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The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market
moves and political events may affect African markets on Friday.
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GLOBAL MARKETS
Asian shares rose on Friday after global stock indexes and
Wall Street posted more records, and as China's economic
growth matched expectations in spite of U.S. trade
pressures. MKTS/GLOB
WORLD OIL PRICES
Oil prices were steady on Friday as investors braced for
data expected to show China's economic growth last year slid
to its slowest pace in 29 years, holding on to gains for now
after Washington and Beijing inked a long-awaited trade
deal. O/R
EMERGING MARKETS
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STOCKS
For the latest news on African stocks, click on .J
SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS
South Africa's rand inched up on Thursday after the central
bank unexpectedly cut its main lending rate by 25 basis
points to 6.25%, providing a stimulus to the flagging
economy as it lowered its inflation forecasts
significantly. MARKETS
The Kenyan shilling KES= firmed on Thursday supported by
inflows from remittances and offshore investors buying
stocks amid thin dollar demand from importers, traders
said. OIL
Nigeria is currently producing 1.774 million barrels of
crude oil per day, its oil minister Timipre Sylva said on
Thursday, above an estimate given by state oil firm NNPC in
November of 1.6 million-1.7 million bpd. BONDS
Foreign investors cut their participation in Nigerian
government bond auctions last year, buying just 4.39% of all
bonds issued compared with the previous year when they
bought 10.99%, a debt office presentation
showed. POLITICS
Africa's richest woman and Angola's ex-first daughter Isabel
dos Santos expressed interest on Thursday in running for the
presidency despite an asset freeze and accusations of
diverting more than a billion dollars of state
money. OIL
Italian oil major Eni ENI.MI and France's Total TOTF.PA
were among the successful bidders for rights to develop
three offshore blocks in Angola out of 10 auctioned late
last year, the country's petroleum regulator said on
Thursday. SUDAN TELECOMS
South Africa's MTN Group MTNJ.J said on Thursday it had
appointed industry veteran Gordian Kyomukama as chief
executive officer of MTN South Sudan, effective Jan.
21. POLITICS
Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane announced his
intention to resign on Thursday, the South African
Broadcasting Corporation reported. For the latest precious metals report click on GOL/
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