By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares edge up as earnings, geopolitics sway sentiment
• Nikkei at 1-yr high
• Tesla shares jump 21%, Microsoft gains too
• Investors ignore earnings miss from Caterpiller, Boeing
• Brexit developments still in focus

Oil Markets

• Oil pares US stock-draw gains on weak demand outlook
• Brent down 0.6% at $60.78 a barrel (0111GMT)
• WTI down 0.8% at $55.51

Precious metals

• Gold steady as investors await Brexit clarity, Fed meeting
• Spot gold unchanged at $1,491.83/oz. (0129GMT)
• US gold futures flat at $1,494.60/oz.

Grains

• Wheat up for 2^nd session on strong demand, tightening supplies
• Wheat futures up 0.2% at $5.21-3/4 per bushel (0042GMT)
• Corn futures up 0.3% at $3.88-3/4 per bushel
• Soy futures up 0.1% at $9.34-1/2 per bushel
• Rice futures down 0.1% at $11.66 per hundredweight

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

• Kenya Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) constitutional reforms report to be submitted to Kenyatta & Odinga
• Vote counting of Botswana polls start; Khama-backed UDC already crying foul
• Russia-Africa summit in Sochi; 23-24 Oct
• UN under-SG & humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock in Nigeria; 23-24 Oct
• Mozambique election results awaited; Nyusi expected to win

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

• Russia’s VEB signs deal to build 2 bln euro refinery in Morocco – report
• Leader of South Africa’s main opposition party resigns
• Protests spreade after stand-off at Ethiopian activist’s home
• Ghana loses $190 mln US grant over cancelled power contract
• South African rand weaker after lower inflation reading
• “A better life somewhere else”: Europe-bound African migrants wait in Rwanda
• African slum map exposes true scale of urban poverty
• Africa Oil – Spot activity muted as traders weigh up programmes
• Russia lands nuclear bombers in Africa as Putin host continent’s leaders
• UK’s Gemcorp, Russia’s Sberbank, VEB team up for Africa trade finance
• Peacebuilding in Somalia – another victim of climate change?
• Ethiopia sees rise in businesses doing good as economy opens up
• Russia signs deal to supply Niger with 12 attack helicopters – RIA
• South African Airways, Comair return planes to service after safety audit
• Green groups ask French court to order Total to disclose environmental steps in Uganda
• Property shares weigh on Egypt; other Gulf markets mixed
• Russia’s VTB looking to sell 10% of its Angolan unit
• Sudan upbeat on prospects for removal from US terrorism list
• Ethiopian residents in city of Adama report sounds of gunshots following protests
• Botswana votes in first real challenge to ruling party
• Green bond issuances surpasses $200 bln so far this year
• Uganda shilling weakens on surge in banks’ demand
• Stand-off at Ethiopian activist’s home amid tensions with PM – Reuters witness
• Disease fighters to mark partial victory in polio eradication battle
• Russia’s VTB, Mozambique president discuss debt restructure
• South African Airways, Comair return grounded planes to service
• Kenya shilling strengthens, helped by govt bond buyers
• South Africa consumer inflation slows to 4.1% y/y in Sept
• Burundi security forces kill 14 armed men plotting attack
• Egypt accepts invitation to meet in US over Ethiopia dam dispute

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