palm oil futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed higher yesterday,

taking the lead from external factors, dealers said.

December

2010 gained RM69 to close at RM3,506, January 2011 rose by RM27 to

RM3,438, February 2011 rose by RM31 to RM3,412 and March 2011 climbed by

RM39 to RM3,396.

Total volume went up to 25,648 lots from 18,360

lots yesterday while open interest rose to 79,723 contracts from 79,239

previously. On the physical market, November South gained RM60 to

RM3,510 a tonne from Monday’s price.