European shares extend gains, up 2 pct

LONDON, Oct 9 (Reuters) – European shares extended their day's gains in afternoon trade on Thursday, up 2 percent as U.S. stock futures rose strongly and the previous day's concerted global rate cut helped to soothe worried investors.

At 1254 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 2 percent at 959.14 points, but still down about 12 percent on the week, on track for its worst week on record.

Royal Bank of Scotland jumped 14.4 percent and HBOS surged 35.6 percent.

Among oil shares BP added 2.5 percent and Total rose 3.2 percent as crude edged up. Miners Eurasian Natural Resources and Antofagasta added 14 and 11.5 percent, respectively.