European stocks extend gains as banks rally

PARIS, July 9 (Reuters) - European stocks added to early gains on Wednesday, reversing all the previous session's losses, as recently battered banking shares rallied after reassuring comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve chairman. At 0930 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 1.6 percent at 1,179.86 points. Among banks, Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) rose 4.9 percent, Barclays (BARC.L: Quote, Profile, Research) gained 6.1 percent, and UBS (UBSN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research) added 5.6 percent.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said the U.S. central bank may keep an emergency lending facility for big Wall Street firms open longer than it initially intended, sparking sharp gains among U.S. banking stocks.

(Reporting by Blaise Robinson)