By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asia looks on bright side of Brexit, trade talks
• Asian trade quiet with Tokyo off, no major data due
• Trump, Kudlow sound upbeat on China trade talks
• Pound holds firm as more Brexit votes loom
• Trudeau’s Liberals to form minority govt after election

Oil Markets

• Oil prices edge up on US-China trade optimism, but demand concerns cap
• Brent up 0.2% at $59.10 a barrel (0027GMT)
• WTI up 0.3% at $53.49

Precious metals

• Gold eases as trade-deal hopes lift risk mood
• Spot gold down 0.1% at $1,482.41/oz. (0038GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.2% at $1,485.80/oz.

Grains

• Corn falls for 3^rd session on US harvest progress; wheat eases
• Wheat futures down 0.2% at $5.22-1/2 per bushel (0043GMT)
• Corn futures down 0.3% at $3.86 per bushel
• Soy futures nearly unchanged at $9.33 per bushel
• Rice futures nearly unchanged at $11.80 per hundredweight

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

• Russia-Africa summit in Sochi; 23-25 Oct [Nigeria’s Buhari already in Sochi]
• Kenya’s Kenyatta & Ivory Coast’s Ouattara in Japan for Emperor Naruhito’s coronation; both & others to head to Sochi thereafter
• South Africa’s Mabuza to apprise parliament on AfCFTA progress

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

• South Africa’s Pick n Pay posts 9.5% rise in first-half earnings
• Nigerian anti-graft office charges 2 Britons in connnection with failed gas deal
• South Africa’s Eskom takes Deloitte to court alleging improper contracts
• Uganda says its economy 11% larger after rebasing
• Opposition calls for Mozambicans to reject election count as Nyusi takes lead
• Tens of thousands rally against former ruling party in Sudan
• EU wheat dips from 3-mth high ahead of Algeria tender
• South Africa medium-term budget confirmed for Oct. 30
• South Africa’s rand steady in wait-and-see trade
• Africa Oil – Diffs steady as Nigerian programmes emerge
• Zimbabwe says 55 elephants die from starvation after drought
• South Africa will soon announce CEO for crisis-hit utility Eskom – Ramaphosa
• Botswana faces first close election contest since independence
• Putin steps up drive for clout in Africa with broadside against West
• British-born Nigerian actor hopes black skinhead film will “heal” pain
• Egypt exported 172.8 bln cubic feet of gas from Idku in 2018/19 – EGAS
• Sudan reble leader says govt agreed to open access for aid
• BCP says Angola’s Sonangol reaffirms intent to remain shareholder, shares jump
• Morocco’s Maroc Telecom reports flat Q3 profit
• Rioting migrants torch cars, injure policeman at Maltese holding centre

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