Nikkei up 2.3 pct on bank optimism, ends 9-day slide

TOKYO, July 14 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average gained 2.3 percent on Tuesday to snap a nine-day falling streak, with banks buoyed by upbeat analyst comments about the U.S. financial sector and exporters lifted by a halt in the yen's sharp appreciation.

Nissan Motor Co (7201.T) surged more than 7 percent on its plans to boost production capacity in China, while Komatsu Ltd (6301.T) jumped more than 6 percent after the Nikkei business daily said the company returned to profitability in the April-June quarter.

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 finished up 211.48 points at 9,261.81. It had slid 2.6 percent the previous day to hit its lowest finish since May 18.

The broader Topix rose 1.9 percent to 868.57. (Reporting by Shinichi Saoshiro)