European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has repeatedly used the phrase “staying the course” when referring to upcoming rate decisions, but some market watchers doubt the bank will keep its hawkish stance for much longer. The ECB entered tightening mode last year with four rate hikes in an attempt to control high inflation across the euro zone. These decisions pushed the main deposit rate from -0.5% to 2%. Recent data showed a two-month consecutive drop in headline inflation, but this is still well-above the ECB’s 2% target, hence several comments from ECB officials on how they need to keep raising rates, ... (full story)