News Summary: Commodities end mostly higher

The Associated Press

MOSTLY HIGHER: Most energy prices edged higher Thursday, a day after crude oil had its biggest drop of the year.

STILL WATCHING: Traders are keeping a close eye on Washington to see if President Barack Obama and Congress succeed in avoiding crippling spending cuts at the end of the year by acting to reduce the U.S. government's budget deficit.

MIXED GRAINS: December wheat rose 8.5 cents to end at $9.025 a bushel, December corn fell 3 cents to $7.4125 per bushel and January soybeans fell 11.25 cents to $14.9575 per bushel.