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

Global Markets

• Japan shares hit 10-wk peak, S&P 500 tests 3,000
• Nikkei rises 2% to highest since early March
• S&P 500 futures climb 1.4% to test 3,000 barrier
• China central bank says to strenghten economic policy
• Oil up as supply falls, US rigs hit all-time low

Oil Markets

• Oil climbs as suppliers stick to output cuts, coronavirus lockdowns ease
• Brent up 0.7% at $35.76 a barrel (0057GMT)
• WTI up 2.3% at $34.00

Precious metals

• Gold ticks up on Sino-US tensions over Hong Kong
• Spot gold up 0.2% at $1,732.38/oz. (0241GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.1% at $1,733.50/oz.

Grains

• Weak dollar lifts soybeans out of losing streak
• Soybean futures up 0.5% at $8.37-3/4 a bushel (0115GMT)
• Corn unchanged at $3.18 a bushel
• Wheat unchanged at $5.08-3/4 a bushel

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

• Nigeria releases Q1 capital importation stats
• South Africa briefings on 1 June covid level 3 alert move expected
• Muslim Eid celebrations; some markets on holiday
• Key African countries on lockdown or restricted; subdued economic activity
• Covid-19 updates by authorities across the continent

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

• Ivory Coast rejects report showing rising child labour in cocoa sector
• Morocco to try opposition editor accused of sexual assault
• WHO fears “silent” virus epidemic unless Africa prioritises testing
• South Africa Truworths warns on profit, UK footwear options open
• Burundi ruling party wins presidential election
• Libya stops nearly 400 migrants attempting to cross to Europe – IOM
• South Africa Airways administrators can appeal layoff ruling – court
• South Africa – AngloGold Ashanti reports more covid-19 positive cases at Mponeng mine
• Hit by coronavirus, Kenyans turn to car boot commerce
• South Africa Truworths considering all options for UK shoe chain office
• Mozambique records its first death from covid-19 – health ministry
• Ivory Coast children head back to school after virus shutdown
• South Africa Tiger Brands eyes ‘significant’ job cuts on coronavirus
• Barrick pays Tanzania initial $100 mln after gold shipments resume
• Barrick’s Tanzania gold concentrate containers clear for export
• South Africa public sector wage dispute moves to arbitration
• Nigeria economy expands 1.87% y/y in Q1 – stats office
• South Africa Tiger Brands reports lower H1 earnings, defers dividend

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