* US and Iran exchange fire for a second straight day
* Traders see 67% chance of US rate hike in December
* May U.S. producer price index data due at 1230 GMT
(Rewrites for Europe morning session)
By Noel John
June 11 (Reuters) - Gold prices rose on Thursday, rebounding
from a six-month low, as investors covered their short
positions, though concerns around higher inflation and U.S.
interest rates capped gains.
Spot gold rose 0.6% to $4,097.01 per ounce at 0836
GMT after hitting its lowest point since November 21 earlier in
the session.
U.S. gold futures for August delivery were down 0.4%
at $4,118.
"Gold is clearly significantly oversold just now and it
remains to be seen whether this is a recovery as such or simply
short positions taking profit," independent analyst Ross Norman
said.
On the geopolitical front, the U.S. and Iran traded attacks
for a second straight day, with President Donald Trump vowing
further strikes if Tehran does not immediately agree to a peace
deal.
Spot gold has dropped more than 22% since the U.S.-Israeli
war on Iran kicked off in late February, which was followed by a
jump in oil prices.
Elevated crude oil prices can accelerate inflation and keep
interest rates higher for longer. While gold is viewed as a
hedge against inflation, higher interest rates tend to weigh on
the metal.
Data on Wednesday showed U.S. consumer inflation increased
at its fastest pace in three years in May, boosted by surging
prices for energy-related products.
The Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates steady in
Kevin Warsh's first meeting as Fed chair next week, with a
majority of economists in a Reuters poll expecting interest
rates to remain unchanged this year.
However, traders are currently pricing a 67% chance of a
U.S. rate hike in December, according to the CME Group's
FedWatch tool.
"The market now firmly expects the Fed to raise interest
rates before the end of the year," Commerzbank analyst Carsten
Fritsch said. "If next week's meeting does not signal an
upcoming increase in interest rates, the price of gold could
start to recover."
Investors now await the May producer price index reading due
at 1230 GMT to gauge the Fed's monetary policy stance.
Spot silver rose 1.3% to $64.49 per ounce, platinum
gained 0.8% to $1,678.08 and palladium climbed 3%
to $1,249.58.