** Australian gold stocks .AXGD rise as much as 1.74% to
their highest level since Nov 8
** Sub-index up for second consecutive session
** Gold prices gained 1% on Tuesday buoyed by expectations
that the Federal Reserve had reached an interest rate peak after
minutes from the U.S. central bank's latest meeting anchored a
cautious approach to more hikes GOL/
** De Grey Mining DEG.AX up as much as 3.20%, their
highest level since Oct 23
** Northern Star Resources NST.AX up as much as 2.45%,
their highest level since Nov 8
** Evolution Mining EVN.AX up as much as 1.57%, their
highest level since July 19
** Sub-index up 14.2% this year as of last close
(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru)
((Sherin.Sunny@thomsonreuters.com))