By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji
Global Markets
- Asia shares rise on trade war hopes, firm US data; safe havens sold
- MSCI Asia-Pacific index up 0.4%, Nikkei gains 0.6%
- US jobs report in focus after improvements in risk sentiment
- Safe-haven govt bonds, yen on the defensive
Oil Markets
- Oil prices edge higher, set for weekly gain amid trade optimism
- Brent up 3 cents at $60.98 a barrel (0144GMT)
- WTI up 8 cents at $56.38
Precious metals
- Gold eases as trade optimism, firm US data lift risk appetite
- Spot gold down 0.1% at $1,516.90/oz. (0104GMT)
- US gold futures little changed at $1,526/oz.
Grains
- Soybeans edge higher, set to finish week lower on ample global stocks
- Soybean futures down more than 0.5% for the week
- Corn futures down nearly 3% for the week
- Wheat futures little changed for the week
Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]
- World Economic Forum Africa 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa; 4-6 Sep
- 2019 African Green Revolution Forum in Accra, Ghana; 3-6 Sep
- South Africa FX reserves Aug-19 [prev. $49.4B]
- 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]
- Kidnapped South African mine worker freed in eastern Congo
- Sudan forms first cabinet since fall of Bashir – PM
- Kenya evicts forest dwellers to save country’s ‘water tower’
- South Africa tries to contain “Afrophobia” fallout as riots upstage summit
- South Africa’s Ramaphosa says at least 10 killed in riots
- Africa Oil – Buyers await easing of Angolan offers
- South Africa’s rand falls after poor current account data, stocks rise
- Air Tanzania suspends flights to Johannesburg due to ongoing violence
- South Africa’s Capitec bank forecasts up to 21% jump in H1 earnings
- Nigeria to recall its top diplomat to South Africa – information minister
- South Africa current account deficit widens to 4% of GDP in Q2
- South Africa’s Sanlam could invest in Egypt within 1 year – CEO
- South Africa’s Impala Platinum swings to profit, delays closure of shafts
- Tanzania seizes ivory tusks equivalent to 117 elephants killed
- CEOs say South Africa is years from meaningful economic recovery
- Kenya shilling loses ground due to energy, manufacturing sector demand
- Tunisia inflation rate rises to 6.7% in August
- South Africa embassy closed in Nigeria after threats – minister
- South Africa – Cash-strapped arms maker Denel eyes $2 bln in export deals
- Nigeria uses tax credits for private firms to boost infrastructure
- Australia’s Orion wins OK to develop $263 mln South Africa zinc-copper project
- South African bank FirstRand reports 5% rise in FY profit
- South Africa’s Impala Platinum swings into full-year profit
N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters
