African Markets: Factors to watch on April 12

African Markets: Factors to watch on April 12

NAIROBI: The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect African markets on Monday.GLOBAL MARKETS Asian shares faltered on Monday as investors wait to see if U.S. earnings can justify sky-high valuations, while bond markets could be tested by what should be very strong readings for U.S. inflation and retail sales this week.  WORLD OIL PRICES Oil rose on Monday amid hopes that fuel demand is picking up in the United States as the summer driving season approaches and the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations there accelerates, though increasing case numbers in other countries are set to cap gains.SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS The South African rand retreated from a six-week peak on Friday, taking a breather after dovish signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve spurred a rally in riskier assets. KENYA MARKETS The Kenyan shilling KES= strengthened to an eight and a half month-high against the dollar on Friday spurred by inflows from foreign investors interested in investing in a government infrastructure bond, traders said.  ETHIOPIA DAM Egypt and Sudan on Saturday rejected an Ethiopian proposal to share data on the operations of its giant hydropower dam on the Blue Nile after negotiations between the