Crude futures closed up slightly Tuesday, getting some relief from a weak dollar but not making significant strides as traders prepared for the end of the year. The dollar is generally inversely related to the price of oil, and so a small the decline in the dollar index .DXY may have lent some strength to crude oil, according Thomas Saal, an analyst with INTL Hencorp Futures. Saal said prices may have also been boosted as traders balanced their positions before the end of the year. The global benchmark Brent LCOc1 settled up 2 cents at $57.90. U.S. crude CLc1 settled up 51 cents at $54.12 a barrel. Both measures hit 5-1/2-year lows yesterday before rebounding slightly. A woman pumps gas at a station in Falls Church, Virginia December 16, 2014. U.S. crude was supported slightly by news that the Obama administration took two long-awaited steps that could increase […]