Palm oil futures end lower

JAKARTA, July 4 (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures dropped on Thursday, tracking loss in the Dalian soyoil contract, while the market awaited for export and production data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).

The benchmark palm oil contract for September delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange lost 15 ringgit, or 0.37 per cent, to 4,067 ringgit ($864.03) a metric ton on the closing.

"The futures is influenced by external factors while waiting for the MPOB exports data and production figures for leads," a Kuala Lumpur-based trader said.

Palm oil inventories in the world's second-biggest producer Malaysia rose for a third consecutive month in June as exports slowed, while output fell from the previous month, a Reuters survey showed on Thursday.