Commodities, Metals, and Currencies

Crude oil increased $4.91 to close at $104.34 per barrel for a front month contract, natural gas increased 40 cent to $9.76 per mBtu, and gasoline futures increased 10.04 cents to close at 262.95 cents per gallon.

Gold increased $22.20 in New York trading to close at $988.50 per ounce, silver closed up 94 cents to $20.78 per ounce, and copper for front month delivery increased 16.05 cents to 389.20 per pound.

Wheat futures increased 17.50 cents in Chicago trading and closed at $11.05 per bushel. Sugar increased 8 cent to 14.44 cents per pound. Soybean future closed down 2.250 cents to $15.08 per bushel.

Dollar edged lower and traded at a record low against euro to $1.5267 and edged higher against yen to 104.07.