By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asia shares edge up to 8-mth peak, oil settles
• MSCI Asia-Pacific hits 8-mth high as Chinese shares rise
• Europe expected to begin cautiously
• Brexit summit, ECB meeting, earnings season in focus

Oil Markets

• Oil near 5-mth highs amid Libya violence, OPEC cuts, US sanctions
• US sanctions against Iran, Venezuela further tighten market
• Libya fighting triggers concerns over its oil exports
• Slowing economy could weigh on fuel consumption later this year
• Brent at $70.99 per barrel (0700GMT), easing from $71.34 (Nov 2018 high) earlier
• WTI at $64.42 per barrel, easing $64.77 (Nov 2018 high) earlier

Precious metals

• Gold prices gain as dollar loses ground after weak US data
• SPDR gold holdings drop for 6^th straight session
• Platinum hovers below 10-mth peak hit on Monday
• Spot gold up 0.2 pct at $1,299.34 per ounce (0534GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.1 pct at $1,303.20 an ounce

Grains

• Wheat drops to 1-wk low on US crop condition, corn eases for 3^rd day
• Most active CBOT wheat futres down 1 pct at $4.60-3/4 per bushel (0113GMT)
• Most active corn futures down 0.1 pct at $3.59-3/4 per bushel
• Most active soy futures largely unchanged at $8.99 per bushel
• Most active rice futures down 0.5 pct at $10.37 per hundredweight

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

• South Africa PIC inquiry continues
• South Africa’s Ramaphosa to be briefed by PRASA at its offices in Cape Town
• Bank of Namibia MPC decision [fcst. 6.75%, prev. 6.75%]
• EABC CEO roundtable in Arusha, Tanzania
• IMF world economic update
• World Bank Kenya economic update
• Signing of IEC electoral code of conduct by South Africa’s political parties
• Egypt’s Sisi in US; to meet Trump today

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

• Sudan security forces in fresh attempt to clear protesters outside defence ministry
• South Africa’s carbon tax could cost Amplats up to $21 mln – CEO
• South Africa’s rand on the front foot in early trade
• Kenya central bank says to hold rate-setting meeting on May 27
• Heavy gunfire heard at protest in Sudan’s capital – live TV
• Libya’s UN-backed leader receives phone call from Italy’s Conte
• US tourist, guide kidnapped in Uganda freed after ‘settlement’ – tour firm
• Trump, Egypt’s Sisi to discuss security during White House visit
• Drought to drag down Kenya’s 2019 economic growth, World Bank says
• Battle rages for Libya’s capital, airport bombed
• Sudan army blocks attempt to disperse protesters – witnesses
• Libya’s UN-backed PM in Tripoli receives phone call from Macron
• Eastern Libya force confirms air strike in Tripoli’s only functioning airport
• Nigeria seeks private investors for aircraft leasing venture
• UN envoy to Libya condems attack on Tripoli’s Mitiga airport
• Sudan’s defence minister says security forces won’t permit attempts to divide them – SUNA
• Egypt strategic rice reserves at six months after latest purchase – ministry
• Africa Crude – Angolan clearing for May as Nigerian still struggles
• Eastern Libya forces lose control of former Tripoli international airport – witnesses
• Rwanda rebel group spokesman faces terrorism-related charges in Kigali court
• World Bank cuts Zambia’s 2019 GDP growth forecast
• 7 people killed over 2 days during protests in Sudan – interior minister
• Sub-Saharan Africa economic growth recovery to take longer – World Bank
• Fighting in south of Libya capital kills 25, wounds 80 – health ministry
• Egypt unveils 2,500 yr-old mummy at forgotten cemetery
• South Africa court says Mozambique ex-finance minister can be extradited to US – lawyer
• UN repeats calls for Libya truce to allow evacuations
• UN tells Libya’s Serraj it is staying in Tripoli at critical time
• France had no warning of Haftar’s advance on Tripoli, Libya – French diplomatic source
• EU’s Mogherini calls for humanitarian truce in Libya
• Zimabwe to start paying white farmers compensation in April

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