Earnings support European shares but political jitters hit banks

By Danilo Masoni and Helen Reid MILAN/LONDON (Reuters) - European shares edged ahead on Wednesday, helped by good earning updates, but bank stocks hit a five-week low on growing concerns over the region's crowded election agenda this year. At the forefront of investors' concerns is the French presidential election, with worries about the strong showing of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen keeping euro and French debt under pressure on Wednesday.