(raw materials / closing price /% change)

Light Crude 93.90 -0.06%

Gold 1,277.30 +0.15%

Crude oil rose as U.S. economic data pointed to stronger growth in the world's biggest oil-consuming nation. Existing home sales rose to a 10-month high, jobless claims slid more than forecast and a manufacturing index surged to the highest since 2010. This data are indicating that U.S. demand is looking strong.

WTI for October delivery rose 0.64% to $94.10 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Gold fell to a two-month low on the outlook for higher U.S. interest rates that strengthened the dollar. Many U.S. policy makers raised the possibility they may boost rates sooner than anticipated, minutes of the Federal Reserve's July meeting showed yesterday. Futures traders are seeing more chance of rising interest rates by the middle of next year, reducing gold's allure because the metal only offers investors returns through price gains.

Gold for December delivery fell to $1,277.10 an ounce (-1.23%) on the Comex in New York.