By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares slip from 9-mth high, European PMIs in focus
• Europe markets expected to open lower
• Australian shares edge down, Nikkei loses 0.8 pct
• Euro steady, yen not far off 2019 low

Oil Markets

• Oil rises on tightening supplies; ample US output caps gains
• Inventories fell for first week in four – US DoE
• Persistent rise in US output caps gains – analyst
• Brent up 0.1 pct at $71.71 a barrel (0500GMT)
• WTI up 0.1 pct at $63.81 per barrel

Precious metals

• Gold touches 2019 low as China data lifts risk assets
• Spot gold down 0.1 pct at $1,272.33 per ounce (0147GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.2 pct at $1,274.50 an ounce

Grains

• Soybeans rebound from 4-mth low, but South American output and swine fever caps gains
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.1 pct at $4.47-1/2 per bushel (0301GMT)
• Most active corn futures unchanged at $3.58-1/4 per bushel
• Most active soy futures up 0.1 pct at $8.79-3/4 per bushel
• Most active rice futures down 0.5 pct at $10.43 per hundredweight

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

• Zimbabwe independence day
• Nigeria’s suspended chief justice Onnoghen to get verdict of misconduct trial
• South Africa PIC inquiry continues
• South Africa state capture inquiry continues

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

• Liberia, Guinea iron venture sign outline export deal
• Moody’s upgrades Egypt’s rating to B2, expects more economic growth
• Kenya shilling weakens against the dollar
• South Africa rand weaker as risk demand fades before Easter
• Tunisia reaches an agreement with IMF on fifth review of loan
• DRC – Katanga names Glencore Coal’s chief development officer for top job
• Nigeria has no intention of cutting fuel subsidy at this time – finmin
• Ivanka Trump promotes businesswomen after Ivory Coast farm visit
• Nigeria issues arrest warrants for ex-ministers over Malabu oil deal
• Sudan’s military rulers say 2 of Bashir’s brothers arrested
• Libya oil chief Sanalla says protracted conflict threatens future operations – NOC
• Angola’s crude exports to hit lowest level in 13 years in June
• South Africa’s power shortages could cut 2019 GDP growth by 1.1 ppts – cenbank
• South Sudan offers to mediate political transition in Sudan
• Donkeys deliver vaccines in Mali as diseases spike with violence
• South Africa’s Sibanye-Stillwater, AMCU seal wage deal
• South Africa’s Sibanye lost $114 mln in revenues due to strike – CEO
• South Africa retail sales suggest economy sluggish before May vote
• Egypt to hold referendum on extending Sisi’s rule on April 20-22
• South Africa’s Denel aims to end Airbus A400M work within 18 months
• Zimbabwe attracts two new investors to develop platinum mining projects
• Shells kill 7 in Tripoli neighbourhood as Haftar’s 2-wk siege rages
• Kenya’s NIC Group shareholders back merger with CBA
• Egypt alliance launches real estate finance company – statement
• Thieves pinch rifles as Kenya police watch Champions League football
• Sudan’s military council orders seizure of “suspect” funds – state news agency
• Morocco miner Managem considering raising $200 mln in bond sales
• Rebels in southern Sudan announce halt to hostilities until July 31
• Botswana shows off country’s largest-ever blue diamond
• Ebola survivors comfort sick and frightened in Congo outbreak
• Uganda shilling unchanged as importer and bank demand ebbs
• South Africa retial sales up 1.1 pct y/y in February
• Uganda says it is willing to consider asylum for Sudan’s outsted leader Bashir
• Kenya shilling under pressure from surplus money market liquidity
• South Africa consumer inflation quickens to 4.5 pct in March

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