By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica
Global Markets
- Asia stocks rise as upbeat factory data lifts confidence
- US ISM data boosts Asian shares
- Gold near record high as virus risks remain
- Oil gives up gains on expected output increase
- Brent down 0.6% at $43.89, WTI down 0.6% at $40.76
Oil Markets
- Oil prices drop on fuel demand worries as coronavirus flares up
- Brent down 0.6% at $43.88 a barrel (0132GMT)
- WTI down 0.5% at $40.79
Precious metals
- Gold steadies near record high as virus concerns persist
- Spot gold steady at $1,976.36/oz. (0231GMT)
- US gold futures up 0.3% at $1,993
Grains
- Soybeans ease on US crop condition, wheat falls for 2nd session
- Soybean futures down 0.5% at $8.92 a bushel (0235GMT)
- Corn down 0.6% at $3.26-1/2 a bushel
- Wheat down 0.5% at $5.18-1/4 a bushel
Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handles @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica]
- Ghana’s ruling NPP press briefing
- Kenya Senate special sitting on controversial county revenue allocation amendments
- Nigeria exit school classes resume
- South Africa state capture inquiry continues
- 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
- African activists fight violence against women one law at a time
- South Africa’s Eskom seeks $221 mln damages over coal deal
- South Africa corruption watchdog probes Covid-19 tenders
- South Africans go online to document police brutality
- Three Gambia ministers test positive for Covid-19
- South Africa’s Shoprite lifted by sales jump and potential Nigeria exit
- Ivory Coast weather good for main cocoa crop, more sun needed
- Russia to deliver Covid-19 drug to South Africa, Latam countries – wealth fund
- South Africa’s rand leads EMEA FX losses ahead of data-heavy week
- South Africa’s Shoprite sees lower annual earnings
- Cameroon tomato farmers count losses to wild weather and lockdown
N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters
