** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ fell 0.4% to 7,748

** The sub-index slips on declining oil prices due to macroeconomic and geopolitical concerns, which could strangle global demand O/R

** Energy stocks fell as much as 0.7% earlier in the day to hit their lowest level since December 21, 2021

** AXEJ is down for a third straight session

** Sector major Woodside Energy WDS.AX fell as much as 1% to hit its lowest level since March 7, while smaller rival Santos STO.AX fell about 0.1%

** AXEJ down 10.2% YTD

(Reporting by Adwitiya Srivastava in Bengaluru)

((Adwitiya.Srivastava@thomsonreuters.com))