The FINANCIAL -- A majority of businesses are expecting the U.S. economy to grow at an improved pace this year, a marked turnaround from the fall when many had a more negative view, according to Borsa Italiana - London Stock Exchange Group.

The FINANCIAL -- MICEX -RTS Group entered into a cooperation agreement with Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration,according to MICEX .

The FINANCIAL -- On Year China's General Administration of Customs confirmed Saturday that December crude-oil imports totaled 21.92 million metric tons, equivalent to 5.18 million barrels a day, up 5.1% from a year earlier,according to London Stock Exchange.

The FINANCIAL -- U.S. stocks in the days ahead are positioned to continue what has so far been a robust January, a month that tends to serve as a reasonable predictor of how the rest of the year will pan out,according to London Stock Exchange.