** Australian gold stocks .AXGD rise as much as 1.4%, hit
their highest levels since Aug 29
** Bullion prices gain as the dollar hovered near recent
lows, with investors' focus being on a key U.S. inflation
reading as it could influence the size of the Federal Reserve's
next interest rate hike GOL/
** The sub-index set for its third session of gains
** Australia's largest gold miner Newcrest Mining NCM.AX
edges 0.7% higher while Northern Star Resources NST.AX adds
1.4%
** Miner De Grey Mining DEG.AX emerges as the top gainer
in the sub-index, climbing over 5.8%
** .AXGD down 24.8% this year, as of last close, versus
with a 7.4% decline in the benchmark index .AXJO
(Reporting by Jaskiran Singh in Bengaluru)
((Jaskiran.Singh@thomsonreuters.com;))