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DJI-NEW YORK, June 4 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Thursday as a brokerage's upbeat view on U.S. banks drove a run-up in financials, while soaring prices of oil and other commodities lifted natural resource companies on bets the economic slump is waning.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 74.96 points, or 0.86 percent, to 8,750.24. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> climbed 10.70 points, or 1.15 percent, to 942.46. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 24.10 points, or 1.32 percent, to 1,850.02.

While Thursday's economic reports generally supported expectations that the economy is starting to improve, disappointing May sales reported by major retailers showed that consumers are still holding onto their wallets.

Government data showed U.S. non-farm productivity rose by 1.6 percent in the first quarter, much stronger than initially estimated.

Investors are cautious about what Friday's report on U.S. employment might reveal as they look for more definitive signs that the recession that begun in December 2007 is easing. Since hitting a 12-year low on March 9, the S&P 500 has risen nearly 40 percent.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, June 4 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures ended more than 4 percent higher on Thursday, rallying on news that the number of U.S. workers filing new jobless benefit claims fell for the third straight week, which reinforced hopes that the recession was easing.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, July crude settled up $2.69, or 4.07 percent, at $68.81 barrel, the highest settlement since $70.53 on Nov. 4. It traded from $65.92 to $69.60, the highest front-month price since $70.46 was reached on Nov. 5.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - July up 48 cents per bushel at $12.30. Support from higher crude oil and tight soybean stocks. Soy attempting to consolidate and rebound after the sharp decline of futures on Wednesday.

CBOT-SOYOIL - July up 1.09 cents per lb at 40.34. Firm crude oil supportive in addition to gains in soybeans.

FCPO-JAKARTA, June 4 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures ended little changed on Thursday as a rebound in crude oil prices provided support amid expectations for higher stocks, traders said.

The benchmark August contract on the Bursa Malaysia's Derivatives Exchange closed down 6 ringgit at 2,569 ringgit ($736.10) per tonne. Overall volume was 7,837 lots of 25 tonnes each.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, June 4 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian indices rose
on Thursday, tracking a late rebound in Hong Kong shares and U.S. futures.

Thailand's main index reached its highest level since October as government stimulus plans fuelled more buying of banking and building firms such as Bank of Ayudhya and Siam Cement.

Hong Kong shares <.HSI> and U.S. stock index futures rose as markets awaited rate-setting meetings at the European Central Bank and the Bank of England.

Thailand's stock index <.SETI> climbed 2 percent to its highest level since October 3, after Wednesday's 1.4 percent rise.

Malaysia <.KLSE> gained 0.8 percent, Indonesia <.JKSE> rose 1.1 percent and the Philippines <.PSI> advanced 0.9 percent. Vietnam <.VNI> extended its gains for a fourth day, adding 3 percent, to its highest level since October 2.