BENETTON OF ITALY SEES EXPANSION, ACQUISITIONS <Benetton SpA> of Italy expects to further diversify into financial services and is weighing possible acquisitions, a Benetton spokeswoman here said. "We are thinking of diversification outside of the retail line," the spokeswoman said. "We are looking at financial services and other manfacturing companies." However, she said the company was not targeting the U.S. for its planned expansion, but was looking at a number of different countries. The company's shares are traded in the U.S. as American Depository Receipts, which were issued through an offering by Morgan Stanley Group Inc <MS> earlier this month. Benetton is now holding talks with Wall Street firms about the possibility of receiving a quotation of its shares on the New York Stock Exchange. "There's absolutely no timetable. It may not even happen," the spokeswoman said. She also denied reports that the company was considering an issue of convertible bonds with warrants in the U.S. "We're not thinking of issuing bonds," she said. In line with its planned Global expansion efforts, Benetton is also holding talks with the Soviet Union to explore the possibility of opening up to 150 stores in the country. But the spokeswoman pointed out that many companies are holding talks with the Soviets. "We are in discussions and are looking forward to some response," she said. She added the company had no firm timetable on when a response might be received.