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

Global Markets

• Tech rout roils Asian shares, oil futures extend slump
• Trading in US stock options raises eyebrows
• Delay in vaccine testing hurts sentiment
• Oil futures fall sharply on worries about energy demand
• Brent down 0.5% at $39.57, WTI down 0.7% at $36.51

Oil Markets

• Oil falls further amid growing alarm over coronavirus second wave
• Brent down 0.4% at $39.62 a barrel (0241GMT)
• WTI down 0.7% at $36.52

Precious metals

• Gold flat as dollar strength counters safe-haven demand
• Spot gold little changed at $1,929.30/oz. (0038GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.3% at $1,936.80/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans ease from 2-yr top, Chinese buying limits losses
• Soybean futures down 0.4% at $9.69 a bushel (0235GMT)
• Wheat down 0.1% at $5.43-1/2 a bushel
• Corn down 0.6% at $3.59-1/2 a bushel

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

• Ethiopia’s Tigray region holds parliamentary polls; Ahmed not amused
• Ghana’s Akufo-Addo tours Bono East region, main challenger Mahama campaigning too
• AGRF virtual “Feed the Cities” summit in Kigali; 8-11 Sep
• South Africa state capture inquiry continues
• Covid-19 updates by authorities across the continent

Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today

• Ethiopia’s Tigray holding regional elections in defiance of federal govt
• Unique anatomy helps the African wild dog sustain its life on the run
• Zimbabwe bans mining in wildlife parks
• Egypt Air to resume direct flights from Thursday in boost to tourism
• South Africa retailer Clicks to remove TRESemme products from shelves over advert
• South Africa economy plunged during strict lockdown
• Angola seizes AAA assets, hotel chains linked to de Sao Vicente, TV reports
• Namibia eases coronavirus restrictions to attract tourists
• Dozens of abandoned migrants rescued in Sahara
• Nigeria doctors strike again over benefits amid coronavirus
• South Africa’s Shoprite to quit Kenya
• Bahrain’s ABC says in preliminary talks to buy Blom Bank’s Egypt business
• South Africa’s Q2 expenditure on GDP down 52.3% q/q
• South Africa economy contracts 51% q/q in Q2
• South Africa’s Aspen sells thrombosis drug business to Mylan, shares jump
• Panic buying, discount shoppers lift South Africa’s Shoprite annual earnings

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