AUD/USD demonstrates pre-Fed anxiety near 0.64 ahead of the US ADP Employment Change

Ahead of Wednesday's key Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, traders become cautious, causing AUD/USD to bounce around 0.6400. Traders of the Australian dollar-United States dollar pair are challenged by both pre-Fed anxiety and China- and U.S.-related concerns during a poor Asian session.

However, recent strong US data reinforced expectations for hawkish Fed action and defied the market's initial anticipation that officials will signal fewer rate hikes beginning in December. However, increased recession fears and rising price pressure look to present a challenge for both Fed hawks and AUD/USD bears.

Despite this, the US JOLTS Job Openings increased to 10,717M in September, compared to the forecast of 10.0M and the upwardly revised readings of 10.28M. In addition, the US ISM Manufacturing PMI rose to 50.2 in October, compared to market forecasts of 50 and a previous reading of 50.9. Final readings of the US S&P Global Manufacturing PMI for October exceeded 49.9 preliminary predictions to reach 50.4, but stayed below the 52.0 readings from the prior month.

In contrast, the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) preparedness to offer additional rate hikes, after announcing the second increase of 25 basis points (bps) to the benchmark rate the previous day, benefits AUD/USD buyers. During his scheduled speech on Tuesday, Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Philip Lowe noted, "Rates have been significantly increased in a very short period of time." According to the official, the board has determined that a more gradual rate rise is necessary.

Aside from this, prospects of reducing covid restrictions in China and the recently higher China Caixin Manufacturing PMI for October may have helped AUD/USD buyers in the past, despite being the third consecutive reading below 50.

Yields remain unchanged at 4.05% following a solid start to November, while S&P 500 Futures register moderate gains despite Wall Street's poor close.

Consequently, AUD/USD pair traders should keep an eye on risk triggers and Australia's September Building Permits for fresh market impetus. Also essential will be the US ADP Employment Change for the month of October, as it gives an early indicator for Friday's US Nonfarm Payrolls report. However, significant emphasis should be placed on the Fed's ability to transmit a brake on the rapid rate hikes.

Combined with the AUD/USD pair's resistance to dip below the 10-DMA support near.6390, Tuesday's daily candle gives buyers hope. A downward-sloping resistance line from the beginning of August, which was near 0.6480 at the time of writing, challenges the upward momentum of the quote.