By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Apple warning, China worries hit Asian shares; ‘flash crash’ jolts currencies
• MSCI Asia ex-Japan -0.4 pct, Asia tech shares hit harder
• US stock futures fall over 1 pct after Apple warning
• China shares volatile as economy slows
• Currency ‘flash crash’ sends yen soaring

Oil Markets

• Oil drops as volatile markets supply surge unsettle investors
• Oil supply surge is creating glut
• Saudi Arabia expected to cut Feb physical crude prices
• Brent down 0.8 pct at $54.45 a barrel (0453GMT)
• US WTI crude futures down 1.7 pct at $45.75

Grains

• Soybeans near 2-wk high on Brazil weather conditions
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.3 pct at $5.08 per bushel (0138GMT)
• Most active corn futures down 0.1 pct at $3.75 per bushel
• Most active soy futures up 0.1 pct at $9.08 per bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $10.35 per hundredweight

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

• South Africa’s high school exam results to be released today

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

• New Barrick eyes several options to end Tanzania tax dispute – CEO
• Congo warns of vote result delay as tallies trickle in
• Algeria shuts southern borders to Syrians over security fears
• Somalia orders top UN official to leave
• Zimbabwe’s Delta Beverages to accept cash only amid currency crunch
• In Yemen, world’s worst cholera outbreak traced to eastern Africa
• Ethnic clashes kill in Burkina Faso as security worsens
• Deputy governor of South Africa’s central bank resigns
• Africa Crude – Angolan supply ample, China buying subdued
• Sudan restricts social media access to counter protest movement
• Total starts production at Nigeria’s deepwater Egina oilfield
• Morocco’s growth slows to 2.7 pct in Q4 2018 – planning agency
• Egypt exporting 520 mln cubic feet of LNG per day from Idku plant – official
• Nigeria’s crude output rises to 2.09 mln bpd in 2018
• Uganda shilling a touch weaker as players eye demand uptick

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