** A sub-index of Australian gold stocks .AXGD jumps as
much as 2.6% to its highest level since early-November 2020
** Gold prices rose 1% overnight and hit a record high amid
Middle East tensions and bets for more U.S. rate cuts GOL/
** Northern Star Resources NST.AX jumps as much as 2.9% to
hit a near four-year high
** ASX-listed shares of Newmont Corp NEM.AX rise 2.2% to
an all-time high
** Evolution Mining EVN.AX rises 2.9% and Ramelius
Resources RMS.AX gains 3.2%
** As of last close, AXGD up 18.2% this year, overshadowing
a 7.3% gain in the benchmark index .AXJO
(Reporting by Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru)
((Himanshi.Akhand@thomsonreuters.com;))