European stocks fell after rising in recent days

The European benchmark index fell on Thursday after a three-month rise as optimism about the peak of monetary tightening and an eventual interest rate cut faded.

The European STOXX 600 index fell 0.2 percent by 0810 GMT, after increasing 2.5 percent over the past three days and recording its highest level in more than a month yesterday, Wednesday.

Over the course of the week, inflation data from the United States and Britain raised hopes that central banks had finished raising interest rates. The focus has now turned to inflation data in the euro zone, which will be released tomorrow, Friday.

Empressor shares jumped 14.2 percent after the Swedish game developer reported greater-than-expected operating profits in the second quarter, while Siemens shares rose 5 percent as the industrial software maker announced better-than-expected industrial profits in the fourth quarter.

While Hello Fresh shares fell 20.6 percent, being the biggest losers on the STOXX 600 index, after the German meal kit maker lowered its expectations for annual core profits.