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

Global Markets

• Asian shares lead global rout, bonds bet on rate cuts
• Markets price in risk of pandemic, deep damage to world economy
• Nikkei futures point to 1,000 point fall, matching Dow
• Bonds fly as investors wager on central bank, fiscal stimulus
• Oil leads commodities sharply lower on demand fears

Oil Markets

• Oil bounces as investors hunt bargains; virus fears cap gains
• Investors seek bargains as WTI drops near $50/bbl
• Saudi Aramco says coronavirus impact to be short-lived
• Brent up 0.5% at $56.59 a barrel (0212GMT)
• WTI up 0.4% at $51.65

Precious metals

• Gold falls from 7-yr high on profit-taking, virus fears cap losses
• Spot gold down 0.7% at $1,649.49/oz. (0132GMT)
• US gold futures down 1.5% at $1,651/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans edge higher, coronavirus fears keep prices near 3-wk low
• Soybean futures up 0.5% at $8.86-1/2 a bushel (0247GMT)
• Corn futures up 0.1% at $3.72-3/4 a bushel
• Wheat futures little changed at $8.81-3/4 a bushel

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

• South Africa’s Ramaphosa speech at National House of Traditional Leaders
• Rwanda central bank 2020 monetary policy & financial stability statement
• South Africa state capture inquiry resumes
• Germany’s President Steinmeier visits Kenya; 23-26 Feb

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

• Morocco’s Attijariwafa Bank 2019 net profit up 1.9%
• US Supreme Court open to more damages against Sudan over embassy bombings
• Senegal opens West Africa’s first big wind farm in push for renewables
• Nigeria picks Egypt Air consortium for aviation venture
• Lesotho PM seeks immunity from charge of murdering second wife
• Saudi, Egypt, Bahrain to resume Qatar post services despite dispute
• Eastern Libyan lawmakersnot to join Geneva talks
• South Africa’s rand, stocks tumble as coronavirus adds to budget worries
• Egypt raises cigarette prices after VAT amendments
• Africa Oil – Programmes for some key Nigerian grades slow to emerge
• Togo president declares landslie election win, opponent slams ‘masquerade’
• South African HIV carriers bullied before birth to accept sterilisation
• Artisanal miners attack Gemfields’ Mozambiuqe ruby unit, injuring four
• Detained Tanzanian journalist freed after pleading guilty to financial crimes
• Ghana expects Aker Energy decision on Pecan oilfield within 1-2 months
• Rival eastern Libya-based parliament suspends participation in Geneva peace talks
• Lesotho’s ruling ABC party wants PM to step down, names successor
• Egypt hails new ‘furniture city’ but many craftsmen unconvinced
• First Abu Dhabi Bank expects to finish due-diligence on Bank Audi’s Egypt business by Q2
• South Africa’s Sasol slides to 14-yr low as US project hurts profits
• Mauritius blocks some Italian visitors over coronavirus concerns – Alitalia
• Tunisia says it may suspend some Italy flights over coronavirus
• Libya govt says Haftar’s forces must withdraw from near capital
• Nigeria posts highest quarterly GDP growth in Q4 since recession
• Libyan premier denounces Haftar as “war criminal” at UN
• Egypt executes militant Ashmawy after being convicted over attacks – sources
• South Africa’s Sasol to keep coal mining business – CEO
• Lesotho PM appears in court to hear charges of murdering wife
• Nigeria’s economy grew 2.55% in Q4 – stats office
• Kenyan shilling holds steady against the dollar
• Kenya central bank to hold its rate-setting meeting on March 23
• South Africa’s Sasol half-year earnings fall 74%
• Imported camels evacuated from Libya’s capital after port comes under fire
• Togo President Gnassingbe wins re-election in landslide – preliminary results

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