December 27, 2002	Friday	Shawwal 22, 1423

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26: Malaysian palm oil futures ended up after data from the market’s cargo surveyors showed shipments for the first 25 days of December were as strong as those in the same period of last month.

At the close, the benchmark third-month March futures was up 10 ringgit at 1,680 ringgit ($442.11) a ton.

Volume was just above 1,800 lots — compared to the 4,000-odd lots seen on Monday.

Physical crude palm oil were also quoted higher although no trade was reported.

The CPO contract for January was offered by sellers at 1,705 ringgit a ton — up five ringgit from Tuesday — against bids at 1,700 in the south. In the central region, the contract was offered/bid at 1,700/1,695 ringgit.

CPO for February was offered at 1,705 and bid at 1,695 in both regions.—Reuters