LONDON, May 17 (Reuters) - European shares slightly extended gains on Friday as better-than-expected U.S. economic data suggested a tentative recovery in the world's largest economy was gaining traction.
U.S. consumer sentiment rose more than epxected in early May to the highest in nearly six years as Americans felt better about their financial and economic prospects. April's leading indicator also beat estimates.
The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index extended gains to trade 0.3 percent higher at 1,249.11 points.
