** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ rise as much as 0.8%, hitting their highest level since June 16

** S&P/ASX 200 Energy sub-index gains for ninth straight session

** Oil prices rose, lifted by optimism over U.S. trade negotiations that would ease pressure on the global economy, and a sharper-than-expected decline in U.S. crude inventories O/R

** Sector major Woodside Energy WDS.AX up as much as 2.1%, at its highest level since June 23

** Sub-index currently up 0.5%, bringing YTD gains to 7.2%

(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru)

((Sherin.Sunny@thomsonreuters.com))