1.   Corn planting conditions look favorable, said traders, and weekend rains helped replenish some areas hard-hit by a drought last season.

2.   Even so, expectations for slower growth among some investors may prevent yields from rising too much, said traders.

3.   First Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov bears responsibility for that turnaround, said traders and investors.

4.   Foster said traders will also be watching the release of machinery orders for February, slated for Tuesday afternoon.

5.   Foster said traders will also be watching the release of machine tool orders for February, slated for Monday afternoon.

6.   Jim Duffy, Kansas City branch manager for Gerald Energy, said traders caught in short positions were buying contracts.

7.   Jim Duffy, Kansas City branch manager for Gerald Energy, said traders were hesitant to take positions ahead of the release late Wednesday of storage numbers.

8.   Much of the funds that flowed into Latin American equities went to Brazil, however, which offered more attractive returns, said traders.

9.   Recent rains have delayed planting in a few areas by about five days, but planting is proceeding well, said traders.

10.   Telecommunications shares tumbled as the Milan stock exchange was flooded with sell orders from abroad, said traders.