By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares fall as weak data inflames growth fears
• MSCI Asia ex-Japan -0.3%
• China blue-chips down 1.2%

Oil Markets

• Oil prices fall amid economic slowdown despite ongoing OPEC supply cuts
• Analysts say economic slowdown starting to hit oil demand
• Saudi Arabia sees consensus on extending supply cuts
• Brent down 0.7 pct at $60.88 per barrel (0038GMT)
• WTI down 0.6 pct at $52.94 per barrel

Precious metals

• Gold holds near 3-mth peak as trade fears boost safe-haven demand
• Spot gold up 0.1 pct at $1,326.49 per ounce (0136GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.3 pct at $1,332.20 an ounce

Grains

• Corn jumps 2% as US govt confirms planting delays
• Most active CBOT wheat futures up 0.7 pct at $5.23-1/2 per bushel (0018GMT)
• Most active corn futures up 2.3 pct at $4.34 per bushel
• Most active soy futures up 1.1 pct at $8.89 per bushel
• Most active rice futures down 0.3 pct at $11.67 per hundredweight

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

• Kenya’s Kenyatta & Ethiopia’s Zewde attending Women Deliver conference in Canada
• South Africa GDP Q1-2019 [fcst. -0.8% qq saa, prev. 1.4%]
• South Africa’s ruling ANC to hold post-NEC lekgotla press conference
• 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]

• Sudan’s military scraps deal with protest groups, calls for elections within 9 mths
• Airtel Africa to file for London IPO
• Sudan forces storm protest camp, more than 35 people killed
• Senegal’s opposition calls for inquiry on BP gas deal
• Nigeria court blocks watchdog from replacing boss of oil firm Oando – document
• Spain urges more EU aid to help Morocco tackle migration
• Sudan public prosecutor to investigate violence at protest site – SUNA
• Morocco’s trade deficit widens 5 pct y/y in Jan-Apr
• UN chief condemns violence against civilians in Sudan
• Athletics – South Africa’s Semenya free to run without medication while appeal is heard – court
• South African rand firms on weaker dollar, focus on GDP numbers, stocks up
• Africa Oil – Price offerings marked down further, interest perks up
• Zambia starts electricity rationing for non-mining industry
• UK foreign minister condemns Sudan sit-in dispersal
• BP agrees to sell Egypt oil assets to Dubai’s Dragon Oil
• South Africa’s Shoprite halts deal that would cut chairman’s voting influence
• IMF urges South Africa to speed up reforms to boost growth
• ArcelorMittal’s South Africa unit to face emissions charges
• Egypt May net foreign reserves rise to $44.27 bln – central bank
• Kenya’s central banker warns about impact of illicit flows
• Zimbabwe’s mineral-backed loans may complicate talks with creditors, IMF says
• Angola, Eni make new offshore oil discovery – state news agency
• Sudan opposition says halting all contact with military council
• Egypt to auction $715 mln in 1-yr dollar t-bills
• China demand for Angola crude oil stalls as buyers hold out for lower prices
• South Africa Absa pmi drops in May
• Kenya shilling steady against the dollar
• Sudan military council says criminals, not protesters, targeted, talks to resume soon
• Sudan protest leader says to step up civil disobedience after “coup”
• South Africa’s Sasol says 2^nd unit at LCCP starts production

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