Grain markets have been sensitive to any risks over South American supply as strong Chinese import demand has already absorbed much available soy and corn on the world market.
The yuan crept up after China's central bank lifted its official guidance level to the highest in 30 months , to as high as 6.5280 against the dollar in the onshore market, but was last unchanged at 6.5408.
Positive risk sentiment on the back of progress on US stimulus, where negotiators were closing in on a $900 billion COVID-19 aid bill, and hopes for a Brexit trade deal probably also hurt safe-haven bonds.
French business activity unexpectedly also almost returned to growth this month as some coronavirus restrictions were eased and the manufacturing sector saw a minor rebound.
The latest snapshots of U.S. oil supplies are expected to show a mixed picture, with gasoline and distillate stocks rising and crude inventories falling.
Bond yields rose on Monday after an extension of trade talks between Britain and the European Union eased fears of a messy parting of ways between the two.