Stocks added to gains on Thursday, with bank shares setting the S&P 500 on track for its best close since at least late October.

U.S. lenders' shares rallied despite deep declines in their European peers.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> edged up 10.22 points, or 0.08 percent, to 12,428.64. The S&P 500 Index <.SPX> added 5.23 points, or 0.41 percent, to 1,282.53. The Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> gained 23.28 points, or 0.88 percent, to 2,671.64.

(Editing by Kenneth Barry)