European stock markets settled lower on Thursday, as investors sifted through earnings reports and assessed the mixed tone on the path for monetary policy from the Federal Reserve.

Europe's leading Blue-chip index, EURO STOXX 50 lost 5.31 points or 0.16 percent to settle at 3,333.96. UK's benchmark index FTSE 100 fell 30.88 points or 0.42 percent to close at 7,271.37.

Meanwhile, Germany's benchmark index DAX lost 50.76 points or 0.42 percent to end at 11,947.83. French benchmark index CAC 40 lost 4.59 points or 0.09 percent to end at 4,891.29.