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 3rd 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