BUZZ — Australian energy stocks jump as Citi stays positive on improved commodity prices

(Updates) * Australian energy stocks rise as much as 1.9%, their highest level since September 18 * Stock on track to mark its best session since October 2 * Energy stocks gain tracking rise in oil prices as attacks on Saudi Arabia outweighed the prospect of increased supplies O/R * Sector heavyweights Woodside Energy and Santos up 2% and 2.6% respectively * Citi sees upside in Australian gas companies following "constructive" commodity price environment in Sept quarter * Brokerage sees double-digit core earnings growth for energy giants Woodside Energy and Santos over CY26 * Sees free cash flow growth in STO's Barossa, Pikka projects and says WDS leverages high global gas prices while investor attention is firmly on successful execution of WDS's Scarborough project commissioning * YTD, Energy sub-index up 31.5% (Reporting by Aamir Sheik Khalid and Paridhi Minda in Bengaluru) ((Aamir.SheikKhalid@thomsonreuters.com)