By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares up as ‘phase one’ trade deal boosts confidence
• MSCI Asia ex-Japan +0.27%
• Chinese, Japanese shares fall on profit taking, investor caution
• Investors welcome trade deal but await details

Oil Markets

• Oil prices fall but hold near 3-mth high on trade deal agreement
• Brent down 0.4% at $64.99 a barrel (0101GMT)
• WTI down 0.4% at $59.84

Precious metals

• Gold prices fall as easing trade worries lead to riskier bets
• Spot gold down 0.1% at $1,473.88/oz. (0050GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.2% at $1,478.60/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans jump 1% to hit 1-mth high on US-China trade deal
• Soybean futures up 0.9% at $9.15-3/4 a bushel (0127GMT)
• Corn futures up 1.3% at $3.85-3/4 a bushel
• Wheat futures up 0.7% at $5.36-1/2 a bushel

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

• Anti-Barrow protests in The Gambia
• Public worker slowdown protest in Liberia over pay
• South Africa day of reconciliation; Ramaphosa speech in KZN
• South Africa’s EFF 2^nd national people’s assembly; 13-16 Dec
• Ghana district assembly & unit committee elections (17 Dec) prep
• Nigeria inflation Nov-19 [fcst. 11.9% yy, prev. 11.6%]

Key African events or data releases over the weekend & early a.m today

• Militants kill 22 in eastern Congo despite claims of security progress
• Turkey to sign off on military pledge to Libya
• Zimbabwe vice president’s wife arrested for suspected fraud, money laundering
• Egypt central bank expands financing for distressed tourism companies
• Botswana bans hunters after killing of research elephant
• Namibia rhino poaching drops in 2019, after sharp rise last year
• Former Sudan president Bashir sentenced to 2 years in detention for corruption
• Botswana loss-making retailer Choppies to exit 3 more African countries
• Armed group claims killing 4 humanitarian hostages in Nigeria, aid organization says
• Morocco ex-diplomat to UN accused of visa fraud over workers
• Ethiopia to get $3 bln loan from World Bank
• Ex-premier elected Algerian president; thousands march in protest
• Algerian president-elect says to look at new constitution
• Africa Crude – Heavy sweet West African grades sell as VLSFO demand seen high
• Kenyan scientist builds with bottles to beat plastic pollution
• Renewables hit 90% of Kenyan power with new 50 MW solar plant
• Russia urges talks in Libya after commander Haftar calls on forces to advance – Ifax
• South Africa asks industry for options to end power crisis
• Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa says no going back to dollarisation
• Pirates release 3 oil tanker crew kidnapped off Togo
• First Quantum launches arbitration against Zambian state miner
• Ebola spreads in Congo after militants attack treatment camp – WHO
• Zambian holding company launches action involving First Quantum
• Nigeria LNG signs 20-yr gas supply agreement for Train 7
• Algeria declares former PM Tebboune winner of presidential election
• Kenya’s competition regulator approves Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya merger
• South Africa’s Northam agrees Booysendal platinum mine wage deal
• Mass protests expected as Algerian media call election a success
• Prime Minister Abiy says Ethiopia to get $3 bln funding from World Bank
• South Africa records smaller FDI inflows in 3^rd quarter

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