March 31, 2006	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 1, 1427

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30: Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended Thursday down as traders awaited monthly export estimates, although volumes were substantial despite a stronger ringgit currency and ample stocks, traders said.

The benchmark third-month June contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed down eight ringgit at 1,434 ringgit ($388.5) a ton. Other traded months were up two ringgit to down 11 ringgit.

Volume reached a respectable 6,186 lots of 25 tons each, which traders attributed to hedging of short positions at the end of the month.

Cargo surveyors Societe Generale de Surveillance and ITS are due to give their estimates for March exports on Friday.

In physical palm oil trade, April crude palm oil was offered at 1,415 ringgit a ton, for both southern and central regions, against bids of 1,412.50. Trades were heard between 1,410 and 1,415 ringgit for the southern region.

May CPO saw sellers at 1,425 ringgit for central and southern regions, against bids of 1,420, with trades at 1,420 in the southern region, while details of trades in the central region were not available.—Reuters