CL
Crude advanced as U.S. lawmakers took tentative steps toward raising the government’s debt limit and on a forecast that global demand will increase. Prices increased 0.5 percent. Senate Democrats are planning a test vote before the end of this week on a measure that would grant President Barack Obama authority to raise the $16.7 trillion debt ceiling, probably for a year, unless two-thirds of both chambers of Congress disapprove. The Energy Information Administration increased its forecast for WTI prices and raised its demand estimates.
GOLD
Gold fell for the third time in four sessions as the dollar’s rebound damped demand for the precious metal as an alternative investment. Gold, set for its first annual loss in 13 years, is a “slam dunk” sell for next year because the U.S. economy will extend its recovery after lawmakers resolve stalemates over the nation’s budget and debt ceiling, Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s Jeffrey Currie said.