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

Global Markets

• Asian shares slip as new Hong Kong tensions rise
• Hang Seng falls 0.6%, mainland China down 0.3%
• Nikkei down 0.2%, ex-Japan Asian loses 0.3%
• Investors fret over US-China tensions
• Hopes of economic re-opening support sentiment

Oil Markets

• Oil falls on demand concerns, US-China tensions
• Brent down 0.7% at $35.77 (0009GMT)
• WTI down 1.2% at $33.95

Precious metals

• Gold hovers near 2-wk low on hopes of economic recovery
• Spot gold down 0.1% at $1,710.01/oz. (0301GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.1% at $1,703.20/oz.

Grains

• Corn up for 3^rd session as US planting lags expectations
• Corn futures up 0.4% at $3.20-1/4 a bushel (0040GMT)
• Soybeans down 0.1% at $8.46-1/2 a bushel
• Wheat down 0.1% at $5.06-1/4 a bushel

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

• Central Bank of Kenya decides interest rates [fcst. 7.0%, prev. 7.0%]
• South Africa publishes level 3 lockdown regulations
• 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

• Suspected militia kills at least 17 in northeastern Congo
• South Africa to let places of worship reopen from June
• From Brazil to Kenya, coronavirus widows lose their husbands and then their land
• WHO expects hydroxychloroquine safety findings by mid-June
• Algeria raises 2020 budget deficit forecast to 10.4% of GDP
• Hope ‘shattered’ for Kenya forest people three years after landmark ruling
• Africa Oil – Nigeria’s July loading programmes show output rise
• South Africa restaurant group Famous Brands expects revenue upturn in June
• South Africa rand hits 8-wk high vs dollar
• South Africa Airways aims to resume domestic flights in mid-June
• Coronavirus to cut South Africa 2020 mining output by 8-10% – industry body
• Nigeria Bongo oil export terminal shut for maintenance
• South Africa Absa warns H1 profit likely to drop more than 20%
• US military says Russia has deployed more fighter jets to Libya
• New hotline helps families survive abuse in Congo
• Uganda shilling little changed, may firm on charity and coffee inflows
• Kenya shilling steady amid slight pick up in dollar demand

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