TORONTO -- The futures market suggested a higher open for U.S. stock markets as the price of oil moved lower.

The January crude oil contract was down 25 cents at US$41.47.

The drop came as the December contract for natural gas fell 5.1 cents to US$2.225.

The December gold contract gained US$6.30 at US$1,084.20.

The Canadian dollar was down 0.11 of a cent at 75.09 cents U.S.