2019.03.1803:26:00UTC+00Commodity Currencies Strengthen Amid Risk Appetite

The commodity currencies such as the Australian, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars advanced against their major counterparts in the Asian session on Monday as Asian shares rose, amid optimism about U.S.-China trade talks as well as indications of more Chinese economic stimulus.

China's Xinhua news agency reported that the U.S. and China have made further "concrete progress" on the text of the trade agreement between the two sides, after a telephone conversation between Vice-Premier Liu He and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

The report raised speculation that between Beijing and Washington would reach a resolution to end their 10-month long trade war.

Investors await Fed meeting due this week, amid hopes that it will hold off raising interest rates.

The benchmark interest rate is likely to be kept in a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent and futures markets see no additional hikes in 2019.

The aussie advanced to more than a 2-week high of 0.7115 against the greenback and a 2-week high of 79.39 against the yen, from its early lows of 0.7078 and 78.92, respectively. The next possible resistance for the aussie is seen around 0.725 against the greenback and 81.5 against the yen.

Reversing from its early lows of 1.5997 against the euro and 1.0340 against the kiwi, the aussie climbed to a 6-day high of 1.5932 and a 10-day high of 1.0372, respectively. On the upside, 1.57 and 1.05 are likely seen as its next resistance levels against the euro and the kiwi, respectively.

The NZ currency appreciated to a 6-day high of 0.6868 against the greenback, 3-month high of 76.62 against the yen and a 5-day high of 1.6505 against the euro, off its previous lows of 0.6840, 76.25 and 1.6555, respectively. If the kiwi extends rise, 0.70, 78.00 and 1.62 are possibly seen as its next resistance levels against the greenback, the yen and the euro, respectively.

The loonie reversed from its early lows of 1.3347 against the greenback, 1.5114 against the euro and 83.54 against the yen, rising to 1.3314, 1.5089 and 83.80, respectively. The loonie is poised to find resistance around 1.31 against the greenback, 1.49 against the euro and 85.00 against the yen.

Looking ahead, at 6:00 am ET, Eurozone trade data for January is due.

The U.S. NAHB housing market index for March is scheduled for release in the New York session.