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

Global Markets

• Asia shares jump, yields rise as Fed readies corp bond buying
• Fed announces start of corporate bond buying programme
• Asia equities rally as mood improves
• Treasury yields edge higher

Oil Markets

• Oil prices ease as coronavirus infections rise
• Brent down 0.4% at $39.58 a barrel (0027GMT)
• WTI down 0.7% at $36.88

Precious metals

• Gold gains after Fed ramps up support measures
• Spot gold up 0.1% at $1,726.04/oz. (0504GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.4% at $1,733.90/oz.

Grains

• Chicago corn jumps over 1% as warm weather hits US crop; wheat gains
• Corn futures up 1.1% at $3.32-3/4 a bushel (0339GMT)
• Wheat up 0.5% at $5.07 a bushel
• Soybeans up 0.4% at $8.72 a bushel

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

• Nigeria Senate investigative public hearing on the power sector
• South Africa opposition EFF virtual youth rally; Malema to speak
• Africa innovation & investment forum 2020; 15-19 Jun
• Nigeria resident doctors go on strike over PPEs
• Kenya’s Kenyatta speaks at Atlantic Council on US-Africa trade
• Uganda opposition coalition protest against Museveni
• World Bank discusses Africa’s fiscal policy space to address covid-19 economic impacts; Okonjo-Iweala key speaker
• Nigeria inflation May-20 [fcst. 12.4% yy, prev. 12.3%]
• 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

• Cape Verde can hold businessman who is close to Maduro for up to 40 days pending extradition
• Botswana lifts coronavirus lockdown in capital city
• Mali says 24 soldiers killed in ambush on Sunday
• France wants talks about ‘aggressive’ Turkish role in Libya
• Nigeria doctors strike for better benefits during coronavirus crisis
• Senegal says two soldiers killed after vehicle hit anti-tank mine
• South Africa rand drops as virus fears hit riskier assets
• Sudan finds mass grave of conscripts killed during Bashir’s rule
• South Africa’s Telkom flags 70% fall in annual earnings
• Africa Oil – Angolan programmes awaited amid glut
• Kinross Gold resolves Mauritania disputes and secures expansion
• Gunmen ambush Mali army convoy, soldiers killed – residents
• Turkey eyes Libya bases for lasting military foothold – source
• Up to 17 infected, 11 dead in new ebola outbreak in Congo
• For black people in France, George Floyd protests are personal
• Nigeria sells 162.6 bln naira of [sukuk] bonds – debt office
• Botswana investigates 154 elephant deaths, rules out poaching
• Turkey says no issues with Russia on Libya after talks delayed
• Siege of Libya’s Sirte behind Turkey-Russia talks delay – Turkish official
• Sudan war crimes charges are untrue, suspect says
• IMF cuts Senegal’s 2020 GDP forecast to 1.1%
• UN rights expert asks to give evidence in South Africa air pollution case
• UN rights body to examine US racism, police brutality – statement
• Kenya shilling holds steady, remittances and horticulture exports help
• Credit from Safaricom’s farming app sows seeds of change in Kenya
• Congo fashion designer goes virtual as virus hits runway shows
• South Africa Discovery warns of up to 90% profit plunge
• Congo’s gold being smuggled out by the tonne, UN report finds
• Tunisia PM decides against relying on more external debt, will freeze salaries

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