• Australian gold stocks fall as much as 1.5%, their lowest since June 12

• The benchmark index S&P/ASX 200 index down 0.5%

• Bullion prices extended losses as fading prospects of a permanent U.S.-Iran peace deal boosted expectations of Federal Reserve rate hikes [GOL/]

• Gold miners Evolution Mining and Northern Star Resources slid 0.9% and 0.4%, respectively

• AXGD down 21% YTD

(Reporting by Keshav Singh Chundawat in Bengaluru)