By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica

Global Markets

• Asia shares lurch lower, China flu risks mount
• Nikkei and S&P 500 futures slip on safe-haven shift
• Some point to economic risks around China flu outbreak
• Markets await BoJ meeting, Trump speech at Davos

Oil Markets

• Oil prices ease as supply risk concerns fade
• Brent down 0.5% at $64.90 per barrel (0318GMT)
• WTI down 0.2% at $58.40

Precious metals

• Gold hits 2-wk high on safe-haven demand
• Spot gold up 0.3% at $1,565.36/oz. (0147GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.4% at $1,566/oz.

Grains

• Corn falls as traders take profits after biggest daily gain in 3 mths
• Corn futures down 0.5% at $3.87-1/4 a bushel (0124GMT)
• Soybean futures little changed at $9.29-1/4 a bushel
• Wheat futures down 0.2% at $5.69-1/4 a bushel

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

• World Economic Forum in Davos; 21-24 Jan
• Nigeria’s EFCC arraigns former attorney general Adoke on alleged Malabu oil scam
• ODI’s “Increasing UK investment in Africa” event in London
• Ivory Coast’s Ouattara expected at Chatham House event in London
• South Africa state capture inquiry continues

Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today

• Portugal probes Angola leaks as Eurobic bank distances itself from dos Santos
• Oil rises as Libya declares force majeure in oilfields
• Tunisian president chooses former finance minister to be PM
• Ivory Coast clears homes around airport after child stowaway’s death
• Prince Harry meets African leaders in London
• Savannah Petroleum says Nigerian gas purchase is just the start
• ‘Let us in!’ African women entrepreneurs implore investors at UK business event
• Africa Oil – Programmes emerge, trade slow as market weighs Libya outage
• Sudanese pound falls to record low on black market
• UN says militants targeted aid worker hub in northern Nigeria
• EU agrees to consider ways to support formal Libya truce
• South African rand falls on domestic woes as stock rally ends
• South African chrome firms warn of more than 1,200 job cuts
• Egypt sovereign fund bringing in Actis to help attract investment
• Libya’s NOC declares force majeure on Sharara, El Feel oilfields – document
• Eni confirms production at Libya’s El Feel oilfield partially reduced
• Egypt’s debt ratio to beat target this year, minister says
• IMF lowers South African growth forecasts for 2020, 2021
• UN says militants targeted aid worker hub in northern Nigeria
• Son of Burkina Faso gold miner owner released after year-long captivity
• Erdogan says Somalia has invited Turkey to explore for oil in its seas – NTV
• Erdogan says Turkey not yet sent troops to Libya, only advisers – NTV
• Next OPEC+ meeting scheduled for March – RIA cites OPEC’s Barkindo
• Nigerian artist makes dark skin prosthetics to boost patients’ confidence
• As Brexit nears, UK’s Johnson pushes for deeper trade ties with Africa
• South African Airways says flights operating normally after bailout talks stall
• Egypt primary surplus at 30 bln EGP in H1 FY 19/20
• In Zimbabwe, a backyard hydroponic farm beats drought to grow veg
• Ivory Coast 2019/20 cocoa arrivals reach 1.296 mln T by Jan. 19 – exporters
• South African Airways says flights operating as normal
• EM stocks, currencies flat ahead of key central bank meetings
• Glencore, Merafe could cut up to 665 jobs at South African smelter
• Pipeline fire kills three in Lagos – Reuters witness

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