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

Global Markets

• Asia stocks wary as coronavirus threatens economic reopening
• Asia ex-Japan eases off 4-mth top, S&P 500 futures steady
• Deaths from covid-19 reached half a million on Sunday
• Dollar, bonds supported on safe haven appeal

Oil Markets

• Oil falls in second straight session as virus cools demand
• Brent down 1.6% at $40.36 a barrel (2350GMT)
• WTI down 1.6% at $37.86

Precious metals

• Gold climbs as fears over surging virus cases boost demand
• Spot gold up 0.1% at $1,772.61/oz. (0015GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.3% at $1,785.90/oz.

Grains

• Corn rebounds from 6-wk low, bearish fundamentals cap gains
• Corn futures up 0.4% at $3.18-1/4 a bushel (0218GMT)
• Soybeans up 0.2% at $16.73-1/2 a bushel
• Wheat up 0.2% at $4.76-3/4 a bushel

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

• South Africa state capture inquiry resumes
• Electoral Commission Ghana press briefing on new voters register
• Key African countries on lockdown or restricted; subdued economic activity
• Covid-19 updates by authorities across the continent

Key African events or data releases over the weekend & early a.m today

• Guinea-Bissau president sacks five ministers
• Sudan extends coronaviru lockdown in Khartoum state
• Sudan says it will rein in state firms, including those owned by security
• Egypt court jails belly dancer for ‘debauchery’ in social media crackdown
• Malawi’s Chakwera sworn in as president after re-run election
• Congo PM threatens govt resignation over minister’s arrest
• Sudan extends closure of Khartoum international airport by two weeks
• Congo’s justice minister released hours after arrest
• Egypt, Ethiopia & Sudan hope for Nile dam deal in weeks
• More than 90% of issues in Nile dam negotiations resolved, AU chief says
• Facing defeat, Malawi president says election re-run had irregularities
• Insurgents stage ‘very violent’ attack close to gas projects in Mozambique
• Ghana’s President Akufo-Addo choses by ruling party for poll rematch against Mahama
• Guinea-Bissau braces for rise in coronavirus cases, enlists Cuban medical help
• Tunisia reopens borders to tourists after halting spread of coronavirus
• Sudan, Egypt say Ethiopia will not fill Nile dam without reaching deal
• Morocco rejects Amnesty’s allegations on spying on journalist
• IMF board approves $5.2 bln, 12-mth loan program for Egypt
• Zimbabwe suspends stock exchange, mobile payments over ‘economic sabotage’
• Ivory Coast’s Air Cote d’Ivoire says propped up by $24 mln from govt
• East Congo ebola outbreak no longer an international emergency, says WHO
• South Afriac to reopen casinos and cinemas despite covid-19 spread
• UK Export Finance set to back Total’s $20 bln Mozambique LNG project – source
• MTN to challenge Ghana regulator’s move to reduce market dominance
• Ivory Coast flash floods kill at least seven, more rain expected
• Congo president wins approval for state mining company nominees
• South Africa’s Sasol to sell stakes in Mozambique pipeline, power plant – sources
• Nigeria needs to deepen reforms to boost growth, revenues – World Bank
• Ethiopia receives 12 bids for two telco licences – regulator
• Libya’a NOC says Russia mercenaries entered oilfield, with output blocked
• Congo aims to launch state cobalt monopoly in two mths, mines minister says
• Kenya Airways estimates coronavirus revenue loss at $100 mln – CEO
• Kenya central banker sees silver lining in economic gloom
• Uganda – Hit the brakes on reform, say Kampala’s transport workers
• Kenya cbank says current account gap could be narrower than forecast

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