European Markets Shrug-Off Band News

European stocks are expected to add modest gains at the opening bell Wednesday as investors brace for a series of risk events in the coming days that could define market direction into the summer months.

Thursday's slate of major events, including a U.K. general elections that appears nearly too-close-to-call but will undoubtedly set the tone for the country's exit negotiations from the European Union, has added a defensive dimension to global trading, with gold prices rising to multi-month highs and bond yields falling past year-to-date lows.

This article was written by a staff member of TheStreet.