* Democrats manoeuvre to fast-track Biden's $1.9 trillion
stimulus
* Euro under pressure as bloc faced with double-dip
recession
* Graphic: World FX rates https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
By Kevin Buckland
TOKYO, Feb 3 (Reuters) - The dollar traded near a two-month
high versus the euro on Wednesday as investors looked to a
widening disparity between the strength of the U.S. and Europe's
pandemic recoveries.
The view was bolstered by moves in Washington toward
fast-tracking more stimulus spending that contrasted with
concerns about extended European lockdowns and expectations for
a decline in euro zone growth this quarter.
The dollar was little changed at $1.2038 per euro EUR=EBS
early in the Asian session, after strengthening to $1.20115
overnight for the first time since Dec. 1.
The broader dollar index =USD was mostly flat at 91.081
after rising to a two-month high of 91.283 in the previous
session.
The greenback's advances come despite a rise in equities
amid improving risk sentiment, defying the currency's historic
inverse directional relationship with stocks.
However, many analysts expect the correlation to reassert
itself as the year progresses, and for the dollar to decline as
global growth recovers amid massive fiscal stimulus and
ultra-easy monetary policy.
"The relative growth dynamics between Europe -- weak -- and
the U.S. -- better -- are favouring the USD at the moment, but
it remains to be seen if this can be a longer-lasting theme,"
wrote National Australia Bank FX strategist Rodrigo Catril, who
expects the euro to weaken below $1.20 in the near-term.
The dollar also benefited from a massive bout of
short-covering, especially against the yen where hedge funds had
racked up their biggest short bets against the greenback since
October 2016.
The U.S. currency was little changed at 105.025 yen
JPY=EBS after gaining to 105.17 overnight for the first time
since Nov. 12.
Many see the dollar's rebound since early last month as a
correction after its relentless decline last year, although some
think the dollar's new-found firmness could reflect a retreat of
the bearish sentiment on the currency.
The dollar index has rebounded 1.2% this year after an
almost 7% decline in 2020.
"The bear case is facing a short-term stress test," Westpac
strategists wrote in a note.
"Our base case is that without short-term yield support
there's a limit to how far U.S. recovery optimism can boost the
USD," they wrote. "Global reflation and the Fed's determined
dovish stance limits upside potential beyond that."
========================================================
Currency bid prices at 0037 GMT
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Euro/Dollar EUR=EBS $1.2040 $1.2045 -0.04% -1.46% +1.2045 +1.2037
Dollar/Yen JPY=D3 105.0120 105.0900 -0.09% +1.66% +105.0520 +105.0000
Euro/Yen EURJPY= 126.43 126.40 +0.02% -0.39% +126.5200 +126.4100
Dollar/Swiss CHF=EBS 0.8977 0.8975 +0.04% +1.49% +0.8980 +0.8972
Sterling/Dollar GBP=D3 1.3665 1.3670 -0.03% +0.03% +1.3668 +1.3659
Dollar/Canadian CAD=D3 1.2781 1.2781 +0.01% +0.38% +1.2786 +1.2780
Aussie/Dollar AUD=D3 0.7608 0.7608 +0.01% -1.09% +0.7615 +0.7602
NZ NZD=D3 0.7196 0.7192 +0.10% +0.25% +0.7205 +0.7187
Dollar/Dollar
All spots FX=
Tokyo spots AFX=
Europe spots EFX=
Volatilities FXVOL=
Tokyo Forex market info from BOJ TKYFX
<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
World FX rates https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^>