** Australian gold stocks .AXGD rise 3.9%, facing their strongest session since October 14

** Sub-index at highest level since October 24

** Bullion prices rose on Thursday, buoyed by a Fed rate cut, and lingering uncertainty over progress in the U.S. - China trade deal

** Gold miners Evolution Mining EVN.AX and Northern Star Resources NST.AX up 3.7% and 3.9% respectively

** AXGD gains 91.5% YTD

(Reporting by Shruti Agarwal in Bengaluru)

((Shruti.Agarwal@thomsonreuters.com))