By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares recover from 3-wk lows but trade deal worries limit gains
• MSCI Asia ex-Japan +0.12%; Nikkei +0.43%
• Chinese blue-chips turn lower after early gains
• Trump expected to sign bill backing Hong Kong protesters into law

Oil Markets

• Oil falls from 2-mth high as US-China trade doubts dominate
• Brent down 0.5% at $63.67 a barrel (0159GMT)
• WTI down 0.6% at $58.24

Precious metals

• Gold steady amid mixed signals on US-China trade talks
• Spot gold flat at $1,464.99 per ounce (0106GMT)
• US gold futures up about 0.1% at $1,464.30/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans set for third weekly decline on US-China trade woes
• Wheat futures up about 0.1% at $5.12-1/4 per bushel (0154GMT)
• Corn futures down 0.1% at $3.68-1/4 per bushel
• Soy futures unchanged at $9.01 per bushel
• Rice futures unchanged at $12.25 per hundredweight

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

• Nigeria Q3 2019 GDP [fcst. 1.0% yy, prev. 1.9%]
• S&P to review South Africa credit rating
• Bank of Ghana MPC meeting; day 3, decision on Monday

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

• Algerians march again as protests step up before vote
• US warns Egypt against Russia warplanes deal, says working with Cairo on defense needs
• Nigeria’s excess crude account held $325 mln on Nov 20 – accountant general
• Bond fund exodus from South Africa well underway as credit rating teeters
• Ethiopia’s ruling coalition agrees to form single party ahead of 2020 vote
• Egypt to send its first communication satellite into orbit on Friday
• Zimbabwe scraps import controls on maize, wheat flour after drought
• EU worried about recent political developments in Zimbabwe – memo
• South African rand firms as central bank keeps rates on hold
• Africa Oil – Nigerian official selling prices published, lag asking prices
• Mobile warnings set to aid climate-vulnerable Somali nomads
• South Africa keeps rates on hold at 6.5% as inflation risks balanced
• Presidential election in chaotic Guinea-Bissau could resolve political impasse
• 2 toddlers among 73 migrants plucked from drifting dinghy off Libya
• Africa FX Week Ahead: Kenyan & Tanzanian currencies seen firm, Uganda’s stable & Zambia’s weak
• Algeria plans sharp cut in wheat purchases to curb import bill
• Unions in wage talks with distressed South African Airways
• South African Airways suspends flights to Hong Kong to curb losses
• South African union files court case to force SAA rescue
• Union says continuing wage talks with South African Airways
• Unfinished business in the birthplace of Sudan’s revolution
• De Beers Namibian diamond venture seeks tax breaks to extend operations
• ANC lawmaker arrested on corruption charge – South Africa police
• Kenyan shilling surges against the dollar
• Anglo-South African Investec reports 17% fall in H1 profit
• South Africa’s Mr Price H1 profit drops 10% as clothing unit lags
• South Africa’s Life Healthcare plans Poland exit, sees upbeat H1 2020

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