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

Global Markets

• Asian shares up as US, China trade negotiators talk
• US, China trade negotiators hold call
• MSCI Asia ex-Japan adds 1.1%
• Earnings, lockdown easing hopes boost shares

Oil Markets

• Oil gains on hopes that easing of coronaviru curbs will trigger demand boost
• Brent up 1.5% at $29.33 a barrel (0121GMT)
• WTI up 1.5% at $24.03

Precious metals

• Gold hovers near 2-wk high ahead of US jobs data
• Spot gold steady at $1,715.23/oz. (0315GMT)
• US gold futures up 0.1% at $1,727/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans hit 1-wk high, but set to post weekly loss
• Soybeans down nearly 0.5% for the week
• Corn up nearly 0.5% for the week
• Wheat up 1% for the week

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

• Nigeria releases 2019 consumption expenditure report
• South Africa FX reserves Apr-20 [prev. $52.4B]
• South Africa & Nigeria reduce fuel prices [SA from 6 May, Nigeria marketers’ compliance awaited]
• Nigeria’s Buhari chief of staff pick awaited
• Key African countries on lockdown or restricted; subdued economic activity
• Covid-19 updates by authorities across the continent

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

• Tunisia allows Turkish medical aid plane to land for Libyans
• Sudan corruption committee confiscates Bashir family properties
• Sudan coronavirus committee recommends lockdown extension in Khartoum state
• US says Russia is working with Syria’s Assad to move militia to Libya
• Zimbabwe opposition boycotts parliament after members dismissed
• Egypt foreign reserves fall to $37.037 bln end-April – central bank
• Coronavirus could kill up to 190,000 in Africa in first year if not contained – WHO
• US says does not support Haftar’s military action against Libya’s Tripoli
• Foreign holdings of Egypt pound t-bills fell by half in March
• Lesotho’s king assents to bill limiting PM Thabane’s powers
• South Africa rand jumps as Chinese data fuels recovery hopes, Anglo leads
• Africa Oil – Qua offered at premium as market rebounds from record low
• Nigeria’s UAC to spin off loss-making real estate unit by July
• IMF approved $18 bln in 50 requests for emergency pandemic aid – spokesman
• Egypt foreign reserves at $37.037 bln at end-April – central bank
• Africa disease centre rejects Tanzania allegation that its coronavirus tests faulty
• Kenya, Uganda currencies seen firmer, Nigeria’s weaker; in week ahead
• Egypt extends nationwide nighttime curfew until end of Ramadan
• Nigeria 5-year naira futures slide past 550 after cenbank weakens contract – traders
• Africa startup Helium Health closes $10 mln funding round
• Tunisia annual inflation rate rises to 6.3% in April
• Uganda shilling unchanged, banks keep eye on impact from IMF loan
• Virus exposes gaping holes in Africa health systems
• Kenya floods uproot families, complicating coronavirus fight
• South Africa business confidence sinks to 35-yr low in April – SACCI
• Anglo American considers spinning off South Africa coal operations
• Africa disease control body rejects Tanzania assertion that coronavirus tests are faulty
• World food prices fall sharply in April because of coronavirus – UN
• South Africa children face hunger as school closure halts free meals
• South Africa rand dips as risk sentiment dampened by China troubles

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