Malaysian palm oil/Vegoils: Market factors to watch friday Mar 16

The benchmark palm oil contract for March delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange was up 1.5 percent at 2,538 ringgit ($621.91) a tonne at the close of trade, its third consecutive day of gains. It earlier rose to 2,541 ringgit, its strongest level since Dec. 18.

KUALA LUMPUR: The following factors are likely to influence Malaysian palm oil futures and other vegetable oil markets on Friday March 16.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Malaysian palm oil futures rose for a fourth consecutive session on Thursday, hitting a one-week top on short-covering and expectations of higher demand ahead of Ramadan.