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

Global Markets

• Asian stocks slip as Trump warns of horrors to come
• Trump warns of ‘horrific’ days ahead
• Asian stocks slip, bonds rally, dollar firms
• US jobless claims due at 1230 GMT, seen hitting fresh record

Oil Markets

• Oil surges as Trump talks up hopes for truce in Saudi-Russia price war
• Brent up 4% at $25.74 a barrel (0118GMT)
• WTI up 3.7% at $21.06

Precious metals

• Gold slips as dollar holds firm; US jobs data awaited
• Spot gold down 0.4% at $1,584.50/oz. (0312GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.4% at $1,597.20/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans ease for 2^nd session as coronavirus fears hit markets
• Soybeans down 0.4% at $8.59-3/4 a bushel (0058GMT)
• Wheat up 0.2% at $5.51-1/2 a bushel
• Corn up 0.3% at $3.35-3/4 a bushel

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

• Key African countries on lockdown; subdued economic activity
• Covid-19 updates by health authorities across the continent

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

• Egypt’s health sector races to scale up coronavirus readiness
• IMF has strong resources to deal with virus crisis, working to identify more – officials
• South Africa needs ‘hundreds of thousands’ of virus tests – health minister
• Africa seeks IMF, World Bank, EU backing on debt relief
• Fidelity Bank cuts profit target as coronavirus hits Nigeria
• Africa Oil – Sell tender awarded, Angolan diffs deeply negative
• South Africa’s Eskom sends force majeure notices to wind farms
• Tunisia banks to defer loan payments, suspend dividend distribution
• Rand roiled by rising South Africa growth fears
• Nigeria’s Fidelity Bank prepares eurobond coupon before due date – executive
• South Africa insurer Discovery, Vodacom set up online virus consultation service
• South Africa’s 2019/20 tax revenue at 1.4 trillion rand, short of target
• Nigeria banks limit debit card withdrawals abroad
• Somali doctor, veteran of many battles, girds for war with coronavirus
• World Bank approves delayed $500 million education loan to Tanzania
• South Africa says ports remain open despite lockdown
• Coronavirus seen as trigger for mobile money growth in West Africa
• Nigeria stocks hit new 8-yr low as coronavirus lockdown enters day two
• Uganda doctors say anti-coronavirus measures could cause deaths
• Uganda shilling holds steady due to reduced market activity
• South Africa’s Eskom could buy less power from wind farms during lockdown
• Kenya shilling under pressure from the dollar
• Fitch, Moody’s downgrade South Africa banks to junk
• Africa wants IMF, World Bank & EU support on debt relief – UNECA
• South Africa Absa PMI contracts for 14^th straight month
• Glencore’s chrome joint venture in South Africa with Merafe declares force majeure
• Ethiopia postpones August election due to coronavirus
• US air strike killed civilians in Somalia, Amnesty International says
• South Africa should seek IMF funding to deal with pandemic – IIF

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