NAIROBI, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The following company
announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency
market moves and political events may affect African markets on
Thursday.
- - - - -
GLOBAL MARKETS
Asian stocks edged up on Thursday, supported by a fall in
coronavirus cases and expectations of more Chinese
stimulus to offset the economic impact of the epidemic,
while the Japanese yen nursed heavy losses after
suffering its steepest drop in six months. MKTS/GLOB
WORLD OIL PRICES
Oil prices rose nearly 1% on Thursday, extending big
gains from a day earlier, as the market worried about
crude supply disruptions and demand concerns were
cushioned after a sharp drop in new coronavirus cases at
the epicentre of the outbreak. O/R
EMERGING MARKETS
For the top emerging markets news, double click on
STOCKS
For the latest news on African stocks, click on .J
SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS
South Africa's rand firmed on Wednesday as data showed an
uptick in consumer inflation but the January figure of
4.5% remained well below the central bank's upper target
range, supporting the currency's carry-trade
appeal. MARKETS
The Kenyan shilling KES= was under pressure on Wednesday
due to increased dollar demand from merchandise importers
and the energy sector, traders said. AFRICA
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took a veiled swipe
at China during a speech to Ethiopian business leaders on
Wednesday, in an apparent amplification of U.S. criticism
that Chinese lending for big infrastructure projects
pushes poor countries into debt. PRIVATE EQUITY
Grand Parade Investments (GPI) Ltd GPLJ.J said on
Wednesday it is selling the Burger King South Africa
franchise and a related burger-making plant to private
equity firm ECP Africa Fund for 697 million rand ($47
million). AFRICA MINING
South African mining company Sibanye-Stillwater SSWJ.J
reported a near 80% surge in full year earnings on
Wednesday following a rebound in the second half on the
back of rising precious metals prices and the inclusion
of its Marikana operations. LOCUSTS
Kenyan farmer Mwende Kimanzi said planes started spraying
as soon as the swarm of desert locusts appeared but it
was not enough to save her crops. the latest precious metals report click on GOL/
For the latest base metals report click on MET/L
For the latest crude oil report click on O/L