By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian markets cheer US-Mexico trade deal
• MSCI ex-Japan up 0.6 pct, Nikkei jumps 0.7 pct
• US, Mexico reach NAFTA deal, turn up pressure on Canada
• Analysts treating the risk rally with caution
• Some major currencies rally against the dollar

Oil Markets

• Oil rise on expectations of tightening market
• OPEC still cutting back more output than it agreed to
• IEA warns of further production falls in Venezuela
• Venezuelan crude exports have halved to below 1 mln bpd
• US sanctions to target Iran’s oil sector from November
• Brent crude futures up 0.4 pct at $76.51 per barrel (0037GMT)
• US WTI crude futures up 0.4 pct at $69.11 per barrel

Precious metals

• Gold prices steady as dollar sags on US-Mexico trade deal
• Spot gold steady at $1,211.31 an ounce (0047GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.2 pct at $1,217.90 an ounce

Grains

• Corn prices ease as ample global supply drags
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.1 pct at $5.23 per bushel (0113GMT)
• Most active corn futures down 0.2 pct at $3.60-3/4 per bushel
• Most active soy futures unchanged at $8.48-1/4 per bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $10.51 per hundredweight

Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]

• UK’s Theresa May in South Africa today for state visit; to visit Nigeria and Kenya subsequently
• South Africa’s EFF & Malema to hold press conference on myriad issues
• South Africa’s DA & Maimane to hold press conference; on NMB council, etc
• Africa-Singapore Business Forum starts in Singapore; 28-29 Aug
• South Africa’s state capture inquiry continues today; former ANC MP Mentor to continue testimony

Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today
[Posted & commented on some headlines below at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]

• Algeria’s Bouteflika in Geneva for medical tests – presidency
• France says it kills top Islamic State official in Mali operation
• Egyptian movement calls for release of opposition figures
• Ethiopia arrests disgraced regional boss accused of rights abuses
• Liberia set to secure ancestral land rights with long-waited law
• South Africa connection charges could trigger job cuts – Telkom CEO
• Ugandan court grants bail to lawmakers charged with treason
• Egyptian security forces kill five suspected militants in shootout
• South Africa scraps nuclear power expansion plans until 2030 – energy min
• Ethiopia ousts state firm from Nile dam project after construction delays
• Congo trial over killings of UN experts resumes after long suspension
• Nigerian economy loses momentum in Q2 as oil sector contracts
• Kenyan shilling steady, remittance inflows meet importer dollar demand

N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters