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 2^nd 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 4^th 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