By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asia shares inch up, Fed caution curbs dollar
• Nikkei up 0.4 pct, but US stock futures slip
• Mixed signals on prospect of Sino-US trade thaw
• Dollar subdued as Fed talks about global risks
• Oil prices recoup some losses on chance of output cut

Oil Markets

• Oil rises on expected OPEC cut, but markets remain wary
• US oil drilling points to more output
• Brent crude oil futures up 0.8 pct at $67.29 per barrel (0045GMT)
• US WTI crude futures up 1.1 pct at $57.07 per barrel

Precious metals

• Gold prices hold steady amid subdued dollar
• Spot gold up about 0.1 pct at $1,222.14 per ounce (0111GMT)
• US gold futures flat at $1,222.8 per ounce

Grains

• Soybean prices drop as US-China trade friction mounts
• Most active CBOT wheat futures down 0.1 pct at $5.06-1/4 per bushel (0155GMT)
• Most active corn futures unchanged at $3.64-3/4 per bushel
• Most active soy futures down 0.3 pct at $8.90 per bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $10.89 per hundredweight

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

• South Africa’s state capture inquiry resumes today; enterprise minister Gordhan to testify
• Nigeria’s leading opposition presidential aspirant Abubakar to present policy document today; incumbent Buhari did same yesterday

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

• Nigeria’s Buhari launches re-election bid with corruption still in focus
• South Africa’s Eskom cuts 1,000MW of power from grid on Sunday
• Nigeria in talks with South Africa’s Transnet for railway concession
• Central African war crime suspect “Rambo” handed to global court
• Egypt and Ethiopia to discuss Nile dam dispute – PM
• Remittances from Egyptians abroad rise 20.4 pct y/y in Sept – c.bank
• Egypt’s Pioneers Holding makes bid for Electro Cable Egypt
• World Bank re-engages Tanzania on scrapped education plan
• Two ex-leaders look set for second round in Madagascar presidential poll
• Soccer-Nigeria seal Nations Cup place with draw in South Africa
• Over 40 killed in attack in refugee base in Central African Republic
• Soccer-Salah scores late winner for Egypt, Morocco sink Cameroon
• Mortar bombs fired at UN peacekeeping base in eastern Congo
• Morocco’s Mutandis launches IPO to raise 400 mln dirhams in Casablanca
• Twelve Congolese soldiers killed in clashes this week in ebola-hit east
• Number of hungry children in Africa’s Sahel hits 10-yr high
• Africa Crude – Traders await January programmes
• At least 42 dead as flames gut bus in Zimbabwe
• Barrick Gold aims to boost dividend in future – incoming CFO
• Nigerian millenials fuel domestic tourism
• Algeria shelves subsidy reforms before presidential elections
• Uganda shilling little changed amid thin importer demand
• Invasive trees targeted by new South Africa anti-drought fund
• Tractor maker Deere aims to ride green revolution in Africa
• South Africa’s Eskom revises coal contract strategy, seeks supply security
• Kenya central bank upholds fines against lenders for suspect transactions
• Kenya shilling weakens on energy sector demand, stays at 10-mth low

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