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

Global Markets

• Asia shares seen higher but economic woes may cap gains
• MSCI ex-Japan starts higher on Tuesday, Nikkei rises too
• Signs of peaking in coronavirus outbreak helping sentiment
• Confidence tempered by fears of global recession
• Investors eye Chinese trade data, corporate results

Oil Markets

• Oil gains as US shale production set to fall sharply
• Brent up 1.8% at $32.30 a barrel (0017GMT)
• WTI up 2.1% at $22.88

Precious metals

• Gold scales 7-yr high on rising economic worries, Fed stimulus
• Spot gold up 0.4% at $1,721/oz. (0243GMT)
• US gold futures up 1.1% at $1,781.20/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans edge up after losses on demand concerns; corn eases
• Soybeans up 0.2% at $8.55-1/2 a bushel (0120GMT)
• Corn down 0.2% at $3.31 a bushel
• Wheat down 0.1% at $5.55 a bushel

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

• IMF releases world economic outlook
• Key African countries on lockdown; subdued economic activity
• Covid-19 updates by authorities across the continent

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

• China’s Guangzhou city says 111 Africans tested positive for coronavirus
• UN agencies: 117 mln children may miss measles shots due to covid-19
• IMF approves $1 bln in emergency aid for Ghana, $442 mln for Senegal
• China denies city discriminating against ‘African brothers’
• IMF to provide debt relief for 25 countries to help them address pandemic
• Congo records third new ebola case from same infection chain – WHO
• Nigeria to extend coronavirus lockdowns for 14 more days – President Buhari
• Congo records third new ebola case from same infection chain
• Forces aligned with Tripoli govt advance along west Libyan coast
• G20 health ministers to speak next week about coronavirus – statement
• South Africa coronavirus cases rise to 2,272 deaths at 27
• Sudan imposes lockdown on capital after 10 new coronavirus cases
• Nigeria police deploy units to tackle lockdown crimewave
• Tunisia’s trade deficit falls by 12 pct in first quarter
• UN says Saudi deportations of Ethiopia migrants risks spreading coronavirus
• WHO says confident US funding will continue in covid fight
• Shell lifts force majeure on Nigeria’s Forcados crude – statement
• China in the driver’s seat amid calls for Africa debt relief
• Egypt second quarter GDP growth to exceed 1%, deputy minister says
• China says willing to study Africa debt relief jointly with international community
• Nigerians shake off coronavirus lockdown boredom with group exercise
• Sibanye-Stillwater says South Africa operations can resume limited mining
• Rain-short Zimbabwe fights taboo against farming drought-hardy grain
• Saudi Telecom extends Vodafone Egypt stake purchase process by 90 days
• Indigenous Namibians fight for ancestral land in national park

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