By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares rise as China and US weigh fresh talks
• MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index up 0.4 pct
• Nikkei up 0.9 pct

Oil Markets

• Oil prices claw back some ground, but demand worries drag
• Brent crude up 0.3 pct at $78.41 a barrel (0122GMT)
• US WTI crude up 0.4 pct at $68.86 per barrel

Precious metals

• Gold rises slightly as soft US data tempers rate hike views
• Spot gold up 0.2 pct at $1,203.55 an ounce (0108GMT)
• US gold futures mostly steady at $1,208.50 an ounce

Grains

• Corn prices ease from 3-mth low, but set to finish the week down 4 pct
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.8 pct at $5.00-3/4 per bushel (0105GMT)
• Most active corn futures up 0.3 pct at $3.51-1/2 per bushel
• Most active soy futures up 0.5 pct at $8.37-1/2 per bushel
• Most active rice futures down 0.2 pct at $10.75 per hundredweight

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

• Nigeria inflation data for August expected [fcst. 11.2% yy, prev. 11.1%]

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

• Lebanese tourist jailed for Facebook post leaves Egypt after release
• Sudan names ministers of finance, interior in new govt
• Kenya president rejects finance bill, parliament to reconvene Sept. 18
• US sanctions to remain until Zimbabwe demonstrates reforms – official
• Zambia denies it planned to offer power utility as security for Chinese loan
• Aid agencies ramp up response to Zimbabwe cholera outbreak
• Wind and solar farms could double rainfall in Sahara, scientists say
• South Africa’s rand shines after Turkish rate hike, Moody’s comments
• Tunisia needs $2.53 bln in external financing next year – senior official
• Africa Crude – Shell offers Nigerian cargoes, draws no buyers
• China’s CCCC wins $398 mln contract to build Mombasa oil terminal
• Tunisia will offer public-private partnerships worth $4.7 bln
• US carries out air strike in Somalia as it backs local troops
• African countries urged to toughen laws on female genital mutilation
• France pushes year-end vote for Libya despite doubts in Italy, Tripoli
• Moody’s sees little chance of South Africa downgrade
• Kenya, Uganda, Zambia currencies seen weaker next week
• South Africa’s competition tribunal approves Glencore’s bid for Chevron assets
• South Africa’s Implats CEO confident of funding during restructuring
• South Africa committed to prudent fiscal policy – finmin
• Kenya says IMF stand-by arrangement over, still engaging with the fund
• Kenya central bank sells dollars as IMF facility expiry weighs on shilling
• Guptas cannot cross-examine witnesses at inquiry unless they testify – South African judge
• ICE launches West African crude oil swaps
• Ghana bids farewell to former UN chief Kofi Annan
• Ugandan shilling weakens under importer demand pressure
• As water bank runs, Uganda greens hills to soak up rain
• Namibia-focused oil firm Azinam eyes $60 mln Oslo IPO
• Kenya’s budget deficit seen at 4.3 pct of GDP in 2019/20 – finmin
• Kenya GDP to grow by 6.2 pct in 2019 – finmin
• South Africa’s economic recovery will be slow, below Treasury estimate – Moody’s
• South Africa’s Aspen to sell infant formula unit to Lactalis for $864 mln
• Lactalis says Aspen deal to boost overseas business
• South Africa’s Implats FY loss deepens

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