As the US labor market strengthens and China CPI is anticipated, AUD / USD Appears Vulnerable Near 0.6600

The AUD / USD pair is displaying a back-and-forth pattern during the Asian session below the round-level resistance of 0.6600. The Australian asset appears vulnerable at the same time that the risk-aversion theme has been strengthened by intensifying fears of a U.S. recession and expectations of higher rates from the Federal Reserve (Fed).

S&P500 futures are displaying nominal losses following a fragile recovery move. It seems that the dead cat recovery move by the 500-US stocks basket is tapering away. The US Dollar Index (DXY) has turned sideways above 105.20 after a modest correction; however, the upside appears favored amid positive U.S. Employment data.

The robust addition of new jobs to the US labor market in February as a result of rising demand has validated Fed policymakers' concerns about persistent inflation. The United States Automatic Data Processing (ADP) reported an increase of 242K positions in February, exceeding both the expected increase of 200K and the previous release of 119K. As a result, Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated, "The Fed is prepared to announce more rates to reduce inflation."

The US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data, which will be released on Friday, will provide investors with greater insight into the state of the US labor market. In addition, the dissemination of the Unemployment Rate and Average Hourly Wages will be crucial.

The Australian Dollar has been under intensified pressure following the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) fifth consecutive 25 basis point (bps) rate hike and RBA Governor Philip Lowe's consideration of a policy-tightening suspension in response to a one-time blip in the monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Investors are currently focused on China's Consumer Price Index (CPI) (February) data. It is anticipated that China's annual CPI will decrease to 1.9% from the previous release of 2.1%. The monthly CPI in China has been reduced to 0.2% from 0.8% previously. If inflation declines, the Chinese government and the People's Bank of China (PBOC) may be forced to infuse more liquidity into the economy.