08:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 03/22/2010 (MidnightTrader) -- Financial issues are weaker before the bell Monday, and Citigroup (C:$3.90,00$-0.12,00-2.99%) is planning to double the size of a team helping pension and government-backed funds manage direct hedge fund investments. The banking group's global finance head, Nick Roe, said that the team currently consists of 30 people, and the expansion will take place within the next two years, according to Bloomberg News. http://www.midnighttrader.com
Asian markets mostly declined Monday after India's surprise rate increase Friday raised fears of monetary tightening by other regional central banks. Hong Kong fell 2.1%. - MarketWatch: Indian Shares Drop on Rate-Hike Fears - Six IPOs Set to Price in U.S.