By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Stocks slip as US-China trade row revives growth fears; oil elevated
• MSCI Asia-Pacific index down 0.2 pct, Nikkei up 0.15 pct
• Global trade war fears rekindled as US-China tariffs kick in
• Euro steadies after touching 3-1/2-mth peak on Draghi comments
• Looming Iran sanctions, OPEC defying calls to up output to lift oil

Oil Markets

• Oil rises to within 4-yr high as producers resist output increase to offset Iran sanctions
• US sanctions to target Iran’s oil exports from November
• OPEC, Russia so far resist calls to raise output
• High oil prices threaten emerging market growth
• Brent crude futures up 0.3 pct at $81.42 per barrel (0315GMT)
• US WTI crude futures up 0.3 pct at $72.26 a barrel

Precious metals

• Gold steady amid trade tensions, eyes on US Fed
• Spot gold barely changed at $1,198.28 (0056GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.2 pct at $1,202.60 an ounce

Grains

• Soybeans hit 5-day low as bumper harvest outstrips estimates
• Most active CBOT wheat futures down 0.5 pct at $5.24-1/2 per bushel (0100GMT)
• Most active corn futures down 0.4 pct at $3.59-1/4 per bushel
• Most active soy futures down 0.2 pct at $8.39-1/4 per bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $9.83 per hundredweight

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

• Nigeria’s Buhari to address UN General Assembly today; other African heads of state too
• Nigeria’s central bank to decide interest rates today [fcst. 14.0%, prev. 14.0%]
• Kenya’s central bank to decide interest rates today [fcst. 9.0%, prev. 9.0%]

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

• US diplomat found dead in Madagascar – State Dept
• Aid delivered after deadly mudslides in Sudan’s Darfur
• Canada’s Barrick Gold to buy Randgold for $6.5 bln
• Ivory Coast ruling coalition splits over feud
• South Sudan govt forces, rebels clash within weeks of peace deal
• Three workers reportedly kidnapped near Burkina Faso gold mine
• Senegalese chef puts super grain on New York menus to boost African farmers
• Aquarius migrant ship calls on Europe for help, sails to Marseille
• Actis, TPG picked to take over some Abraaj funds – sources
• Africa Crude – Spot trade slows, Platts eyes WAF grades for dated Brent
• As Tripoli vilence rises, France wants sanctions on militias
• Egyptian court confirms 20 death sentences over killing of policemen
• Prince William visits Namibia on conservation tour
• Liberians take to the streets to demand return of lost millions
• Burkinabe farmer wins ‘alternative Nobel’ for drought-fighting technique
• London court extends injunction against Djibouti co. in DP World dispute – Dubai govt
• South Africa’s Life Healthcare not ruling out return to India after Max disposal
• Kenya central bank says rate setting meeting will be Tuesday
• Libya’s coast guard rescues 235 migrants off western coast
• Bank of Ghana keeps policy rate unchanged at 17 pct
• Egypt cancels 5- and 10-yr treasury bond auction
• Morocco’s OCP and China’s Hubei Forbon team up to develop fertilisers
• Ugandan shilling a touch stronger on slower importer demand
• Israel’s Netanyahu to meet Egypt’s Sisi in New York – Israeli official
• Kenyan governor denies murdering pregnant lover
• Kenyan troops kill 10 al Shabaab fighters – army
• Moroccos’s finance hub issues 335 mln dirhams green bond
• Actis picked to take over Abraaj’s Africa funds – sources
• Tullow Oil abandons first Namibian well, keeps options open
• Kenyan shilling eases due to importer dollar demand
• In Nigeria, Shell’s onshore roots still run deep
• IMF says Egypt’s structural reforms key for sustainable development

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