Market Roundup

US drug sector traded mixed, with the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index (DRG) gaining about 0.25% and the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index (BTK) losing about 0.35%. Shares of Biosante Pharmaceuticals Inc BPAX dipped about 17.50% after the company announced its plans to raise $18 million in registered direct offering. Shares of Santarus Inc SNTS surged about 10% after SNTS and its partner Pharming Group NV submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) for RHUCIN to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The US dollar sharply versus the Japanese yen and Swiss franc, after weak data on US home prices and consumer confidence. The dollar index (DXY) gained about 0.02%. Against the yen, the greenback fell 0.7731%. However, the dollar reached a record low versus the Swiss franc, dipping about 0.8022%. Gold stocks gained, with the AMEX Gold Miners Index (GDM) rising around 2.51%. Gold on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 1.66% to $1,405 an ounce in recent trading. The top gainers included Hecla Mining Co HL, Gammon Gold Inc GRS and Silver Wheaton Corp SLW. Oil and gas stocks rose slightly higher on Tuesday. Crude-oil futures for February gained $0.27 to $91.27 per barrel in New York. The NYSE Arca Oil Index (XOI) gained about 0.32%. Shares of Valero Energy Corp VLO fell about 0.22%. The NYSE Arca Natural Gas Index (XNG) gained about 0.26% while the Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index (OSX) fell around 0.03%. Read more from Benzinga's Markets.