By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares near 4-mth high, buoyed by trade optimism
• Asian shares, Japan’s Nikkei flat in early trade
• Hopes of progress in US-China talks buoy mood
• Palladium hits record high, gold near 10-mth peak

Oil Markets

• Brent eases from 2019 highs as markets await trade talks outcome
• Brent down 42 cents at $66.80 per barrel (0220GMT)
• WTI down 12 cents at $55.71 per barrel

Precious metals

• Gold steady near 10-mth high; palladium hits record level
• Spot gold little changed at $1,326.10 per ounce (0048GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.5 pct at $1,328.9 per ounce

Grains

• Soybeans edge higher as traders hope for US-China trade deal
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.1 pct at $5.04-3/4 per bushel (0129GMT)
• Most active corn futures up 0.3 pct at $3.75-3/4 per bushel
• Most active soy futures up 0.3 pct at $9.10-1/2 per bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $10.09 per hundredweight

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

• South Africa state capture inquiry continues
• Nigeria main opposition PDP party holds 1st key meeting after polls postponement; ruling APC party held its own yesterday

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

• 2 policemen killed in blast in Cairo, Egypt
• Army to be “ruthless” against tampering in Nigeria’s postponed vote – Buhari
• Oil gains as investors grow optimistic over OPEC output deal
• Nigeria’s electoral commission allows resumption of campaigning after vote delay – statement
• Workers at Port Sudan container terminal strike over concession deal
• Uber agrees to pay VAT in Egypt – tax chief
• South African billionaire Motsepe says he won’t buy Eskom assets
• South African Airways in talks to roll over $650 mln of debt
• Africa Crude – Angola April programme emerges, Nigeria’s awaited amid election delay
• Nigeria’s election delay triggers stock market selloff
• ‘Africans are tired’: hairdresser hopes for change as Senegal election nears
• Athletics – Semenya accuses IAAF of breach of regulations at CAS hearing
• Nigeria’s main opposition party accuses Buhari of ‘jungle justice’ threat
• Kenya’s domestic debt refinancing risks rise as more bonds mature
• 4 Zimbabwe generals retired in Mnangagwa’s first purge of military
• Nigerian assets fall as election delay fuels uncertainty
• Nigeria’s Buhari says reasons for election delay should be investigated after vote
• Zimbabwe opposition politician fined over election results
• Kenya shilling edges up against the dollar
• Nigeria president [holds] emergency meeting with ruling party over election delay
• Nigeria eurobond yields rise after surprise election delay
• South Africa’s Bosasa to cease trading as banks close accounts
• South Africa state airline to be split into three – CEO
• Uganda shilling steady, investor interest in govt debt to help
• South Africa’s Bosasa applies for liquidation as banks close accounts
• South Africa Amplats lost 14,000 platinum ounces during last week’s power cuts
• South Africa Amplats profit nearly doubles on higher prices, improved operations

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