U.S. Dollar Index Higher, Corporate Layoffs Rise

The December U.S. Dollar Index is trading at 96.40, up 0.29. The U.S. Dollar Index is near the session highs. Market talk about global headline news and economic data is making the rounds. Challenger, Gray and Christmas reported that announced corporate layoffs rose 38 percent during September to 44,324. The Department of Labor's weekly jobless claims are due out at 8:30 a.m. ET.