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

Global Markets

• Stocks jump as investors pin hopes on coronavirus treatment
• Asia shares rise for 2^nd straight day; China, Japan climb
• E-mini futures for S&P 500 gain 0.3%
• Coronavirus treatment, vaccine hopes support sentiment
• Oil prices rise, gold falters
• Brent down at 0.1% at $44.33, gold down 0.3% at $1,934.13

Oil Markets

• Oil prices steady as ‘double trouble’ storms bear down on Gulf of Mexico
• OPEC+ needs to offset large May-July oversupply – document
• Brent down 0.1% at $44.33 a barrel (0316GMT)
• WTI down 0.1% at $42.32

Precious metals

• Gold slips as coronavirus treatment hopes lift risk appetite
• Spot gold down 0.3% at $1,934.13/oz. (0317GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.2% at $1,942.90/oz.

Grains

• Corn rises for 2^nd session on expectations of lower US output
• Corn futures up 0.7% at $3.42-3/4 a bushel (0233GMT)
• Soybeans down marginally at $9.04-1/2 a bushel
• Wheat down 0.2% at $5.34 a bushel

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

• Nigeria Q2-2020 GDP [fcst. -11.0% yy, prev. 1.9%]
• ECOWAS’ Jonathan et al. continue Mali talks to restore Keita govt
• Kenya senate back on thorny revenue allocation formula
• Kenya’s Kenyatta cabinet reshuffle in focus ahead of Friday when ordered recess ends.
• CSIS Africa hosts webinar on “digital currency & remittances in the time of Covid-19”
• 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

• Protesters dispersed by gunfire in Libya’s capital
• Morocco rejects normalising ties with Israel – PM
• East Libya forces dismiss ceasefire push by rivals
• US secretary of state Pompeo to visit Sudan in coming days
• Sanctions in focus as West Africa mediators meet Mali coup leaders
• Sudan ready to cooperate with ICC over Darfur, says PM
• Mali’s coup leaders meet mediators seeking return to civilian rule
• Zambia president fires central bank governor in surprise move
• Congo grants new export ban waivers for copper, cobalt, tin
• South Africa seeks proposals for 2,000 MW of emergency power
• Suspected militants kill 13 in eastern Congo villages
• Gulf Arab states welcome truce announcement in Libya – UAE news agency
• Libya’s Tripoli-based govt & rival parliament take steps to end hostilities
• Nigeria will bar entry for citizens of countries that block Nigerians – minister
• South Africa’s Covid-19 infections breach 600,000 mark
• Zimbabwe politician who called for protests denied bail for third time
• US halts military cooperation with Mali as coup supporters celebrate
• South Africa mobile operator Cell C to close 128 stores, affecting 546 jobs
• Ebola outbreak in western DR Congo hits 100 cases
• US suspends military cooperation with Mali following president’s overthrow
• Tunisia imposes curfew in two southern towns to counter coronavirus
• Kenya all-female conservation ranger unit patrols amid Covid-19
• Sierra Leoneans sue govt for alleged environmental failings at diamond mine
• Sierra Leone court freezes Steinmetz’s Octea assets
• Libya’s NOC welcomes oil restart proposal, calls for military withdrawal
• South Africa’s Tiger Brands says chairman to step down
• Kenya doctors in Nairobi over pay, lack of Covid protection
• Zimbabwe politician who called for protests denied bail for third time
• Egypt’s Sisi welcomes ceasefire calls by Libya warring parties – statement
• Zimbabwe central bank keeps main lending rate at 35%
• Libya Tripoli-based govt declares ceasefire – statement
• Kenya all-female conservation ranger unit patrols amid Covid-19
• Comedian mocks Zimbabwe’s govt, despite fear of reprisal
• Japan ship deviated from shipping lane before Mauritius impact, data shows
• South Africa’s Eskom halts power cuts after recovering three coal units

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