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