Malaysia-Market factors to watch on May 8.

KUALA LUMPUR: Following is a list of events in Malaysia as well as news company-related and market news whichcould have an influence on the Malaysian market Wednesday. GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks climb higher as investors chase performance

SE Asia Stocks-Malaysia up on post election rally; Thai SET index hits 1,600

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MALAYSIA, IN TIMES LOCAL FOLLOWED BY GMT:

* Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd press conference on first half financial results, Level 1, Training Room, No 3, Jalan Metro Pudu 1, Fraser Business Park, Off Jalan Yew, Kuala Lumpur at 10 am (0200 GMT).

* Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd press conference in conjunction with IPO prospectus launch, Starhill 2, Level 4, JW Marriot Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur 10.30 am (0230 GMT).

* Press conference by European Union Delegation to Malaysia on EU-Malaysia relations, Hall 11, Golden Screen Cinema, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur at 4 pm (0800 GMT).

MARKET NEWS

> Nikkei climbs to new five-year highs on U.S. stocks, German data

> Dow ends above 15,000 for first time, S&P closes at record

> Prices dip, but range bound in new debt supply

> Markets calm, kiwi stung by RBNZ comment

> Gold down over 1 pct as ETF outflows continue

> Oil down after rally on German data, Mideast tensions

> Palm oil ends higher; firm ringgit caps gains MALAYSIA IN THE NEWS:

> Malaysia-based Titan pays discount for June naphtha

> PREVIEW-Malaysia c.bank likely to hold steady on interest rates - Reuters

VEGOILS-Market factors to watch May 8(Wednesday)

KUALA LUMPUR: The following factors are likely to influence Malaysian palm oil futures and other vegetable oil markets on Wednesday.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Malaysian palm oil futures ended higher on Tuesday, fuelled by bargain-hunting from the previous day's nearly five-month low, although gains were capped by a firm ringgit and key industry data due at the end of the week.

* Chicago Board of Trade corn futures turned higher on Tuesday in a recovery bounce after their biggest plunge in five weeks on Monday as U.S. farmers struggle to plant corn in muddy fields.

* Brent crude oil fell more than $1 on Tuesday as worries about market fundamentals curbed an early rise that had brought the price close to $106 a barrel on strong German data and concern about tension in the Middle East. MARKET NEWS

* Major stock indexes in Germany and the United States hit all-time highs on Tuesday after data bolstered expectations that Germany has returned to growth, while Australia reminded markets that accommodative policies from central banks have room to run.

* Oil fell on Tuesday after initially rallying on optimism about a recovery in Europe and worry over growing Middle East tensions, while copper consolidated from a 3-week high as commodity investors turned cautious ahead of trade data from China. RELATED NEWS

> Emerging market growth expectations hit seven-month low -HSBC > Exxon to develop Julia field in Gulf of Mexico

> Brazil's Petrobras says makes offshore oil find near Iara area DATA/EVENTS

> Industry regulator the Malaysian Palm Oil Board to release the country's palm output, stocks, exports and imports for April on Friday. - Reuters