By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Nikkei nudges up 0.3 pct, most markets flat
• Dollar firm as sterling takes a dive amid Brexit unease
• OPEC seeks oil pact with Russia-led group – WSJ

Oil Markets

• Oil ticks higher
• Brent up 7 cents at $62.05 a barrel (0153GMT)
• US WTI up 8 cents at $53.74

Precious metals

• Gold prices hold firm
• Spot gold steady at $1,315 per ounce (0049GMT)
• US gold futures steady at $1,319.10

Grains

• Soybeans edge lower
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up about 0.1 pct at $5.27-1/2 per bushel (0144GMT)
• Most active corn futures down 0.1 pct at $3.80-1/4 per bushel
• Most active soy futures down 0.1 pct at $9.19-1/2 ber bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $10.74 per hundredweight

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

• Liberia’s Weah to visit Nigeria today
• Guinea’s Conde to arrive Ethiopia for 3-day visit
• South Africa opposition DA party leader to deliver alternative SONA; Ramaphosa’s tomorrow
• South Africa SACCI business confidence for Jan-18 [prev. 95.2]

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

• UN sees poverty hope in African uptake of child welfare payments
• Egypt babies get blue ribbons as parents say ‘no’ to FGM
• Ex-Ivory Coast president Gbagbo conditionally released to Belgium – court
• Zimbabwe president invites opposition for talks as teachers strike
• Egypt lawmakers pave way for Sisi to stay in power until 2034
• Zambia infrastructure minister arrested on corruption charge
• Africa Crude – Demand for Angolan stays firm, Europeans considering taking Nigerian
• Sudan security forces use tear gas to disperse protesters
• Tunisia inflation falls to 7.1 pct
• Ethiopia finalising mining industry reforms – minister
• Equatorial Guinea to offer Ophir’s old oil and gas block in April auction
• South Africa’s competition regulator weighing impact of StanChart’s US fine
• South Africa to unveil Eskom support package in coming days – Ramaphosa
• Egypt net foreign exchange reserves at $42.616 bln at end Jan – cenbank
• CAR signs peace deal with armed groups
• Morocco’s unemployment rate drops to 9.8 pct in 2018 – planning agency
• Equatorial Guinea to launch first mining license round in April
• Foreign holdings in Egypt treasuries at $13.1 bln – deputy minister
• Zambia receives bids for stake in state mining investment arm
• IMF to conduct final review of Egypt loan programme in June – minister
• Zimbabwe teachers strike patchy as reprisals feared
• South Africa unions oppose potential split of power firm Eskom
• Egypt targets GDP growth of 5.6 pct this fiscal year, 6 pct in FY 19/20
• Egypt to raise gas output by 400 mln cubic feet this week – minister
• Uganda shilling unchanged on slumping demand
• Centrica, Tokyo Gas sign deal to purchase Mozambique LNG
• VEON says aims to buy out Egypt’s Global Telecom for $600 mln
• Kenyan shilling unchanged, seen firming
• South Africa’s Amplats sees up to 2-fold jump in FY profit
• Egypt non-oil private sector activity lags to slowest since Dec 2017 – PMI

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