** Aussie gold stocks .AXGD fall as much as 2.1% - set for
their worst day since Sept. 5, if losses hold
** Gold steadied after eking out a narrow 0.1% gain last
week, as investors assessed U.S. Federal Reserve officials'
warning of further interest rate hikes GOL/
** Sector majors Northern Star Resources NST.AX falls as
much as 2.6% and Newcrest Mining NCM.AX falls as much as 1.2%
** Bellevue Gold BGL.AX and Capricorn Metals CMM.AX
slide over 4% each
** As of last close, AXGD up ~13% this year vs a 0.4% gain
in benchmark index .AXJO
(Reporting by Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru)
((Himanshi.Akhand@thomsonreuters.com;))