By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji
Global Markets
- Asia shares subdued, May’s Brexit options eyed after crushing vote defeat
- MSCI’s Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index down slightly
- Australian shares gain 0.1 pct, Nikkei off 0.7 pct
- US stocks end up on gains in tech, internet companies
- Wall St also helped by China stimulus hopes, dovish Fed comments
Oil Markets
- Oil prices dip on signs of economic slowdown, but OPEC-led cuts provide support
- Brent crude futures down 0.3 pct at $60.46 per barrel (0146GMT)
- US WTI crude futures down 0.4 pct at $51.88 a barrel
Precious metals
- Gold prices rise as failed Brexit vote drags on dollar
- Spot gold up 0.1 pct at $1,290.56 per ounce (0050GMT)
- US gold futures up 0.2 pct at $1,290.60 per ounce
Grains
- Soybeans edge higher, rebound from 2-wk low
- Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.3 pct at $5.12-1/2 per bushel (0121GMT)
- Most active corn futures up 0.5 pct at $3.73-1/4 per bushel
- Most active soy futures up 0.4 pct at $8.97 per bushel
- Most active rice futures down 0.2 pct at $10.36 per hundredweight
Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]
- South Africa’s state capture inquiry resumes today
- Nigeria inflation data for Dec-18 expected [fcst. 11.6% yy, prev. 11.3%]
- South Africa retail sales data for Nov-18 due [fcst. 0.6% yy, prev. 2.2%]
- Day 2 of South Africa’s central bank MPC meeting; decision tomorrow, likely unchanged at 6.75%
- Kenyan security in focus after terrorist attacks
Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today
[Posted & commented on some headlines below at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]
- Gunmen kill 15 in Kenya hotel compound attack claimed by Somali Islamists
- US state department official confirms American killed in Kenya attack
- British, American killed in militant attack in Kenya capital – mortuary
- Ethiopia protesters end blockade of main highway to sea
- East Libyan forces heading south to secure oil sites
- Kenya minister: we have secured all buildings affected by militant attack
- Tunisia govt, union fail to agree pay deal, strike likely
- Back from medical leave, Gabon president appears in wheelchair
- Pernod Ricard says Nairobi staff evacuated after hotel attack
- Kenyan police: suicide bomber involved in Nairobi attack
- Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo clear of war crimes, may return to politics
- Vedanta tells top English court pollution case should be heard in Zambia
- South African rand slips after dismal mining data
- Runner-up in Congo poll dispute launches court appeal
- ICC prosecutor says has right to appeal Gbagbo acquittal
- Soldiers patrol Zimbabwe streets after protests kill three people
- Africa Crude – Extra cargo added to Nigeria’s February programme
- Germany’s SAP says all staff safe after Nairobi attack
- Kenyan girl’s rescue shows community key to ending child marriage
- eSwatini to ease ban on South African meat after foot and mouth outbreak
- Kenya police chief: gunmen may still be at large in suspected “terror attack”
- East Libyan forces heading south to secure oil sites
- Three killed in Zimbabwe fuel price protests on Monday – police
- Somali militants claim responsibility for attack in Kenya capital – spokesman
- Protesters in Sudan want end to Bashir’s 30-yr rule
- UK watchdog says has downgraded probe into Credit Suisse over Mozambique loans
- Widespread looting in Zimbabwe’s second city – South Africa’s SABC
- Zimbabwe to give public workers living allowance – minister
- Ugandan shilling forecast to strengthen on coffee dollar inflows
- Nigerian military clears Islamists from northeastern town
- Southern African regional bloc calls emergency Congo election meeting
- Helicopter fires teargas at protesters in Zimbabwe – Reuters witness
- Uganda’s president “astonished” MTN charged less for telecom license renewal
- South Africa’s November mining output down 5.6 pct y/y
- Tanzania’s Bank M assets, liabilities transferred to Azania Bank
- Sibanye-Stillwater has contingency plans for strike at platinum operations
- Emerging market bond rally takes yields to lowest since May
- Zimbabwe says it may need Russia to help modernise its army – RIA
- Zimbabweans join stay-at-home protest after deadly clashes over price hikes
- Top Senegalese chef backs ancient grain as next superfood
N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters
