By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji
Global Markets
- Asian stocks bounce in relief as Trump delays China tariffs
- MSCI Asia-Pacific index up 0.9%, Nikkei rises 0.6%
- Trump delays tariffs on some China imports, boosts sentiment
Oil Markets
- Oil prices drop as data shows surprise climb in US inventories
- Brent down 0.6% at $60.95 per barrel (0116GMT)
- WTI down 0.8% at $56.64 a barrel
Precious metals
- Gold holds steady as political, trade woes persist
- Spot gold steady at $1,501.73 per ounce (0251GMT)
- US gold futures down 0.1% at $1,512.10 an ounce
Grains
- Soybean prices rise on US-China trade hopes
- Most active CBOT wheat futures up 1.1% at $4.77-1/4 per bushel (0108GMT)
- Most active corn futures up 0.7% at $3.79-1/4 per bushel
- Most active soy futures up 0.1% at $8.89-1/2 per bushel
- Most active rice futures up 1.6% at $11.64 per hundredweight
Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]
- 39th SADC summit council of ministers meeting; 13-14 Aug
- Kenya public workers’ strike action
- South Africa retail sales Jun-19 [fcst. 3.2% yy, prev. 2.2%]
- South Africa PIC inquiry continues
- South Africa state capture inquiry continues [Tentative]
Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today
[Posted & commented on some headlines below at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]
- Battle of Carthage: Tunisia demolishes homes to protect ancient site
- Nigeria’s president tells cenbank to stop providing FX for food
- Africa Oil – Nigerian crude overhang slow to clear
- South Africa’s rand firms on easing trade tensions, stocks down
- Burundi Youtube child star’s death spotlights malaria epidemic
- British American Tobacco’s takeover of Twisp wins South Africa approval
- Ebola “no longer incurable” as Congo trial finds drugs boost survival
- Ethiopia grants first financial services licence to foreign firm
- Zambia court adjourns ex-minister graft case that prompted aid freeze
- South Africa’s AMCU union disappointed by Lonmin wage offer
- South Africa – Absa’s profit rise clouded by mixed results underneath
- Uganda shilling steady; traders await central bank rate decision
- Kenya shilling steady against the dollar
- South Africa – Steinhoff’s $10 bln debt “too high” – chief executive
- French troops in Mali anti-jihadist campaign mired in mud and mistrust
N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters
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