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

Global Markets

• Asian stocks head higher on China data, markets eye Fed meeting
• MSCI ex-Japan index rises, most Asian markets in green
• Central bank meetings dominate week’s agenda
• Brent down 0.1% at $39.58, WTI down 0.1% at $37.24

Oil Markets

• Oil inches lower as bleaker demand outlook weighs
• Brent down 0.1% at $39.58 a barrel (0102GMT)
• WTI down 0.1% at $37.24

Precious metals

• Gold rises on softer dollar, investors focus on Fed meet
• Spot gold up 0.3% at $1,962.78/oz. (0259GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.5% at $1,972.60/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans near 2-yr high on Chinese demand, US crop woes
• Soybean futures up 0.4% at $10.03 a bushel (0248GMT)
• Corn down 0.3% at $3.68-1/2 a bushel
• Wheat up 0.1% at $5.46-1/4 a bushel

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

• ECOWAS leaders meet on Mali in Aburi, Ghana
• South Africa’s Ramaphosa presides over meetings of councils on the economy (NEDLAC) & covid-19 response (PCC)
• South Africa business confidence Aug-20 [prev. 82.8]
• South Africa’s SARB MPC meets on rates; 15-17 Sep [fcst. 3.5%, prev. 3.5%]
• Nigeria inflation Aug-20 [fcst. 12.8% yy, prev. 12.8%]
• Covid-19 updates by authorities across the continent

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

• Canada’s First Quantum eyes operations expansion at Zambia mine
• Ivory Coast council approves President Ouattara for third term
• US slaps more election-related visa restrictions on Nigerians
• ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero declines to plead to terrorism charges
• Egypt real estate firms’ profit hit by coronavirus crisis
• Protest erupt in Ivory Coast against Ouattara’s third term bid
• Nigeria reels from twin crisis that threaten food availability
• OPEC+ Sept meeting unlikely to advocate deeper oil output cuts – sources
• Egypt to allow wedding ceremonies, cultural events in open-air venues
• Iran says it supports OPEC as long as its interests are protected
• AngloGold Ashanti says South Africa gives “unconditional” approval for asset sale to Harmony
• Ten Tanzanian school children killed in dormitory fire
• Morocco medics protest over conditions, staff shortages as pandemic surges
• Ivory Coast rains boost cocoa main crop
• Coronavirus prompts major pre-emptive Egypt wheat buying spree
• Vodafone says STC ‘substantively’ completed due diligence on Egypt unit stake sale

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