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