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

Global Markets

• Asia stocks falter after China data disappointment
• China data misses expectations
• Treasury yields remain high after 30-yr auction
• Spot gold steady at $1,952.41/oz.
• Brent up 0.2% at $45.04, WTI up 0.1% at $42.30

Oil Markets

• Oil prices rise, head for weekly gain amid cautious hopes for fuel demand recovery
• Brent up 0.3% at $45.10 a barrel (0043GMT)
• WTI up 0.3% at $42.36

Precious metals

• Gold prices set for biggest weekly decline since early March
• Spot gold down 0.1% at $1,952.01/oz. (0356GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.5% at $1,960.50/oz.

Grains

• Corn set for 5% weekly gain as storm damage offsets crop outlook
• Corn futures up more than 5% for the week
• Soybeans up 3.5% for the week
• Wheat flat for the week

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

• Nigeria releases Q2-20 labour statistics
• Kenya’s Kenyatta opens rehabilitated Nairobi’s Michuki park
• South Africa state capture inquiry continues
• Uganda veteran presidential contender Besigye to announce decision to run or not
• 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

• Cautious hopes for slum dwellers relocated in Egypt housing project
• Senior Muslim Brotherhood figure dies in prison in Egypt
• ‘Massive poisonous shock’: Scientists fear lasting impact from Mauritius oil spill
• Egypt’s Sisi welcomes UAE-Israel deal, halt to annexation of Palestine lands
• AstraZeneca set to start making 400 million Covid-19 vaccines for Latam early in 2021
• Nigeria says reversing US visa ban will take ‘enormous resources’
• WHO downplays danger of coronavirus entering food chain
• Two Kenya police officers charged with murder after Garissa shooting
• Ivory Coast police disperse protests against president’s third term bid
• 7 Africa countries to start testing for Covid-19 antibodies
• NOC warns of deepening power cuts in eastern Libya
• Mass arrests in Ethiopia raise spectre of repressive past
• Kenya’s KCB Group sees quarter of its loans restructured by year-end – CEO
• Nigeria lawyers fight back against police brutality, graft

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