By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji
Global Markets
- Asia stocks reach 5-wk high, yuan makes weekly gains
- Powell says Fed can be patient as US economy evolves in 2019
- China’s top trade negotiator to visit US in January
- Yuan hits 5-mth high, to make biggest weekly gain since 2005
- Trump threatens to use emergency power to fund Mexico wall
Oil Markets
- Oil slips on economic worries, but still set for strong weekly gain
- Oil prices supported by OPEC-led supply cuts
- But surging US production could undermine OPEC efforts
- Brent crude futures down 0.2 pct at $61.55 per barrel (0333GMT)
- US WTI crude futures down 0.1 pct at $52.52 per barrel
Precious metals
- Gold prices inch up as dollar softens on Fed rate outlook
- Spot gold up 0.2 pct at $1,288.83 per ounce (0117GMT)
- US gold futures up 0.2 pct at $1,289.40 per ounce
Grains
- Soybeans edge higher, set for first weekly fall in three weeks
- Most active CBOT wheat futures up about 0.1 pct at $5.14 per bushel (0202GMT)
- Most active corn futures up 0.3 pct at $3.77-1/4 per bushel
- Most active soy futures up 0.3 pct at $9.09-1/4 per bushel
- Most active rice futures unchanged at $10.85 per hundredweight
Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]
- Top officials of South Africa’s ruling ANC on the road across country for 107th anniversary activities
Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today
[Posted & commented on some headlines below at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]
- In Cairo, Pompeo blasts Obama’s Middle East policies
- South Africa’s Steinhoff says creditor challenges debt restructuring
- Sudan forces fire tear gas to break up Omdurman protests
- Congo’s president-elect steps out of father’s shadow but doubts persist
- EU wheat at 1-wk low as Egypt tender leaves export hangover
- Company led by ex-MTN Nigeria CEO Wood exits 9mobile
- Africa Crude – Chinese demand for Angola heats up; Europeans seek Nigerian
- Miss Algeria trolled for skin colour after winning title
- Ethiopia charges ex-head of military firm METEC with corruption
- Zimbabwe unions reject 10 pct pay rise offer
- Egypt’s urban inflation drops to 12 pct as food prices fall
- Egypt’s current account deficit narrows in July-Sept quarter – cbank
- Egypt’s core inflation increases to 8.3 pct y/y in December – cbank
- Ivory Coast cocoa grind up 9 pct through December – exporter stats
- South Africa’s Woolworths pulls baby carriers after copying scandal
- Congo Catholic church disputes presidential election outcome
- South Africa calls for restraint over DRC election result
- Tanzania fines Acacia Mining for breaching environmental regulations
- South Africa’s manufacturing output rises 1.6 pct y/y in November
- Ex-Mozambique finimin court case postponed – legal team
- Ugandan shilling unchanged as demand from banks ebbs
- South African business confidence index falls in December
- Kenyan shilling firm amid high liquidity
- Belgium to raise doubts about Congo vote result at UN
- Zimbabwe doctors end strike without deal as unions meet govt
- Congo presidential loser’s supporters cry foul after surprise result
- Kabila advisor accepts election defeat; says democracy triumphed
- Sibyanye-Stillwater expects gold output to miss forecast amid wage strike
- French foreign minister questions Congo election result
- Egypt non-oil private sector activity shrinks in December, but at slowing rate
N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters
