By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Sterling tumbles on Brexit turmoil; dollar, oil jump
• Brexit uncertainty hits pound, euro, buoys dollar
• MSCI Asia Ex-Japan index down 0.5 pct
• But European share markets seen opening higher
• US dollar hits new 16-month high
• Weak China data, US Fed rate hike expectations weigh
• Oil prices surge on Saudi production cut plans

Oil Markets

• Oil prices jump after Saudi Arabia announces December supply cut
• Saudi Arabia plans December supply cut of 0.5 mln bpd
• OPEC producers mull supply cuts for 2019
• OPEC reacts to 20 pct price fall since early October
• Brent crude oil futures up 2 pct at $71.59 per barrel (0749GMT)
• US WTI crude futures up 1.6 pct at $61.15 per barrel

Precious metals

• Gold prices hold steady near 1-mth low
• Spot gold little changed at $1,209.57 per ounce (0121GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.3 pct at $1,211.7 per ounce

Grains

• Wheat rebounds from 1-week low; lean demand caps gains
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.4 pct at $5.04 per bushel (0144GMT)
• Most active corn futures down 0.8 pct at $3.69 per bushel
• Most active soy futures down 0.5 pct at $8.86-1/4 per bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $10.62 per hundredweight

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

• South Africa’s state capture inquiry resumes
• Paris Peace Forum contiunes today; a number of African heads of state in attendance

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

• South Africa’s Eskom warns of power cuts due to low coal stockpiles
• Italy’s PM expects Libyan commander Haftar to join Palermo conference
• South Africa’s rand retreats as dollar surge rattles demand
• Kenya to sell 20-yr infrastructure bond worth 50 bln shillings in Nov – cenbank
• South Africa’s Vodacom H1 profit down 13.5 pct
• Italy hosts Libya conference to push new UN peace plan
• Congo opposition picks Martin Fayulu as its presidential candidate
• Egyptian court adds Islamist group to terrorism list
• Health of Gabon’s hospitalized leader has greatly improved – presidency
• Tanzania president fires two ministers over cashew nut prices, govt may buy stock
• Zimbabwe’s unlicensed foreign currency traders face 10-yr jail
• Egypt’s core inflation accelerates to 8.86 pct y/y in Oct – cbank
• Egypt’s Banque Misr seeks to borrow $550 mln before end-2018 – vice chairman
• US concerned by rising attacks on human rights in Tanzania
• Nigeria names fifth commander in under 2 years to lead fight against Boko Haram
• Egypt’s headline inflation surges to 17.7 pct in Oct
• Total plans new offshore Angola well to boost oil output
• Current ebola outbreak is worst in Congo’s history – ministry
• IMF sees Namibia’s GDP contracting in 2018
• Death toll from Somalia hotel attack rises to 39
• Soccer-Tunisia’s Esperance win African Champions League
• Libyans want truly national govt, wealth distribution – NGO report
• Africa Crude – Brisk spot trade on strong diesel margins
• US appoints Pham as envoy to Africa’s Great Lakes region
• South African central bank fines HSCB for lax money laundering controls
• South Africa’s struggling state arms firm Denel fires CFO
• First food aid to reach Cameroon’s Anglophones after months
• South Africa’s Tongaat swings to HY loss, shares dive
• Kenya signs agricultural exports deal with China
• South Africa’s Sasol to reverse provision over tax dispute
• Kenyan private equity firm raises $155m in second round funding
• EU observers say Madagascar presidential vote anomalies are marginal
• South Africa’s Gold Fields reports drop in Q3 output
• Kenyan shilling weakens against the dollar due to higher demand
• Nigeria’s Diamond Bank has not received offers of cash from investors
• Union demands bailout for South Africa defence group Denel
• South Africa’s Tiger Brands says FY earnings to fall as much as 30 pct
• Carmakers lure ride-hailer, delivery drivers in Africa
• US firm to assemble phones in Uganda
• South Africa’s Discovery to issue 11.4 mln shares to buy out FirstRand JV stake
• US OPIC signs $100 mln loan deal with Africell
• Angola’s net reserves fall further in October to $11.6 bln
• South Africa’s Life Healthcare flags higher profits
• Ethiopia says mass grave with 200 bodies uncovered in strife-torn region
• US concerned about ebola outbreak in Congo conflict zone – official

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