[BRIEFING.COM] The stock market opened sharply lower, but is currently back just under the unchanged line, while the US Dollar Index remains higher.

December crude oil has trended lower for the majority of its session thus far and recently hit lows of $76.55 per barrel. Currently, crude is trading 1.1% lower at $77.28 per barrel.

December natural gas rose sharply in recent activity, pushing out of negative territory to new session highs of $4.904 per MMBtu. In recent activity, natural gas is trading 0.9% higher at $4.866 per MMBtu.

Although the US Dollar Index remains near session highs, December gold is trading in positive territory, up 0.8% at $1062.9 per ounce, while December silver is essentially flat, down two cents at $16.42 per ounce.