By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asia shares fall as weakening global outlook offsets trade progress
• MSCI Asia ex-Japan down 0.1 pct
• China home price growth eases in January
• Aussie dollar rebounds as officials seek to reassure investors

Oil Markets

• Oil prices fall as US crude output hits record 12 mln bpd
• Brent down 0.3 pct at $66.87 per barrel (0326GMT)
• WTI down 0.2 pct at $56.84 per barrel

Precious metals

• Gold prices rise on trade talk optimism; Fed stance limits gains
• Spot gold up 0.2 pct at $1,325.52 per ounce (0548GMT)
• US gold futures unchanged at $1,328.1 per ounce

Grains

• Wheat prices edge up, but set to finish week down more than 2 pct
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.3 pct at $4.87-3/4 per bushel (0156GMT)
• Most active corn futures up 0.1 pct at $3.75-3/4 per bushel
• Most active soy futures down about 0.1 pct at $9.10-1/2 per bushel
• Most active rice futures up about 0.1 pct at $10.40 per hundredweight

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

• South Africa’s state capture inquiry continues; Eskom chair Mabuza to testify
• Nigeria on public holiday ahead of key elections tomorrow

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

• Sime Darby Plantation considers exiting West Africa palm oil operations – sources
• Eastern Libya military forces claim control of El Feel oilfield
• Libya El Feel oilfield output still around 75,000 bpd, reports of fighting not correct – engineer
• Africa Crude – Sonangol sells all April cargoes in firm market
• Algeria’s president to visit Switzerland for medical checks – presidency statement
• After Eskom bailout, focus shifts to South Africa’s credit rating
• South African insurer Discovery could consider future acquisitions
• Nigeria’s Buhari, Atiku make final pitches for support before delayed vote
• Zimbabwe’s currency reality check puts plaster on deep wound
• South Africa’s Truworths first-half earnings drop on lower spending
• Nigeria’s Zenith Bank sees loan growth in 2019 as economy recovers
• Higher South African spending limit will not weaken policy credibility – Moody’s
• Nigeria’s electoral commission says 86.6 pct of voting cards collected
• Eskom support will weigh on South Africa’s finances – S&P Global
• Sudan security forces arrest prominent party leaders – opposition member
• AMCU plans to extend Sibanye gold strike to other South Africa miners
• Congo police executed 27 in anti-gang operation – Human Rights Watch
• Global sovereign debt to jump to $50 trillion – S&P Global
• South Africa’s Woolworths axes dividend from Australian business to ease debt
• South Africa’s Eskom bailout could reach 150 bln rand
• South Africa’s state firms, wages top risks to public finances – finmin
• Nigeria opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar would continue Niger Delat amnesty programme – policy advisor
• South Africa’s AMCU plans sympathy strike at Sibanye platinum shafts
• Uganda shilling holds steady due to sluggish demand for dollars
• Algeria military plane crash kills two – ministry
• South Africa’s AMCU union plans sympathy strikes at Amplats, Lonmin
• MTN Uganda denies it understates revenues, says it is fully tax-compliant
• South Africa’s MTN says chief of Iranian associate to retire

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