Crude oil for January delivery was up 0.16% or 0.11 to $68.99 a barrel. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Brent oil for delivery in February fell 0.12% or 0.09 to hit $72.69 a barrel, while the February Gold Futures contract rose 0.97% or 25.91 to trade at $2,687.41 a troy ounce.
Japan stocks lower at close of trade; Nikkei 225 down 0.52%
