The US Dollar ($USD) is always one of the most important factors in the world markets. A strong dollar has been a major headwind for commodities and emerging markets since the 2011 lows. Many investors are watching for commodities to bounce off the oversold levels they are at, but most of the discussion has been on mean reversion, not any sort of new bull market. Both Crude Oil ($WTIC) and $GOLD made new monthly closing lows at the end of November continuing their downtrends as the US Dollar made new monthly closing highs.