By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica
Global Markets
- Asia shares cautious as Sino-US tensions weigh
- MSCI ex-Japan off recent 6-1/2 month high
- Japan, Singapore on public holidays
- US fiscal stimulus talks in focus
- Brent up 40 cents at $44.80
- Gold at $2,030/oz.
Oil Markets
- Oil prices rise 1% on Saudi Aramco’s upbeat demand view, Iraq output cut
- Brent up 0.9% at $44.80 a barrel (0301GMT)
- WTI up 1.2% at $41.72
Precious metals
- Gold dips as dollar holds onto gains; US-China spat in focus
- Spot gold down 0.3% at $2,028.90/oz. (0336GMT)
- US gold futures up 0.6% at $2,039.20/oz.
Grains
- Soybeans rebound from 6-wk low, upbeat global supply outlook caps gains
- Soybean futures up 0.2% at $8.69-1/2 a bushel
- Wheat up 0.2% at $4.96-1/4 a bushel
- Corn up 0.4% at $7.53-3/4 a bushel
Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handles @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica]
- AU, ECA, et al. commemorate 3rd Africa civil registration & vital statistics day
- Ghana opposition NDC press briefing
- Key African countries on lockdown or restricted; subdued economic activity
- Covid-19 updates by authorities across the continent
Key African events or data releases over the weekend & early a.m today
- Gunmen kill six French aid workers, their driver and guide in Niger – minister
- Aid group ACTED sasys its staff members caught up in Niger attack
- Kenya female freedom fighter Mekatilili wa Menza celebrated on Google
- Libya’s National Oil Corp warns of dangers at oil ports
- Algeria eases more coronavirus restrictions, including travel curbs and curfew
- Oil spill threatens ecological disaster as Mauritus declares emergency
- Uganda presidential hopeful says police used bullets to disperse supporters
- France offers aid as Mauritius declares emergency over oil spill from stranded vessel
- Blast rocks military base in Somalia capital, at least 8 dead
- US imposes sanctions on CAR militia leader
- Gunmen kill about 20 in attack in eastern Burkina Faso
- EU drops Morocco from safe country travel list
- Quake causes panic, damages homes in Algeria
- Jubilant worshippers return to Lagos mosques
- Botswana diamond exports fall by two thirds on Covid-19
- South Africa tries to recover over $23 mln from SAP for ‘unlawful’ contracts
- World Bank approves $114 mln for Nigeria’s Covid-19 response
- South Africa’s Denel can’t honour court ruling on salaries – letter
- Rhino poaching in Namibia down 63% on tougher policing, penalties
- AngloGold Ashanti moots higher dividend as gold price boosts earnings
- Ivory Coast opposition says 3rd term for Ouattara would destabilise country
- Co-op Bank Kenya to complete Jamii Bora Bank acquisition this month – central bank
- Uganda prisoner population surges, raising fears of Covid-19 outbreak
- Rape victims ‘denied justice’ in Ghana by costly medical fees
- Record bullion prices give South Africa gold miners a lifeline, risks remain
- Egypt’s sex assault accusations spotlight social stigmas
N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters
