Global co-operation on financial reforms needed: IMF
HERZILIYA, Israel (Reuters) – International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Sunday urged the United States, Britain and other countries to cooperate on new policies and regulations in the wake of the financial crisis.

Pandit puts faith in overseas growth strategy
Vikkram Pandit, Citigroup chief executive, insists his strategy of international growth will allow Citi to outperform rivals once the economy bounces back

Are stocks set for a down year? (Reuters)

Reuters – The adage “as January goes, so goes the year” bodes ill for equity investors after the S&P 500 closed out its worst month in almost a year. This week, they will have to contend with fears of sovereign defaults and potential unpleasantness in the U.S. labor market as well.

Volatile stock market weighing on IPOs (AP)
AP – Companies trying to sell their shares in initial public offerings had a hard time finding willing buyers in January — a trend that will likely continue until the stock market stabilizes.

Saudi regulator fines six investors for bourse violations (Reuters)
Reuters – The Saudi bourse regulator has ordered six investors to pay a total 278.1 million riyals ($74.16 million) for trading violations, it said in a statement on Saturday.

FTSE ends higher on US economic data (AFP)

AFP – Leading shares ended higher in London on Friday as sentiment was lifted by data showing stronger-than-expected US economic growth chalked up in the final quarter of last year.