By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji
Global Markets
- Asia stocks slip, oil near 6-mth peak as US prepares to tighten Iran sanctions
- MSCI Asia-Pacific index down 0.3 pct, Nikkei flat
- US set to end sanctions waiver for Iran oil
- Brent, US crude oil futures surge to near 6-mth high
Oil Markets
- Oil prices climb as US set to end Iran sanction waivers
- Brent, WTI hit highest since late 2018
- Asian importers hardest hit by potential end of sanction waivers
- Iran’s oil exports are tumbling
- Sanctions come amid OPEC-led cuts
- Brent up 2.3 pct at $73.62 a barrel (0647GMT)
- WTI up 2.2 pct at $65.41 a barrel
Precious metals
- Gold rebounds from near 4-mth low, oil rally lends support
- Speculators switch to net short in COMEX gold last week – CFTC
- SPDR gold holdings fall to lowest in over 6 mths
- Spot gold up 0.3 pct at $1,278.86 per ounce (0538GMT)
- US gold futures up 0.4 pct at $1,280.90 an ounce
Grains
- Wheat eases on supply pressure, soybeans up for 2nd session
- Most active CBOT wheat futures down 0.6 pct at $4.45-3/4 per bushel (0158GMT)
- Most active corn futures down 0.1 pct at $3.58 per bushel
- Most active soy futures up 0.3 pct at $8.82-3/4 per bushel
- Most active rice futures up 0.1 pct at $10.44 per hundredweight
Key African events or data releases today & later in the week
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]
- Earth Day
- Qatar emir in Rwanda for 3-day state visit; arrived 21 Apr
- Senior Chinese delegation also visiting Rwanda in tandem
- Kenya’s Kenyatta & Odinga heading to China this week to seek financing for SGR extension from Naivasha to Kisumu
- Bank of Botswana MPC meeting; 25 Apr
- Reserve Bank of Malawi MPC meeting; 25-26 Apr
- Malawi to launch pilot malaria vaccination exercise; 23 Apr
- South Africa producer inflation data for Mar-19; 25 Apr
Key African events or data releases over the holiday weekend & early a.m today
[Posted & commented on some headlines below at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]
- Sudan’s military council warns against road blocks amid continuing protests
- Attack on Mali army base kills 11 soldiers
- Egyptians vote for second day in referendum on keeping Sisi in power
- Sudanese protesters to escalate rallies, no longer recognise military council
- Nigeria’s Nembe Creek Trunk Line shut due to fire – Aiteo
- UK woman killed, 3 other people kidnapped in northern Nigeria
- Sudan central bank strengthens currency to 45 Sudanese pounds to dollar – agency
- Sudan military leadership says formation of military-civilian council being considered
- Sudna delegation to visit US to discuss lifting of terrorism listing – SUNA
- Thousands protest in Morocco demanding release of jailed activists
- Explosions in Libya capital after late night air strike
- Airport in Libya’s Tripoli re-opens, authorities say
- Heavy explosion in Libya capital after aircraft heard – witnesses
- Libya closes Tripoli’s only functioning airport after residents report air strike
- Sudan authorities arrest members of Bashir’s party – source
- Algeria court summons former PM Ouyahia in public waste probe – state TV
- Sudan’s TMC retires lieutenant generals from national intelligence and security
- Sudan arrests several top members of former ruling party – senior party official
- Algeria interim president appoints acting cenbank governor – Ennahar TV
- Sudan attorney general orders formation of committee to oversee corruption probe
- Death toll from Congo boat accident rises to 40 – interior minister
- Heavy clashes break out in southern suburbs of Libya capital – residents
- Sudan’s public prosecutor investigating Bashir on suspicion of money laundering – source
- Militiamen kill senior WHO official in attack on Congo ebola centre
- Congo Republic ships first iron ore ahead of expected production boom
- More protesters flood Sudan’s sit-in to demand civilian rule
- Trump’s call to Haftar shows US believes in Libya army role in war on terrorism – spokesman
- White House says Trump spoke to Libya commander Haftar on Monday
- IMF gives Mozambique $118 mln for Cyclone Idai rebuilding
- Exiled Congo opposition leader’s fraud conviction overturned
- Hundreds of thousands back on Algeria’s streets, demanding radical reform
- Sudan opposition to present candidates for civilian leadership on Sunday
- Media – Engie wants to quadruple its Africa business – Figaro
- Attacks on hospital in ebola zone kill Cameroon doctor
- Scorching heat and fatigue challenge Sudan protesters
- Mali struggles to disarm ethnic militia suspected of massacre
- South Africa brings forward Eskom bailout to avert default
- Angola’s Sonangol plans to downsize to focus on core business
- Presidential panel member rejects final report on South Africa land reform
- South Africa’s Eskom could have defaulted this month – finance ministry
- US, Russia say cannot support a UN call for Libya truce – diplomats
- Mali govt resigns after massacre, insecurity
- Islamic State cites 69 casaulties from Nigeria army and African troops
- US urges Sudan’s military to step aside, make way for civilian-led transition
- Expansive New Kingdom tomb unveiled in Egypt’s Luxor
- Uganda’s top court upholds ruling on extending president’s rule
- Man charged in Uganda court for kidnap, ransom of American tourist and driver
- Sudan pound strengthens on black market after Bashir’s ouster – traders
- South Africa’s rand weaker as risk demand fades before Easter, stocks up
- South Africa’s Shoprite cuts chairman Wiese’s voting influence
- Angola voids telecoms tender, orders re-run
- IMF forecasts Tanzania economic growth of 4-5 pct in medium term
- Libya interior ministry accuses France of supporting Haftar, ends cooperation
- Africa Crude – Scarcer Angola cargoes sell fast, Nigeria selling prices lower
- Angola annuls winning tender for 4th telecoms operating license – presidency
- Nigeria’s Buhari signs law to increase minimum wage – aide
- South Africa’s PIC denies considering ex-Absa executive as next CEO
- South Africa faces escalating unrest if ANC doesn’t reform, opposition says
- Egypt’s Banque du Caire eyeing sale of 20-30 pct stake of $300-400 mln
- Nigeria chief justice sacked for false asset declaration
- South Sudan willing to talk to those seeking unity govt delay – foreign minister
- Most Africa currencies seen under pressure [next week], Nigeria’s stable
- Nigeria tribunal rules suspended chief justice guilty of violating asset declaration rules
- 13 dead, 142 missing after east Congo boat accident – president
- Liberia, Guinea iron venture sign outline export deal
- Kenya – Nairobi Securities Exchange resumes trading in KCB, NBK shares
- Nigeria unlikely to change forex policy, information minister says
- Kenya’s KCB offers to buy National Bank via share swap
- Moody’s upgrades Egypt’s rating to B2, expects more economic growth
- Kenya shilling weakens against the dollar
N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters