The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market
moves and political events may affect African markets on Thursday.
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GLOBAL MARKETS
Asian shares slipped on Thursday as investors' worries over
rising tensions between Washington and Beijing overcame
hopes for more stimulus, after the United Sates ordered the
closure of China's consulate in Houston amid accusations of
spying. MKTS/GLOB
WORLD OIL PRICES
Oil prices ticked higher on Thursday, although gains were
limited by a surprise increase in U.S. crude oil reserves as
the coronavirus pandemic hit fuel
consumption. O/R
EMERGING MARKETS
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STOCKS
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SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS
The South African rand hit a one-and-a-half month peak on
Wednesday as risk appetite improved in the currency markets
and it shrugged off data showing a plunge in local retail
sales because of the coronavirus lockdown. SECURITY
Islamist militants in northeast Nigeria have executed four
aid workers and a private security guard, according to a
video seen by Reuters on Wednesday. MARKETS
The Kenyan shilling KES= dropped to a new record low
against the dollar on Wednesday, dragged down by demand for
hard currencies from importers who are getting back into
business after the state started to ease coronavirus
lockdown measures. MARKETS
The Ugandan shilling UGX= edged up on Wednesday, as demand
for hard currency among banks and importers. POLITICS
A Zimbabwean rights activist and a journalist were charged
in court on Wednesday with promoting public violence ahead
of planned anti-government protests next week and will be
kept in jail until a bail ruling on Thursday. ECONET
Zimbabwe's High Court on Wednesday suspended a police search
warrant against mobile telecoms firm Econet Wireless
ECO.ZI which sought to force it to turn over details of
subscribers and transactions as part of a money-laundering
probe. AIRPLANE
An Ethiopian Airlines' Boeing 777 cargo plane caught fire
while loading cargo at Shanghai Pudong International Airport
on Wednesday, the airline said, adding that fire has been
contained and none of the crew or ground staff were
harmed. ELEPHANTS
Botswana wildlife officials investigating a spate of
unexplained elephant deaths have found no new carcasses
midway through an aerial survey to try to establish the
number of deaths, the environment ministry said on
Wednesday. COAST POLITICS
The party of Ivory Coast's former president Laurent Gbagbo,
who was acquitted of war crimes by the International
Criminal Court last year, on Wednesday called for him to run
for president in the October elections. the latest precious metals report click on GOL/
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