• Australian gold miners rise as much as 1.3% in early trade, adding to the broader benchmark's 0.2% gain

• Sub-index hits highest level since September 14

• Gold prices edged higher as US Treasury yields eased, although expectations of higher interest rates limited gains [GOL/]

• Sector leaders Northern Star Resources and Evolution Mining advance as much as 2.1% and 1.3%, respectively

• YTD, AXGD down 0.6%, including the day's moves, slightly outperforming AXJO's 0.2% rise

(Reporting by Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru)