By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares decline as US jobs data clouds global outlook
• Asian ex-Japan shares almost flat
• Payrolls shockingly low though many see weakness as temporary
• US bond yields at 2-mth lows
• China lending, money supply data miss forecasts

Oil Markets

• Oil rises as OPEC’s output cuts set to continue, US drilling activity slumps
• Saudi’s Falih says too early to change OPEC+ policy in April
• US drilling activity falls for 3^rd week
• Brent down 0.3 pct at $65.91 per barrel (0016GMT)
• WTI down 0.3 pct at $56.26 per barrel

Precious metals

• Gold inches lower as firm dollar offsets falling equities
• Spot gold down 0.1 pct at $1,296.73 per ounce
• US gold futures down 0.1 pct at $1,298.10 an ounce

Grains

• Soybeans rebound on Chinese buying, wheat up for 2^nd day
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.3 pct at $4.41 per bushel (0115GMT)
• Most active corn futures up 0.8 pct at $3.67 per bushel
• Most active soy futures up 0.3 pct at $8.98-1/4 per bushel
• Most active rice futures down about 0.1 pct at $10.82 per hundredweight

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

• South Africa’s state capture inquiry resumes
• South Africa’s Ramaphosa campaign walk in Park station, Johannesburg
• Misconduct trial of Nigeria’s suspended chief justice Onnoghen to resume
• South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation inquiry resumes

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

• Ailing president returns to Algeria as mass protests swirl
• Spokesman of leading Rwanda opposition politician found dead
• Ethiopia airlines flight to Nairobi, Kenya crashes, killing 157
• Libya’s El Sharara oilfield to reach 300,000 bpd in 2 weeks – field engineer
• Governor election counting halted in southern Nigeria oil state
• Morocco takes back citizens from northern Syria – US-backed SDF
• Sudan opposition leader’s daughter jailed over protests – party
• Egypt’s Canal Sugar inks financing deal worth $169 mln
• US to send teams to assist in Ethiopia Airlines crash
• Egypt’s Sisi appoints close military ally as transport minister
• Algeria’s army chief of staff says ties between the army and the people are strong – TV
• Egypt’s urban inflation jumps to 14.4 pct in Feb
• Egypt’s core inflation rises to 9.2 pct y/y in Feb – cbank
• Ethiopia flight “had unstable vertical speed” – flight tracking site
• Death toll from Malawi flooding rises to 28, almost 227,000 people affected
• Malaysia deports 6 Egyptians despite concerns over torture, rights abuses
• Tunisia’s health minister resigns after 11 babies die in hospital
• Libya’s Tripoli airport reopens after drone alert
• Turnout low in vote for powerful Nigeria state governors
• Sudan women protesters sentenced to 20 lashes, month in jail
• Congo’s Mai Mai militiamen attack ebola treatment centre
• Algeria orders early university holiday as students spur protests
• Rwanda aims to sell stake in cement firm Cimerwa this month
• Libyans fear shutdown as eastern commander eyes capital
• On international women’s day, Sudan’s Bashir orders release of female detainees
• Algeria detains 195 people during protests – state TV
• Some 50 migrants wounded by clash inside detention centre in Libya – UN
• Algeria state news agency says protesters demand “regime change”
• Gunmen kill ranger in Congo’s Virunga park after reopening
• Top performer Kenya’s bond market suffers worst day since November
• Algeria army magazine says the army and people belong to one country – APS
• Africa Crude – Sellers of Angolan trim some offers
• Congo’s ex-leader Kabila’s party to pick prime minister – sources
• South Africa bond demand at 6-mth high despite c.bank plan
• Malawi floods kill 23, knock out power and water supplies
• Hundreds protest against Sudan govt after Friday prayers
• Tanzania orders cleanup at Acacia gold mine, threatens closure
• Kenya shilling firm against the dollar
• Without vaccine, hundreds of children die in Madagasacar measeles outbreak
• Tanzania gives Acacia Mining to March 30 to stop water pollution at one of its mines or face shutdown

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