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
