New York gold futures ended higher on Tuesday after the previous session's losses on options-related buying and unexpectedly weaker U.S. housing data. For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/]. GOLD * Gold for June delivery GCM9 settled up $5 at $926.70 an ounce on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. * Ranged from $917.60 to $929.90. * Gold turned higher after data showed new U.S. housing starts and permits unexpectedly fell to record lows in April, denting hopes that stability in the housing market was imminent. [ID:nN19408037] * Buying of long-dated call options and option writing by gold producers improved gold futures sentiment - Jonathan Jossen, COMEX gold options floor trader. * Longer-term inflation worries will continue to shape demand for gold in the investors' space, after U.S. and Europe consumer prices data showed a slight rebound in prices - BNP Paribas. * Safe-haven demand could diminish as a closely watched VIX index .VIX fell below 30 for the first time in eight months, indicating the perceived need for portfolio insurance is diminishing. [ID:nN19417474] * Mitsui Global Precious Metals raised forecast for gold prices to average $920 an ounce this year, up from a previous forecast of $906, saying it is "medium term bullish, but short term wary" towards the yellow metal. [ID:nLJ507882] * A German asset management company plans to set up 500 "Gold-To-Go" automatic teller machines (ATMs) in Germany, Switzerland and Austria this year. [ID:nLJ422294] * Gold/oil ratio at 15.43, lower than the 15.59 of its previous session. * COMEX estimated final volume at 120,029 lots. * Spot gold traded at $925.85 an ounce at 3:10 p.m. EDT (1910 GMT), up 0.9 percent from its late Monday quote in New York. * London gold fix $924.75 an ounce. SILVER * COMEX July silver SIN9 finished up 29.50 cents, or 2.1 percent, at $14.125 an ounce, as the less liquid white metal took direction from the gold market. * Ranged from $13.73 to $14.295. * COMEX estimated final volume at 15,438 lots. * Spot silver was at $14.21 an ounce, up 3.6 percent from its previous finish. * London silver fix at $13.88 an ounce. PLATINUM * NYMEX July platinum PLN9 ended up $7.50 at $1,145.10 an ounce on better overall economic sentiment. * Global demand from automakers for platinum catalytic converters dropped more than 8 percent to 3.81 million ounces in 2008, as North American vehicle output tumbled amid the economic slowdown - Johnson Matthey. [ID:nN15560493] * An anticipated bankruptcy filing by General Motors Corp (GM.N) by the end of May should not drastically dent platinum autocatalyst demand, unless the car industry slashes production further from its current dismal level - analysts [ID:nN18382606] * Spot platinum at $1,137 an ounce, up 0.8 percent from its late Friday quote. PALLADIUM * June palladium PAM9 closed up $4.10, or 1.8 percent, at $234.10 an ounce, tracking platinum's gains. * Spot palladium was at $231.50 an ounce, up 2.2 percent from its previous finish.

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