** Australian gold stocks rise as much as 1.1% to their highest since Nov. 8
** Sub-index rises 8.3% for the week, breaking three weeks of consecutive declines; set for its best week since mid-Oct
** Gold prices were steady and was poised for a weekly gain, driven by safe-haven demand due to rising geopolitical tensions
** Bullion hit more than one-week high in the last session
** Shares of Northern Star Resources and Evolution Mining climb as much as 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively
** Both hit their highest since early November
** AXGD up 20.8% this year, as of last close
(Reporting by John Biju in Bengaluru)
((John.Biju@thomsonreuters.com;))
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