of the country's worst floods in decades on the cane crop, while premiums could slip on weak demand, dealers said.   "The market certainly cares (about) what's happening in Thailand. Estimates of the extent of the likely damage as result of the floods vary widely," said Luke Mathews, commodities strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Thai PM says Bangkok may dodge flood disaster
BANGKOK, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Receding floodwaters north of Bangkok have reduced the threat to the Thai capital, the prime minister said on Saturday, but high tides in the Gulf of Thailand will still test the city's flood defences.
"If things go on like this, we expect floodwater in Bangkok to recede within the first week of November," Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on national television

India ministries agree 2011/12 sugar output at 24.7-25 mln T
NEW DELHI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - India's sugar output will be 24.7-25 million tonnes in 2011/12, Food Minister K.V. Thomas said on Monday, a figure agreed with the farm ministry which had previously forecast 26 million tonnes.
That will still be above demand of 22-23 million tonnes and is slightly above Thomas' estimate in September of 24.6 million tonnes. --

West Has Moral Obligation To Reduce Food Waste -UK Minister (Source: CME)
The West has a moral obligation to reduce food waste, at a time when the issue of global food security rises to the top of world political agendas, Jim Paice, the U.K.'s minister of state for Agriculture and Food told a conference in London. The French President Nicolas Sarkozy has put improving food security at the top of his agenda during his leadership of the Group of 20 largest economies. World food prices surged to a record high in February, according to the United Nations, and the rising cost of staple foodstuffs was blamed for sparking the Arab spring. "The Western world must help poor countries to invest in technology to avoid post-harvest losses in order to reduce food waste," Paice said. "The West must also adhere to reduce waste, which will help to limit food price volatility." High and volatile food prices can be avoided through the removal of food commodity export bans, Paice said. "Trade stocks in one area of the globe can compensate for a lack of them in another part," he added.
Analysts cite a Russian export ban as causing a price spike in grain prices earlier this year. The Russian government imposed the ban on grain exports on Aug. 15 last year after severe drought reduced the harvest and the restriction continued until June 30 this year. "Liberalized and efficient markets will help to cap food spikes that have been witnessed this year," the minister of state added. Transparency in world food markets is also vital to limiting price upside in commodity markets, Paice said. "There is a need to get the right data to market participants in food markets," said Paice. "That way, farmers can react to world prices." Agriculture ministers of the G20 industrialized and emerging nations, agreed this year to create a global database to compile information on food production, consumption and stocks aimed at improving transparency in agriculture markets and damping production shocks.

Russia unlikely to emerge as major sugar exporter
MOSCOW/LONDON, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Russia is moving toward self-sufficiency in sugar but a number of obstacles will prevent its emergence as a major exporter.
Russia, which was the world's top raw sugar importer in the early 2000s when it used to buy around 4 million tonnes a year, has slid down the rankings as an importer as strong prices encouraged domestic investment. The country looks set to produce just short of its consumption requirements in 2011/12.

Asia LNG prices to continue rising-Shell CEO Voser
SINGAPORE, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Oil major Royal Dutch Shell Plc  expects prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Asia to continue rising and refining margins to stay under pressure in 2012, its chief executive said on Monday.
"LNG prices are rising and we see this continuing," Peter Voser told Reuters on the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW).

PetroChina to supply 25 pct more gas in winter-spring -paper
BEIJING, Oct 31 (Reuters) - PetroChina Co Ltd  , the dominant natural gas supplier in China, will supply 25 percent more of the fuel in the coming winter-spring season than a year earlier, China Petroleum Daily reported on Monday.
The report in the newspaper run by PetroChina parent China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) did not provide a volume.

China 2011 crude runs seen up 8.5 pct y/y -federation
BEIJING, Oct 31 (Reuters) - China's crude oil throughput will increase 8.5 percent from a year earlier to about 460 million tonnes this year, or about 9.2 million barrels per day, China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation said on Monday.
If the throughput matches the forecast, it suggests refiners in the world's second-largest oil consuming country would accelerate crude runs significantly in the fourth quarter based on earlier government data.

Libya's oil exports to jump to 350,000 bpd in Nov-sources
TRIPOLI, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Libya's crude oil exports will jump to almost 350,000 barrels per day in November, more than double the volume sold the previous month, sources at the National Oil Company (NOC) told Reuters in an interview on Sunday.
The NOC plans to sell a total of up to 14 cargoes of oil from several fields, primarily in the east and at offshore sites which escaped the worst of the damage inflicted by the war and located in areas that were liberated soon after the uprising.

Singapore may expand LNG terminal for spot trading
SINGAPORE, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Singapore is prepared to expand the capacity of its upcoming liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal for spot trading as power utilities seek to boost output by using the fuel to meet local demand, said S Iswaran, Second Minister for Trade and Industry.
Britain's BG Group  has filled orders for almost 90 percent of its exclusive 3 million tonnes per year franchise to import LNG through the terminal, just over two years into its 20-year deal, Iswaran said.

US coal consumption up 4 pct last week - Genscape
Oct 28 (Reuters) - U.S. coal consumption rose 4 percent last week but was down 12 percent from the same week a year ago, according to power industry data monitor Genscape.
Coal use swings up and down seasonally, and varies from week to week and region to region, depending on electricity demand to run air conditioners or power heaters.

Euro Coal-prices rise despite weaker oil
LONDON, Oct 28 (Reuters) - European prompt physical coal prices rose slightly on Friday, shrugging off falls in oil and coal swaps.
Physical demand remained thin, because some players with long positions lack the capacity to burn coal and many utilities are burning down their stockpiles before ordering new deliveries.

Crude Oil Surges to Biggest Monthly Increase in More Than Two Years (Source: Bloomberg)
Oil surged in October to the biggest monthly gain in more than two years on speculation that a recovering economy will boost energy demand and reduce supplies. Futures advanced as government reports showed the U.S. economy grew at the fastest pace in a year in the third quarter and oil inventories reached a 20-month low in the week ended Oct. 14. Crude slipped today after Japan stepped in to foreign- exchange markets to weaken the yen against the dollar. “The supply and demand fundamentals look quite supportive as inventories in industrialized nations have come down a decent amount,” said Katherine Spector, a commodities strategist with CIBC World Markets Corp. in New York. “You only need demand to grow incrementally to tighten the balance.” Crude oil for December delivery declined 13 cents to settle at $93.19 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures rose 18 percent this month, the biggest gain since May 2009.

China Holds Talks With Vale, Miners on Iron Ore Pricing Model After Plunge (Source: Bloomberg)
China, the world’s biggest iron ore buyer, said it’s held talks with Vale SA (VALE3), Rio Tinto Group and BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) to set up a new pricing mechanism after a plunge in cash market prices. “We hope to build a new stable, transparent, fair and reasonable pricing mechanism,” Zhang Changfu, vice chairman and secretary general of the China Iron and Steel Association, told reporters today in Beijing. “We wish to make it more well- organized and healthy.” Iron ore prices for immediate delivery fell 32 percent this month on China’s credit tightening and slowing steel demand from builders and automakers. Most Chinese customers are seeking to replace quarterly contracts with spot pricing, the largest ore producer, Vale, said last week.

China steel assn says iron ore prices likely to drop further
BEIJING, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) said the price of iron ore was likely to decline further in the coming weeks, with steel mills still unwilling to buy and stockpiles of expensive ores remaining stubbornly high.
Zhang Changfu, CISA's vice-chairman, told a news briefing on Monday that stockpiles at eight major ports had risen to 98 million tonnes, with much of it bought at prices of around $165 per tonne.

Iron ore slump to boost shorter contracts, risks
SINGAPORE, Oct 31 (Reuters) - A slide in iron ore prices has driven miners to alter costly quarterly contracts to please Chinese clients, but spot pricing, which magnifies the impact of price swings, is still distant.
Iron ore's slump of 34 percent since early September revealed the flaws of a system that prices contracts based on the previous quarter's spot rates with a one-month lag, and opened the door for a more flexible mechanism for top consumer China while it grapples with weakening steel demand.

Global iron ore prices reaching turning point - Baosteel
SHANGHAI, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The recent slump in global iron ore price signals the market may be reaching a turning point, China's top listed steel mill Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd (Baosteel) , said on Monday, adding that the price correction will allow a healthy expansion for steel producers and miners.
Baosteel, which reported a 51-percent slump in third-quarter net profit on Friday, also said it was in negotiations with top iron ore producer Vale SA  to review prices for fourth-quarter supplies.

Iron Ore-Further price declines expected amid demand slump
BEIJING, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The iron ore market remained weak on Monday with long-suffering Chinese traders unwilling to risk any more purchases amid fears that prices will plummet further following a record decline last week.  
"Plummet is an understatement -- no one can see the bottom and they all just want out," said a commodities broker based in Hong Kong.

CSN sees iron ore, steel sales growing next year
SAO PAULO, Oct 28 (Reuters) - CSN , Brazil's most profitable steelmaker, expects to sell more iron ore and steel next year, executives said on Friday, in a sign that they are less concerned than investors about the risk of global recession and a rout in prices for the metal.
Even as the outlook remains challenging, the company could sell around 33 million tonnes of iron ore next year, about 6.4 percent more than its 31 million tonne target for 2010, Daniel Santos, who heads the mining division at the Sao Paulo-based steelmaking group, said in a conference call.

Baltic index at 3-week low, cargo slowdown weighs
LONDON, Oct 28 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates to ship dry commodities, fell for a third day on Friday as sluggish demand for iron ore cargoes continued to weigh on sentiment.      
The overall index fell 73 points or 3.49 percent to 2,018 points and was at its lowest in three weeks.  

20111101 0958 Soy Oil & Palm Oil Related News.

Soybeans (Source: CME)
US soybean futures end lower amid broad commodity selling as traders reacted to a plethora of bearish influences. A stronger US dollar, weak export demand, uncertainty about the fallout of MF's bankruptcy and ongoing concerns about Europe's debt crisis kept buyers cautious. However, the lack of market-specific news and limited farmer selling produced a choppy trend, with prices settling well off early lows. CBOT January soy ends down 8 3/4c at $12.17 1/4 a bushel; the session low was $12.03 1/2.

Soybean Meal/Oil (Source: CME)
Soy product futures end lower in unison with soybean futures. Prices were driven lower by broad investor selling across asset classes in the absence of market specific news to buoy prices, analysts say. CBOT Dec soymeal ended down $1.40 at $316.10/short ton, and Dec soyoil was ended down 0.60c at 51.17 cents/pound.

Palm oil drops on global economy concerns
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures dropped as investors booked profits after a cargo surveyor reported strong export data for October and the market remained cautious over the state of the global economy.
"Palm oil investors are taking profits on external developments and there appears to be a technical resistance to hitting above the 3,000 ringgit level," said a trader with a foreign commodities brokerage.