European stocks opened lower, affected by the decline of German Immobilien

European stocks opened lower on Thursday, with German real estate company LEG Immobilien tumbling to the bottom of the Stoxx 600 index on a dividend hold, while investors worried about interest rate hikes continuing for a longer period.

Shares in LEG Immobilien plunged 10.6 percent in early trade, with the company suspending dividend payments after announcing full-year results.

The Stoxx 600 index fell 0.4 percent, affected by a 1.7 percent decline in real estate stocks.

The decline in European stocks came after it closed higher in the previous session, likely supported by the statements of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell regarding the lack of a decision yet on the amount of the increase in interest rates this month.

But fears persisted after stronger-than-expected US data fueled views that the Federal Reserve could continue to raise interest rates.

Mining stocks fell 2 percent after copper prices fell as the dollar approached a three-month high.