** Australian gold stocks .AXGD rise 2.8% to touch their highest level since February 2

** Sub-index up tracking a rise in bullion prices on Wednesday, after U.S. Treasury bond yields fell following data showing December retail sales growth stalled GOL/

** AXGD also buoyed by a 7.7% jump in heavyweight Evolution Mining EVN.AX which posted a half-year underlying profit after tax of A$785 million ($555.23 million), more than double last year's

** Bellevue Gold BGL.AX up 5.4%

** Broader mining index .AXMM up 1.9%

** YTD, the gold miners' sub-index is up 10.8% after climbing 123.5% in 2025

(Reporting by Shruti Agarwal in Bengaluru)

((Shruti.Agarwal@thomsonreuters.com))