By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares struggle near 8-mth highs on trade jitters
• MSCI ex-Japan steps back from 8-mth highs
• Investors focused on US-China trade talks

Oil Markets

• Oil prices edge lower after US inventories build
• Brent down 2 cents at $69.29 (0100GMT)
• WTI down 14 cents at $62.34

Precious metals

• Gold gains on tepid dollar; focus on US-China trade talks
• SPDR gold holdings fell to lowest since Dec. 17 on Wed
• Platinum eases after rising the most in over 2 years on Wed
• Spot gold up 0.2 pct at $1,292.24 per ounce (0537GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.1 pct at $1,296.60 an ounce

Grains

• Corn up for 2^nd session on US planting delays, soybeans firm
• Most active CBOT wheat futures unchanged at $4.71 per bushel (0110GMT)
• Most active corn futures up 0.3 pct at $3.63-3/4 per bushel
• Most active soy futures up 0.1 pct at $8.99-3/4 per bushel
• Most active rice futures down 0.1 pct at $10.66 per hundredweight

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

• Ethiopia to release plane crash report
• Senegal independence day
• Kenya’s Kenyatta state of the nation address
• South Africa’s Ramaphosa on the campaign trail in Diepsloot
• South Africa’s BRIC Business Council mid-term meeting
• South Africa PIC inquiry
• Ghana import duties to be cut; by 50 pct

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

• Kenya shilling edges up against the dollar
• Fire disrupts one terminal at Kenya’s main airport in Nairobi
• Ethiopia to issue first Boeing investigation report on Thursday
• Pompeo pledges support for Congo’s Tshisekedi ‘change agenda’ in first meeting
• Eastern Libya forces move west, skirmish south of Tripoli
• Dozens die in Burkina Faso as Sahel conflict spirals
• Boeing software re-activated before Ethiopian crash – sources
• Algeria’s interim rulers under pressure for more change as Bouteflika goes
• Tripoli govt declares alert after eastern Libya forces move west
• American kidnapped on Uganda safari, $500k ransom demanded
• Eastern Libya forces moving west, say Tripoli key to national dignity
• South Africa’s Eskom chairman wants debt to be $18 bln lower
• Tanzania charges Vodacom Tanzania MD with economic crimes – court
• Africa Crude – Angola market strong, some cargoes re-offered
• South Africa could give troubled Eskom more financial support
• Zimbabwe finmin criticises ‘profiteering’ price hikes as new currency falls
• Cholera vaccinations launched in post-cyclone Mozambique
• Nigeria appoints local banks for 3.4 tln naira note issue
• Congo’s public revenues from mining sector nearly double in 2018
• Egypt foreign reserves rise to $44.11 bln at end-March – cbank
• South Africa’s Nampak sells Nigeria paper packing business
• Algeria’s caretaker rulers face unrelenting demands for wider change after Bouteflika quits
• Nigeria’s Oando aims to raise fresh capital, cut debt – CEO
• Vodacom Tanzania says MD questioned by police over network use
• Brazil’s Embraer signs $2.1 bln order with Nigeria’s Air Peace – filing
• M-Pesa helps drive up Kenyans’ access to financial services – study

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