By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian stocks pulled higher by Wall St jobs rally but China caution prevails
• US job data shows unexpected strength, calms recession fears
• China Nov exports fall; import growth may signal demand recovery
• Oil near multi-month high as OPEC+ agrees on deeper output cuts

Oil Markets

• Oil prices stumble on weak China exports hangover
• Brent down 0.5% at $64.06 a barrel (0055GMT)
• WTI down 0.6% at $58.85

Precious metals

• Gold rises as prospects of US tariffs lift safe-haven demand
• Spot gold up 0.1% at $1,460.40/oz. (0158GMT)
• US gold futures flat at $1,464.90/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans rise for 5^th day on tariff waivers by China
• Soybean futures up 0.4% at $8.93-1/4 a bushel (0132GMT)
• Corn futures up 0.3% at $3.77-3/4 a bushel
• Wheat futures down 0.2% at $5.23-1/4 a bushel

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

• 9^th African, Carribean & Pacific Group of States (ACP) summit in Nairobi, Kenya; 9-10 Dec
• Ethiopia’s Abiy heads to Oslo to receive Nobel Peace Prize
• Kusi ideas festival: “The next 60 years in Africa” in Kigali; 8-9 Dec
• Nigeria’s Osinbajo due in UAE, to meet Abu Dhabi Crown Prince

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

• Sudan says it has reduced troops in Yemen to 5,000
• South African Airways rescue aimed at saving jobs – minister
• Congo authorities say ebola survivor falls ill a second time
• 4 dead after rock collapse at South African gold mine
• Egypt’s fuel subsidy bill drops by 69% year on year July – Sept – minister
• Kenya police officers among 8 killed in bus attack
• Algerian protesters march in last Friday rally before election
• Mauritanian coast guard intercepts boat carrying 180 migrants – IOM
• Nigeria files fraud charge in bid to overturn nearly $10 bln penalty
• Africa Oil – Buyers await Nigerian discounts as gasoline cracks slip
• President of South African agricultural lobby group resigns
• South Africa’s power cuts may last the weekend if rain persists
• 2 Tunisian parties reject coalition role
• Kenya arrests gold-loving Nairobi governor on suspicion of corruption
• Nigeria activist Sowore re-arrested hours after has was freed – lawyer
• Turkey says Greek expulsion of Libyan envoy is ‘outrageous’
• South African Airways to restructure under ‘business rescue’
• South Africa’s Eskom tells customers about more power cuts
• Uganda shilling holds steady against the dollar
• Greece to expel Libyan ambassador over Turkey-Libya accord
• IMF approves $247 mln reform loan to Angola
• Kenyan shilling extends gains, helped by offshore investor flows
• Sime Darby to sell Liberia plantation to local manufacturer
• Kenya public prosecutor orders arrest of Nairobi governor on suspicion of economic crimes
• South Africa’s net foreign reserves fall to $44.4 bln in Nov
• Burundi ruling party militia forcing citizens to fund 2020 vote – rights group
• Power cuts to continue in South Africa as Eskom units perform at low levels

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