[BRIEFING.COM] Though the S&P 500 recently managed to poke into positive territory, it remains hampered by widespread weakness as a result of listless trade and a stronger U.S. dollar.

The Dollar Index is currently up 0.3% after a pullback from earlier levels. That has helped give a lift to the broader market and garnered additional support for commodities.

In the face of gains by the greenback, gold prices have spiked to a new record high. They are currently up 2.9% to $1084.20 per ounce. That has helped drive the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD 106.35, +2.40) to its own record highs and prop up the materials sector, which is up 1.0%.

Oil prices started the session lower, but have made their way to a 1.5% gain at $79.30 per barrel. That has helped drive the energy sector to a 0.8% gain.

However, industrials make up the best performing major sector. It is currently up 1.1% amid strength in rail stocks, which are collectively up 11.3% following a bid from Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 100,350.00, +1,600) for Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNI 97.59, +21.52) for $100 per share in cash and stock.

Still, the broader market remains largely unimpressed by those gains and so the other seven major sectors have been stuck in the red.

Financials had been one of the worst performing sectors, but recent volatility in the sector has left it with a rather modest 0.4% loss. MasterCard (MA 216.31, -6.34) has been a drag on the sector since hosting an uninspiring conference call that overshadowed its better-than-expected third quarter earnings.

In economic news, factory orders for September increased a stronger-than-expected 0.9%, but that didn't do anything to inspire participants.