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Investment banking deal volumes in Russia rose almost 50 percent in 2016, with domestic advisors leading the charge, but continued sanctions and the economic contraction mean the industry remained a shadow of its former self.

According to Thomson Reuters data up to Dec. 14, equity capital market (ECM) volumes in Russia have more than doubled to $3.1 billion this year, while capital raisings in debt markets (DCM) rose by a quarter and the value of takeover deals (M&A) involving Russian targets was up 65 percent at $36.5 billion.

China is set to relax regulations for foreign elderly care firms in an effort to attract investment, the State Council said in a statement issued on Friday. 

U.S. shale drillers are set to ramp up spending on exploration and production next year as recovering oil prices prompt banks to extend credit lines for the first time in two years.

The credit increase is small, but with major oil producers worldwide aiming to hold down production in 2017, U.S.-based shale drillers are looking to boost market share to take advantage of higher prices, and greater availability of capital will make that easier.

North America-focused oil and gas producers are expected to increase capital investments by 30 percent in 2017, according to analysts at Raymond James.

U.S. oil prices fell on Thursday after an industry report showed a surprise build in the country's crude inventories, while Brent futures came off early lows to trade marginally higher.

U.S. benchmark West Texas intermediate (WTI) futures were down 20 cents, or 0.37 percent, at $53.86 per barrel as of 0354 GMT after settling 16 cents higher at $54.06 in the previous session.

Brent futures were 3 cents, or 0.05 percent, higher at $56.25 a barrel after falling 21 cents in early trade. They had settled 13 cents higher at $56.22 in the previous session.

Data released by the American Petroleum Institute (API) late on Wednesday showed a 4.2 million barrel build in U.S. crude stocks in the week to Dec. 23, while analysts polled ahead of the weekly inventory reports had forecast, on average, that inventories would decline 2.1 million barrels.