[BRIEFING.COM] Following the Fed's announcement last night that it was raising the discount rate to 0.75% from 0.50%, the US Dollar Index hit a high not seen since June 15. The dollar continues to trade higher today, and is currently up 0.3% at 81.190. The Index has pulled back from its overnight high, which has pushed commodities somewhat higher, except for natural gas. March crude traded in the red all night before gaining strength earlier this morning, pushing the energy component into positive territory. Currently, crude is at $79.27 per barrel, down 0.3%. March natural gas has traded in negative territory all session today and is just off recently hit lows of $5.036 per MMBtu. Natural gas is currently 1.8% lower at $5.081 per MMBtu. April gold and March silver also picked up steam after hitting overnight lows of $1099.30 per ounce and $15.76 per ounce, respectively. Both precious metals have pushed back near the unchanged line as gold is trading 0.04% lower at $1114 per ounce and silver is trading $0.01 lower at $16.05 per ounce. In other commodity-related action, the Baltic Dry Index gained 0.4%. Only the Capesize Subindex declined -- it fell 1.5% after five straight sessions of advances, which combined for a near 11% gain.

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