By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Stocks, US treasury yields climb as trade row fails to dent confidence
• MSCI Asia-Pacific index up 0.7 pct, Nikkei rises 1.5 pct
• Trade salvos taken in stride, but trade war to remain key worry
• Long-term US yields near 4-mth highs amid ebb in risk aversion
• Oil prices consolidate after rally

Oil Markets

• Oil prices steady as concerns about producer output outweigh US stockpile gain
• Brent crude futures down 9 cents at $78.92 per barrel (0334GMT)
• US WTI crude futures down 0.1 pct at $69.81 a barrel

Precious metals

• Gold prices inch up as dollar eases despite trade dispute
• Spot gold up 0.1 pct to $1,199.18 an ounce (0044GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.1 pct at $1,203.70 an ounce

Grains

• Soybeans linger near decade low as US-China trade war escalates
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.6 pct at $5.13-1/2 per bushel (0026GMT)
• Most active corn futures up 0.1 pct at $3.43-1/2 per bushel
• Most active soy futures up 0.2 pct at $8.15-1/4 per bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $10.05 per hundredweight

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

• South Africa’s COSATU congress continues today (day 3; 17-20 Sep)
• Final day of African ports and hinterland connectivity conference in Abuja (17-19 Sep)
• South Africa consumer inflation data for August expected [fcst. 5.6% yy, prev. 5.1%]
• South Africa’s state capture inquiry continues
• Day 2 of Bank of Ghana MPC meeting (18-20 Sep); decision on 24 Sep

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

• Firestone reduces Liberia rubber wood output as low prices bite
• South Africa sea snails under threat from surge in poaching – report
• Donors halt aid to Zambian social welfare scheme over suspected misuse
• Egypt sees surge in share offerings, testing market
• eSwatini police, crowd clash during wage, pension fund protests
• Soccer-Sierra Leone FIFA ban after anti-graft officials raid FA offices
• Uganda to require telecom firms to list on local bourse
• Africa Crude – Asia tenders keep spot Nigerian and Angolan trade muted
• South African utility Eskom delays completion of new strategy
• Iranian oil minister will not attend OPEC meeting in Algeria
• Algeria energy export volumes down 2.8 pct in first quarter – ministry
• Italian priest kidnapped overnight near Niger’s southern border
• British fund Gemcorp extends $250 million loan to Zimbabwe – CEO
• Zimbabwe opposition lawmakers walk out of Mnangagwa address
• Sibanye-Stillwater, Lonmin still committed to merger after competition watchdog decision
• Campaigners demand anti-FGM law as girls bleed to death in Somalia
• Uganda shilling unchanged, forecast to weaken due to energy sector dollar demand
• South Africa’s highest court gives green light to private use of cannabis
• Italy judge set to give first ruling in Nigeria oil graft case
• Militia fighting in Tripoli knocks out power in parts of Libya
• Botswana trims growth prospects, sees wider budget deficits; 2.3 pct of GDP in 2018
• South African fintech JUMO to expand in Asia with Goldman Sachs backing
• Nigeria’s trafficking curse: the battle to dispel the black magic behind sex slavery
• Uganda to renew operating license of local unit of MTN Group
• Kenyan shilling gains slightly on inflows, commercial bank dollar sell-off
• Vivo closes Engen purchase, excludes DRC
• Bertelsmann to expand customer service alliance with Morocco’s Saham
• Africa’s rapid population growth puts poverty progress at risk, says Gates

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