** Australian gold stocks .AXGD fall as much as 2.3%, set
for worst day since Dec 23, 2022, if losses hold
** Gold prices inched lower as the U.S. dollar witnessed an
uptick, with traders largely focusing on Federal Reserve Chair
Jerome Powell's speech for insights into the central bank's rate
hike path GOL/
** De Grey Mining Ltd DEG.AX emerges as the top loser on
AXGD with a 7% drop
** Sector heavyweight Newcrest Mining NCM.AX sheds 2.7%
while Northern Star Resources NST.AX falls 2.6%
** AXGD lost 9.1% in 2022
(Reporting by Nausheen Thusoo in Bengaluru)
((Nausheen.Thusoo@thomsonreuters.com;))