** Australian gold stocks .AXGD fall as much as 5% to their lowest level since February 19

** The sub-index set for worst week since early February, if losses hold

** Gold prices retreat on rising U.S. Treasury yields, firmer dollar GOL/

** Northern Star Resources NST.AX falls as much as 2.1% and Evolution Mining EVN.AX slips 3%

** AXGD down 6.7%, YTD

(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)

((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))