By V. Phani Kumar
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Crude-oil and gold futures plummeted Thursday as the dollar surged and U.S. index futures pointed to another day of steep losses. Light, sweet crude for delivery in November CL1X -5.78% dived $4.53, or 5.3%, to $81.39 a barrel as fears over the health of the global economy and demand outlook escalated. December gold futures GC1Z -3.66% , meanwhile, slumped $72.50, or 4%, to $1,735.60 an ounce as stocks looked set for another sell-off. The dollar index DXY +0.96% soared 1.3% to 78.72, meanwhile, reflecting heightened risk aversion and further pressuring commodities that are priced in the currency.
