European shares slip from 28-mth high; banks fall

* FTSEurofirst 300 down 0.3 percent

* Truckmakers fall on cartel probe

* For up-to-the-minute market news, click on [STXNEWS/EU]

By Brian Gorman

LONDON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - European shares slipped from a 28-month high on Wednesday, with truckmakers lower on an anti-trust probe and with banks falling back after a recent strong run.

At 1008 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 <.FTEU3> index of top European shares was down 0.3 percent at 1,164.04 points, after rising 0.9 percent in the previous session to its highest close since September 2008.

The European benchmark is up 80 percent from its lifetime low of March 2009, with several major economies having emerged from recession helped by stimulus from governments and central banks worldwide. European Union authorities launched cartel raids on truck manufacturers in Europe, including the industry's top two firms, Daimler <DAIGn.DE> and Volvo <VOLVb.ST>, which fell 1.3 percent and 1 percent respectively. Scania <SCVb.ST>, also under investigation, fell 2.1 percent. [ID:nLDE70H2CU]

However, most analysts remained upbeat, citing strong fundamental drivers, such as earnings from the likes of U.S. technology company Apple <AAPL.O>. "Earnings look good, with strong margins," said Bernard McAlinden, investment strategist at NCB Stockbrokers in Dublin. "Macro(economic) stuff has been good, with a strong German ZEW. Monetary policy remains accommodative, but we may now be moving towards higher interest rates."

The banking sector <.SX7P> slipped, having had a strong run in recent days, on optimism for measures to address the eruo zone peripheral debt crisis.

Banco Santander <SAN.MC> and Intesa SanPaolo <ISP.MI> fell 0.6 percent and 0.5 percent respectively.

Across Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 <.FTSE> fell 0.1 percent, Germany's DAX <.GDAXI> was up 0.1 percent and France's CAC40 <.FCHI> fell 0.2 percent.

RETAILERS FALL

European retailers <.SXRP> were among the biggest losers, with downbeat news hitting smaller British companies.

Kesa <KESA.L> fell 5.6 percent after Europe's third-biggest electricals retailer said full-year profit would be at the lower end of expectations due to bad weather and weaker sales in Britain following a sales tax rise. [ID:nLDE70I072]

HMV <HMV.L> fell 9.5 percent after saying credit insurers had reduced the cover they were prepared to give its suppliers, adding to worries about the long-term future of the British music and books retailer.

Some analysts said upbeat earnings news may already be priced in. "The rally from earnings season may have run its course. There is a danger a consolidation may turn into a correction," City Index market strategist Joshua Raymond said.

On the upside, William Hill <WMH.L> rose 7.8 percent after Britain's biggest bookmaker said its full-year operating profit will be at the top end of market expectations.

In ecomomics, the number of Britons claiming unemployment benefit fell unexpectedly last month, while the number of people out of work rose in the three months to November. [ID:nAHLICE7C9]

Later, investor attention will turn to U.S. economic data, such as housing starts and earnings from companies including Goldman Sachs <GS.N>, Bank of New York Mellon <FIBK.O> and State Street <STT.N>. (Editing by Dan Lalor)