European stock markets opened with some gains on the day the UK referendum is taking place. The STOXX 600 index and the FTSEurofirst 300 recorded a 0.5 per cent increase and are expected to register profits for a 5th session in a row. The rise in copper offered a boost to mining shares, while the British FTSE 100 was up by 0.7 per cent. The British pound also recorded an upward trend against the US dollar. Most investors have their attention drawn to the historic vote in the UK, waiting to gauge the impact the outcome would have on the European and global markets.