By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Stocks rise on cautious Brexit deal hopes, oil extends losses
• Equities eke out gains
• Sentiment still fragile due to US-China trade war
• Policymakers struggle to reduce risks to global economy

Oil Markets

• Oil prices extend losses as weak China data compounds US-China trade deal doubts
• Brent down 0.5% at $59.1 per barrel (0142GMT)
• WTI down 0.4% at $53.38

Precious metals

• Gold steady ahead of crucial Brexit talks
• Spot gold flat at $1,492.83/oz. (0105GMT)
• US gold futures a shade lower at $1,496.90

Grains

• Soybeans slip; potential crop loss in North America caps fall
• Wheat futures down 0.4% at $5.08-3/4 per bushel (0004GMT)
• Corn futures down 0.2% at $3.97 per bushel
• Soy futures down 0.3% at $9.37-1/2 per bushel
• Rice futures unchanged at $11.99 per hundredweight

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

• Mozambique general elections today
• Nigeria inflation Sep-19 [fcst. 11.1% yy, prev. 11.0%]

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

• Mozambique to vote in tense, high-stakes election
• Nigeria police rescue 67 from “inhuman” conditions at Islamic “school”
• Young Africans facing poor job prospects as education worsens – report
• Air strike in Libyan capital Tripoli kills 3 young sisters
• Hailing “new revolution”, political outsider Saied elected Tunisia’s president
• At least 2 dead in Guinea protests against change to constitution
• Official results show Kais Saied won Tunisian presidential election
• South Africa’s rand retreats from 3-wk high, stocks down
• At least 16 people killed by armed men in Ethiopia – police
• Angola could revoke more licences in bank cleanup – Cenbank chief
• New Tunisian leader rode wave of youth excitement to presidency
• Africa Oil – Freight throttles market as buyers hold back
• Zimbabwe aims to more than triple diamond production by 2023
• Police in Guinea crack down on protest against constitutional change
• Zimbabwe targets 11 million carats of diamonds by 2023 – mines minister
• Tunisia’s Nabil Karoui concedes election defeat to Kais Saied
• Sudan govt and rebels meet for peace talks in Juba
• Libyan conflict leaves rubbish mounds smouldering in Tripoli’s streets
• Secret abortions spike in Nigeria with Boko Haram chaos
• French national killed in Tunisia knife attack – interior ministry
• Saied supporters hail revival of Tunisia’s 2011 revolution after poll
• South African Airways in talks with potential partners
• Uganda shilling weakens on uptick in dollar appetite
• South Africa’s Ramaphosa says nation working to attract private investment
• EDF Renewables commissions 130MWp in solar energy capacity in Egypt

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