U.S. gold futures rose on Tuesday as a weaker dollar prompted fund buying, and rising open interest in longer-dated gold contracts signaled underlying interest, traders said. For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/]. GOLD * Gold for June delivery GCM9 up $3.00 at $916.50 an ounce at 9:36 a.m. EDT (1336 GMT) on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. * Ranged from $912.40 to $923.70. * Dollar's sharp drop against the euro and higher crude oil prices spurred institutional buying in gold as an alternative investment - traders. * The dollar extended losses against the euro after data showing the U.S. trade gap widened less than expected in March boosted risk appetite. [USD/] [ID:nN11541619] * December futures are gaining open interest, indicating longer-term holders are appearing - George Gero, vice president of RBC. * The news of China's rapid expansion of money supply and easier credit may have the effect of increasing future inflationary expectations, and thereby supporting gold - James Steel, chief commodities analyst at HSBC. * Japan's biggest commodity exchange suspended trade in all contracts due to technical trouble on Tuesday, raising concerns about its upgraded system launched only last week. [ID:nT147773] * Gold/oil ratio at 15.47, lower than 15.75 in its previous session. * COMEX estimated 9 a.m. volume at 34,909 lots. * Spot gold traded at $918.45 an ounce, up 0.6 percent from its late Monday quote in New York. * London morning gold fix $920.00 an ounce. SILVER * COMEX July silver SIN9 up 26.50 cents, or 2 percent, at $14.175 an ounce, tracking gold's gains. * Ranged from $13.840 to $14.340. * COMEX estimated 9 a.m. volume at 8,981 lots. * Spot silver was at $14.19 an ounce, up 2.0 percent from its previous finish. * London silver fix at $14.090 an ounce. PLATINUM * NYMEX July platinum PLN9 up $9.30 at $1,130.00 an ounce as a stock market bounce bolstered platinum and other industrial metals. * Spot platinum at $1,121.00 an ounce, up 0.6 percent from its late Monday quote. PALLADIUM * June palladium PAM9 down $1.40 at $235.60 an ounce on light profit-taking after recent gains. * Spot palladium was at $233.00 an ounce, down 0.2 percent from its previous finish.

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