By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares tripped up by new US tariff threat
• Asia shares ex-Japan dip, Tokyo markets on holiday
• Reports Trump to impose more tariffs on China at 10 pct
• Markets awaiting details, reaction from Beijing

Oil Markets

• Oil prices ease as trade row clouds demand outlook
• Brent crude oil futures dip 0.2 pct at $77.93 a barrel (0035GMT)
• US WTI crude futures down 0.3 pct at $68.79 a barrel

Precious metals

• Gold treads water on reports new China tariffs imminent
• Spot gold was flat at $1,193 an ounce (0039GMT)
• Bullion fell last week for a third straight week
• US gold futures down 0.2 pct at $1,198.20

Grains

• Wheat jumps 1 pct, hits five-day high
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.9 pct at $5.16-1/4 per bushel (0042GMT)
• Most active corn futures down 0.4 pct at $3.50-1/2 per bushel
• Most active soy futures down 0.3 pct at $8.27-3/4 per bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $10.49 per hundredweight

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

• South Africa consumer inflation data for Aug-18 due on 19 Sep [fcst. 5.6% yy, prev. 5.1%]
• South Africa interest rate decision on 20 Sep [fcst. 6.5%, prev. 6.5%]

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

• Egyptian archaeologists find sandstone sphinx in temple at Aswan
• Sudan’s president brings back Zubeir as central bank governor
• Ethiopian, Eritrean leaders sign peace agreement in Jeddah
• Sudan inflation hits new highs in August – statistics agency
• Athletics – Kenyan Kipchoge shatters marathon world record in Berlin
• Sudan’s newly appointed finance minister rejects post – SUNA
• South Sudan’s main rebel group accuses govt of violating ceasefire
• Congo will declare cobalt and other minerals as “strategic” in coming days – mines minister
• Exiled leader of Ethiopian rebel group returns home amid reforms
• Islanders in Kenya build recycled plastic boat to highlight pollution
• Chad army kills two civilians near Libyan border – sources
• Egyptian court orders arrest of Mubarak’s sons over stock market manipulation
• Rwanda frees jailed opposition figure Ingabire
• Egypt signs oil, gas exploration deal with Shell, Petronas worth about $1 bln – statement
• Tunisia ruling party suspends PM’s membership after row with president’s son
• Nigerian finance minister Adeosun resigns over forgery claims
• Nigeria fraud agency briefly at Standard Chartered’s office in Lagos
• Nigeria’s Buhari accepts resignation of finance minister – presidency
• Morocco’s trade deficit widens 10.1 pct y/y in Jan-Aug
• Africa Crude – BP again bids for Nigerian, Angolan programmes awaited
• South African rand enjoys strong week as Moody’s turns more upbeat
• BP, Vitol go head to head in West African crude trading
• Brazil’s BTG Pactual may keep Petrobras Africa stake – source
• “Cartel” of Sierra Leone officials ran passport scam for US visas – anti-graft chief
• Film on rape victims’ recovery shows unseen side of Congo war
• Kenyan president proposes cutting fuel tax by half, to 8 pct
• Anglo American asks Angola for permission to explore for metals
• Tunisia will not impose new taxes in 2019 – prime minister
• IMF says Kenya’s external position is strong as standby deal expires
• Zimbabwe’s opposition leader postpones mock inauguration after cholera outbreak
• Arid Niger a ‘model for Africa’ as desert blooms
• In South Sudan ghost town, peace deal not yet a reality
• Bharti Airtel picks banks for London floatation of Africa business – sources
• IMF says will continue supporting Kenya’s reform efforts
• Kenyan shilling expected to ease against the dollar
• Investec to hive off asset mgt unit

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