GLOBAL MARKETS

Asian markets started a likely momentous month on the cautious side, with shares mostly lower and Treasury yields near three-month highs on Friday, while investors wait for U.S. payrolls data, although a rate cut next week is largely baked in.

MKTS/GLOB

WORLD OIL PRICES

Oil prices extended gains on Friday, climbing more than $1 a barrel to pare weekly losses, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East rose following reports that Iran was preparing a retaliatory strike on Israel from Iraq in the coming days.

O/R

EMERGING MARKETS

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AFRICA STOCKS

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SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS

South Africa's rand was broadly steady on Thursday following the release of local producer inflation and trade balance data, a day after the finance minister delivered the mid-term budget.

KENYA MARKETS

The Kenyan shilling was steady on the dollar on Thursday, data from the London Stock Exchange Group showed.

AFRICA MARKETS

Ghana's currency is expected to face more pressure in the next week to Thursday, Kenya's could slip after weeks of stability and Uganda's is seen strengthening, traders said. The Nigerian and Zambian currencies are expected to be little changed.

AFRICA IMF

From Nairobi to Accra, leaders of countries facing debt strains and public wrath over rising food and fuel prices have turned to the IMF as a last-ditch lender - but say they get little say in the policymaking that ultimately determines their fate.

KENYA POLITICS

Kenya's high court on Thursday lifted orders barring the swearing-in of newly appointed deputy president Kithure Kindiki, whose predecessor has launched legal challenges over his removal from office by impeachment.

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