** Australian gold stocks .AXGD rise as much as 2.4% to 12,050.9 points, last up 1.9%

** Sub-index lost 9.8% at close in the previous session as prices of safe-haven bullion were threatened by easing tensions surrounding trade relations between U.S. and China

** However, gold prices are back up on the day amid dip buying GOL/

** Gold major Evolution Mining EVN.AX jumps 1.2%, while larger peer Northern Star Resources NST.AX is up 0.4%

** West African Resources WAF.AX is up 6.7%, while Bellevue Gold BGL.AX soars some 4.1%

** YTD, AXGD up 42.1%

(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)

((nichiket.sunil@thomsonreuters.com))