By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares inch up as cautious investors await US data, earnings
• MSCI Asia ex-Japan +0.17%; Nikkei -0.74%
• US retail sales data in focus
• Citigroup interest margin decline highlights headwinds for banks

Oil Markets

• Oil down for a second day as US Gulf of Mexico output returns
• Brent down 0.2% at $66.38 a barrel (0028GMT)
• WTI down 0.2% at $59.48

Precious metals

• Gold steady as investors eye US retail sales data
• Markets price in 25bp cut by the US Fed
• Platinum hovers near a 2-mth high
• Spot gold remains neutral in $1,404-$1,421/oz range – techs
• Spot gold up 0.1% at $1,415.19 per ounce (0521GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.2% at $1,416.60 an ounce

Grains

• Corn eases 1% as USDA tempers fears over crop condition
• Most active CBOT wheat futures down 0.6% at $5.04-1/2 per bushel (0043GMT)
• Most active corn futures down 0.9% at $4.43 per bushel
• Most active soy futures down 0.6% at $9.14-1/2 per bushel
• Most active rice futures down 0.4% at $11.84 per hundredweight

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

• Kenya trade week 2019 in Nairobi; 15-21 Jul
• South Africa state capture inquiry continues; Zuma to continue testimony
• South Africa PIC inquiry continues
• Gambia’s Barrow in UAE for 3-day state visit
• Afro-Asia fintech festival in Nairobi, Kenya; day 2
• Nigeria presidential election petitions tribunal continues

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

• Nigeria’s state oil firm awards oil-for-fuel swap deals – sources
• Africa Oil – Traders await September programmes
• Egypt revamps law curbing NGOs, critics unimpressed
• South Africa’s rand, stocks boosted by global risk-on settlement
• Egypt opens musuem commemorating Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz
• Libya’s H1 oil revenue dips to $10.2 bln
• Ethiopia premier’s aide named to lead restive Amhara region
• Ebola spread to east Congo’s Goma massively raises risk – UN
• Algeria suspends grain agency head in corruption probe – govt sources
• Abruptly appointed Zambia finance minister to review sales tax plan
• Defiant at inquiry, South Africa’s Zuma denies breaking law with business
• Zimbabwe inflation almost doubles, stirring memories of economic chaos
• With hip hop and bumper home loans, big banks target South Africa’s youth
• Zambia dollar bonds soar after president swaps finance minister
• Algeria suspends grains agency head over corruption allegations – govt sources
• Nigeria consumer inflation falls to 11.22% in June – stats office
• Treasurer of South Africa’s Eskom quits in latest high-profile departure
• Jailed Zimbabwe lawmaker facing subversion charges freed on bail
• South Africa’s Zuma denies having broken law with Gupta family
• UN calls for hundreds of millions in more aid to fight ebola
• EM debt soars to record $69.1 trln in Q1 on falling interest rates – IIF
• Uganda shilling unchanged as tax payments trims demand
• South Africa’s Zuma tells corruption inquiry there is conspiracy against him
• 2 ebola health workers killed in eastern Congo
• Zimbabwe’s annual inflation hits 10-yr high of 175.66%
• Zambia president removes finmin, appoints central bank deputy governor

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