Closing prices of crude oil, gold, and other commodities

The benchmark U.S. crude oil price for February delivery was $79.48 per barrel on Wednesday. This is a 70-cent drop. Brent crude for March delivery fell to $84.98 a bar, or 94 cents.

Wholesale gasoline for February delivery dropped 3 cents to $2.52/gallon. February heating oil rose one cent to $3.26 per gallon. February natural gas decreased 28 cents, to $3.31 per 1,000 cubes.

The price of gold for February delivery was $2.90 to $1.907 an ounce. Silver delivery for March fell 42 cents at $23.65 an ounce, and March copper rose one cent to $4.23 per pound.

The dollar rose to 128.69 Japanese dollars from 128.35. At $1.0793, the euro was unaffected.