• Australian gold stocks rise 1.4%, on track for their best day since April 15, if trend holds

• Gold prices tick up due to a softer dollar as a report of a new proposal by Iran to end the war with the U.S. raises hopes of a de-escalation in the Middle East conflict [GOL/]

• Shares of Evolution Mining and Northern Star Resources rise 2.1% and 0.9%, respectively

• YTD, sub-index up 2.7%, following the previous year's more than 160% gain

(Reporting by Shruti Agarwal in Bengaluru)