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June 18 (Reuters) - European shares extended gains in

early trade on Tuesday after posting steep declines last week,

as bank stocks recovered, with focus now shifting to more data

and commentary from central banks' officials to gauge their

monetary policy path.

The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.6% as of 0707

GMT, as most sectors traded higher, with travel and leisure

leading gains with an 1.8% jump.

Lenders in the region gained 1.4%, continuing to

recover from an 8% drop last week.

European shares posted their biggest weekly drop so far this

year on Friday, as President Emmanuel Macron called for a snap

election following a trouncing of his ruling centrist party in

the European Parliament elections.

Focus will now be on commentary from central bank officials

around the world, with at least six U.S. Federal Reserve

officials and European Central Bank's Vice President Luis de

Guindos slated to speak throughout the day.

A final reading of May euro zone inflation and a German

survey of economic sentiment due later in the day are also on

the market participants' radar.

Schneider Electric gained 2.2%, after Jefferies

upgraded the French electric equipment and automation systems

maker's stock to "Buy" from "Hold".