By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares, sterling falter as Brexit, growth anxiety sap confidence
• MSCI Asia ex-Japan, Nikkei both barely lower
• Investors await central bank decisions, key data
• Sterling weaker after PM Johnson election call

Oil Markets

• Oil retreats after 3-day rally on renewed demand, economic growth concerns
• Brent down 0.5% at $61.37 a barrel (0122GMT)
• WTI down 0.5% at $55.97

Precious metals

• Gold hits 2-wk high as weak US data boosts rate-cut bets
• Spot gold down slightly at $1,501.67/oz. (0117GMT)
• US gold futures flat at $1,504.40/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans tick higher; dismal Chinese demand check gains
• Soybean futures up 0.1% at $9.34-1/2 per bushel (0203GMT)
• Corn futures up 0.1% at $3.87-1/4 per bushel
• Wheat futures up 0.2% at $5.17 a bushel

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
• SADC solidarity with Zimbabwe against sanctions summit
• Release of Botswana poll results continue
• 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]

• Egypt’s farmers tackle climate change with comedy and community
• Asia Rice – Vietnam rates hit multi-month peak on robust demand from Africa, Cuba
• Cameroon calls for freeze on Douala port contract over Bollore court case
• South Africa grounds Air Zimbabwe jetliner over debt
• Ethiopia activist calls for calm after 16 killed in clashes
• South Africa’s rand, stocks drift weaker in quiet trade
• Africa Oil – More Nigerian programmes emerge, point to lower volumes
• Kenya’s Safaricom names Ndegwa as chief after 3-mth search
• Market upbeat as Angola central bank lifts reserve ratio, drops FX fix
• Africa FX – Kenyan shilling to strengthen, Nigeria naira to be stable
• Egyptian pound strongest in more than two and a half years
• Thousands in Guinea march against president’s possible third term bid
• Nigerian state oil firm signs memorandum to work with Russia’s Lukoil
• Libyan schools shut as teachers on swollen payroll demand better wages
• Egypt, Ethiopia agree to resume technical assistance discussion on Grand Renaissance
• 40 of 46 grounded South African planes back in air
• Eni buys 70% of Edison stake in Egypt’s Habi offshore gas concession – EGAS official
• South African opposition in crisis as ex-leader quits as MP
• Hundreds gather outside house of Ethiopian activist after deadly day of protests
• Ugandan shilling unchanged, expected to ease due to importer demand
• Zimbabwe to cut power to mines, others over $77 mln in unpaid bills
• Kenyan shilling strengthens on offshore investor inflows, tight liquidity
• South Africa’s Clicks annual earnings rise on solid retail sales
• Russia lands nuclear bombers in Africa as Putin hosts continent’s leaders
• Russia signs deal to supply Nigeria with 12 attack helicopters – RIA
• Kenya’s Mombasa port to upgrade four berths at 20 bln shillings

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