26/05/2013 (The Star) - The following factors are likely to influence Malaysian palm oil futures and other vegetable oil markets on Monday.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Malaysian palm oil futures rose to their highest in more than a month on Friday on growers' estimates showing output fell in August, raising hopes that stocks in the world's No.2 producer will tighten.
* Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) soybean futures leaped 3 percent to a fresh two-month high on Friday on forecasts for hot and dry weather in the U.S. crop belt, which threatened to trim soy yields.
* A rise in gasoline futures helped oil prices pull higher on Friday following news of a unit shutdown at a Canadian East Coast refinery.

MARKET NEWS
* Benchmark stock indexes around the world edged higher on Friday, while the dollar fell after a U.S. government report on new single-family home sales raised doubts about the timing and extent of cuts to the Federal Reserve's stimulus program.
* A weak dollar and prospects for stronger demand pushed U.S. grains, precious metals and oil prices up sharply on Friday, but a broad commodities gauge finished the week down after losses in earlier sessions.

RELATED NEWS
> Hot spell boosts US soy to 2-month high; corn also rises
> U.S. domestic raw sugar futures hit highest since April
> Arabica coffee near 4-year low, cocoa steady
> Russia to boost 2013/14 wheat export by 36 pct
> Speculators lift bullish cocoa stance to 5-1/2-yr high -CFTC
> Maple Leaf, Darling shares jump on deal for biodiesel business

DATA/EVENTS
> Cargo surveyors Intertek Testing Services and Societe Generale de Surveillance to release Aug. 1-25 exports data on Monday. - Reuters