While the Federal Reserve is unlikely to raise interest rates significantly this year in light of high US unemployment and subdued inflation, the long-running rally in the corporate bond market could come to a screeching halt as soon as the Federal Open Market Committee changes a few words in a post-meeting press release.

Weakness in the euro is contributing to the dollar's recovery, as the search for a safe haven favors the United States, analysts say. The euro fell to a 10-month low last month, with worries about Greece's sovereign risk spilling over into Portugal and Spain.

Companies from emerging markets established 57 new depositary receipt programs in 2009, more than half of the year's total worldwide, according to an analysis by BNY Mellon. China-based issuers led the rankings by country, creating 14 new sponsored DR programs during last year. Taiwan was second with 13, followed by India with 12.

Mergers in Mexico and Brazil that will create strong regional and global competitors in a number of industries overshadowed a dormant M&A market in the United States in January.