NEW YORK, Jan 29 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures extended gains to more than $1 on Tuesday as data showing rising U.S. home prices and improving German consumer sentiment fed optimism about the economy and improving prospects for fuel demand.

U.S. March crude was up $1 at $97.44 a barrel at 11:14 a.m. EST (1614 GMT), having traded from $96.29 to $97.72.

(Reporting by Robert Gibbons; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick) Keywords: ENERGY CRUDE/FUTURES

(robert.gibbons@thomsonreuters.com)(+1 646 223 6059)(Reuters Messaging: robert.gibbons.reuters.com@reuters.net)

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