EUR/USD aims to surpass 1.0840 as hawkish ECB bets soar

The EUR/USD pair is struggling to extend its rebound above the immediate resistance of 1.0840 in the early Asian session. The major currency pair is expected to stretch its recovery move amid hawkish commentary from European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde and hawkish cues from ECB December meeting accounts.

Fineprints from ECB’s Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts indicated that the majority of the policymakers were favoring an interest rate hike by 75 basis points (bps) but later supported the view of ECB President Christine Lagarde that it might dampen the overall demand and favored a 50 bps interest rate hike.

ECB Lagarde at World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos reiterated the view that inflation is too high, however, the ECB is determined to bring it down to 2% in a timely manner. She further added that “We may only see a small contraction in the Eurozone.”

The market mood remained risk-averse amid escalating chances of a recession in the United States economy. Analysts at Wells Fargo stated that US Industrial Production fell 0.7% in December and November’s numbers were revised lower. With industrial production has fallen in six of the past eight months, the largest of which being November and December, it is evident that the manufacturing sector is already in recession.

Further, Vice Chair Lael Brainard said "significant weakening in the manufacturing sector," a moderation in consumer spending, and other data pointing to now "subdued growth" in 2023.

S&P500 is facing the impact of the solidifying case of recession. The 500-stock basket recorded a three-day losing streak, portraying negative market sentiment. The demand for US government bonds faded after remaining firmer in the past few sessions. The 10-year US Treasury yields rebounded to near 3.39% after recording a fresh five-month low at 3.33%. Meanwhile, the US Dollar index (DXY) has dropped to near 101.60 after surrendering the critical support of 101.80.