Palm | Kelapa Sawit

DJI-NEW YORK, Feb 23 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks suffered their biggest one-day decline in nearly three weeks on Tuesday after a sharp drop in consumer confidence heightened worries over one of the most vulnerable areas of the economy.

Consumer confidence in February slumped to a 10-month low as the short-term outlook on jobs worsened. Results from retailers added little hope, as bellwethers like Target Corp forecast a tepid performance in the first quarter.

NYMEX-NEW YORK, Feb 23 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures fell on Tuesday as weak consumer confidence data added to pressure provided by the dollar's strength on concerns about the euro zone economy. Crude's slip comes after five straight higher closes.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10:27 a.m. EST (1527 GMT), April crude was down $1.73, or 2.15 percent, at $78.58 a barrel, trading from $78.22 to $80.39.

CBOT-CHICAGO, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Wheat and corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were lower early Tuesday in a profit-taking setback after Monday's rally, while soybeans were mixed, with front months supported by firm cash markets, traders said. A firmer dollar and declines in crude oil futures hung over the grain markets.

CBOT-SOYBEANS - March up 1 cent at $9.62-1/2 per bushel; new-crop November down 3-3/4 cents at $9.32.

CBOT-SOYOIL - March down 0.33 cent at 38.50 cents a lb.

FCPO-JAKARTA, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Malaysia's palm oil futures edged up on Tuesday, giving up much of the day's earlier gains as investors locked in profit in late trade, traders said. Recent rise has been underpinned by expectations of a decline in production this month, which may offset weaker exports and reduce inventories in the world's number two producer.

Output prospects are also clouded by hotter-than-usual weather, due to the resurgent El Nino weather condition. [ID:nSGE61L09F] But the rally, which touched a six-and-a-half-week high, was halted by concerns that the market is probably overbought.

REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Most major Southeast Asian stock markets gained on Tuesday as the region looked ahead to a testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for clues on interest rates.

Singapore <.FTSTI> was up 0.9 percent, Indonesia <.JKSE> rose 0.76 percent, at one point touching its highest since Feb 5, and Thailand <.SETI> rose 1.4 percent to its highest since Jan. 21.

Malaysia <.KLSE> ended unchanged, giving up an early gain to its highest since Feb. 2.