By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asia shares slip on Brexit snag
• Brexit delay saps rally in global shares
• Texas Instrument earnings hit chipmakers

Oil Markets

• Oil slips after US inventory build, but possible OPEC cuts support market
• Brent down 0.5% at $59.42 a barrel (0123GMT)
• WTI down 0.7% at $54.08

Precious metals

• Gold bides time as traders await clarity on Brexit
• Spot gold unchanged at $1,488.50/oz. (0125GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.3% at $1,491.30/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans rise on China demand prospects; wheat, corn firm
• Wheat futures up 0.1% at $5.18-3/4 per bushel (0038GMT)
• Corn futures up 0.1% at $3.88-1/2 per bushel
• Soy futures up 0.2% at $9.35-1/2 per bushel
• Rice futures unchanged at $11.70 per hundredweight

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

• Botswana elections today; ruling BDP faces first genuine challenge from Khama-backed UDC
• Russia-Africa summit in Sochi; 23-25 Oct
• South Africa inflation Sep-19 [fcst. 4.1% yy, prev. 4.3%]
• Mozambique election results awaited; Nyusi expected to win

Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today
[Posted & commented on some headlines below at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]

• Sudan upbeat on prospects for removal from US terrorism list
• Egypt accepts invitation to meet in US over Ethiopia dam dispute
• Ethiopia sees rise in businesses doing good as economy opens up
• Guinea protest leaders sentenced to jail for organising against president
• More than 100 elephants die in Botswana in suspected anthrax outbreak
• Morocco to issue international bond in November – finmin
• South African rand rallies 1% to 1-mth best, stocks weaker
• South Africa approves $4 bln bailout for debt-laden Eskom
• Botswana votes in first real challenge to ruling party
• South African airlines ground flights after faults found at SAA maintenance unit
• Africa Oil – Bonny Light, Bonga schedules out, IOC issues new tenders
• Ethiopia to issue 2 telecoms licenses by April, behind initial schedule
• Namibia’s economy to shrink again in 2019 – finmin
• South Africa signs deal with Tencent to boost Chinese tourists
• Russia-Zimbabwe platinum venture needs $500 mln for first phase
• War creates new uncertainty for migrants in Libya
• PM Abiy says Ethiopia ready to hold elections in 2020
• Congo spy informant dies while on trial for UN experts’ killing
• Mozambique’s Nyusi heads for big win as poll irregularities reported
• UN calls for release of ex-aide to Egypt’s Mursi, son jailed since 2013
• VW weighs expanding ride-hailing business to Ghana
• Morocco’s CPI rises 0.3% in Sept – planning agency
• Russian JV Great Dyke Investments needs $500 mln for phase 1 of Zimbabwe platinum
• Regulator accepts SAA plan to fix faults at maintenance unit
• South Africa’s Eskom takes Deloitte to court alleging improper contracts
• Kenya launches first breast milk bank to help newborns
• Armed robbers attack DRDGOLD plant in South Africa, kill security officer
• Uganda shilling unchanged as charity flows lend support
• Mozambique’s president victorious in election – observer group
• South Africa’s Standard Bank cuts value of ICBCS stake as market worsens
• South Africa’s Pick n Pay first half-earnings rise 9.5%
• South African Airways recalls some aircraft for compliance checks

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