PARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - European stocks extended their gains on Thursday after data showed an unexpected drop in U.S. weekly unemployment benefit claims, reviving hopes the world's biggest economy is recovering.
At 1235 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 0.7 percent at 1,097.08 points.
(Reporting by Blaise Robinson; Editing by James Regan)
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Keywords: MARKETS EUROPE STOCKS/EXTEND
