• Australian gold stocks rise as much as 2.7% to post their biggest intraday pct jump since Dec. 10

• Sub-index hits highest level since Dec. 19

• Gold prices edge higher after hitting a more than two-week high overnight boosted by safe-haven demand [GOL/]

• Shares of Northern Star Resources and Evolution Mining rise as much as 2.9% and 2.5%, respectively

• Both Northern Star and Evolution Mining hit their highest levels since Dec. 18

• Sub-index climbed more than 14% in 2024

(Reporting by John Biju in Bengaluru)