By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian stocks fall after weak US data, crude oil buoyant
• MSCI Asia-Pacific index falls 0.8 pct
• Nikkei down 1.2 pct
• US retail sales post biggest fall since Sept 2009
• Eyes on US-China trade talks, meeting with Xi

Oil Markets

• Oil hits 2019 highs on OPEC cuts, US sanctions
• Brent to average $70/bbl in 2019 – BoAML
• Brent up 0.6 pct at $64.97 per barrel (0450GMT)
• US WTI up 0.6 pct at $54.70 per barrel

Precious metals

• Gold prices firm as dollar eases on grim US retail sales
• Spot gold little changed at $1,312.82 per ounce (0009GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.1 pct at $1,315 an ounce

Grains

• Soybeans rebound from 3-wk low
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up about 0.1 pct at $5.07-1/4 per bushel (0211GMT)
• Most active corn futures up about 0.1 pct at $3.75 per bushel
• Most active soy futures up about 0.1 pct at $9.04-3/4 per bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $10.19 per hundredweight

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

• Nigeria inflation data for Jan-19 expected [fcst. 11.3% yy, prev. 11.4%]
• Bank of Uganda townhall event today
• Kenya digital ID pilot registration starts today
• Kenya roll call of striking nurses today; absentees to be dismissed

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

• MTN Uganda CEO deported from country over national security
• US military denies taking part in raid on al Qaeda site in Libya
• Eritrea refugees flown to Niger from Tripoli – UN
• Egypt central bank cuts key interest rates after inflation eases
• Cameras spot Kenya’s rare black panther
• Security forces round up protesters in central Khartoum, Sudan
• Nigeria ‘Delta Avengers’ militants vow to cripple economy if Buhari re-elected
• Nigeria’s Buhari says govt is committed to free, fair and peaceful election
• Nearly 1,000 Madagascar children dead of measles since October – WHO
• Eskom split to minimise risks to South Africa, Ramaphosa says
• Women shut out of Nigeria’s poll by violence, fraud and sexism
• Africa Crude – Nigeria election in focus after militant threat
• Egypt lawmakers back changes that could keep Sisi in power till 2034
• Sudan refugee detained on Manus Island wins prestigious human rights price
• Uganda economy seen expanding at 6.3 pct in 2018/19 – IMF
• Sibanye-Stillwater may cut nearly 6,000 jobs in gold shake-up
• Tanzania hydrowpower dam to cost more than double govt estimate – study
• South Africa’s Ramaphosa says Eskom split will minimise risks to economy
• Vast Resources set to mine Zimbabwe diamond territory – minister
• Sudan pound falls to record low on black market
• Kenya shilling firm, draws support from offshore investors
• Kenya court sentences police officer to death for killing detainee
• South Africa’s NUM union warns ANC over Eskom split plan
• Uganda shilling holds steady as firms settle their taxes
• At least 23 illegal Zimbabwean gold miners feared dead after shafts flooded
• Kenya’s KenGen to raise funds from the market this year, eyes green bond
• South Africa’s December mining output down 4.8 pct y/y
• Huawei to build data centres in South Africa
• South Africa’s Eskom extends power cuts, rand slides
• South Africa’s rand breaches $14 as Eskom sours outlook

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