A private equity fund specializes in investing in private companies. The goal of the fund is to generate adequate returns to compensate for the high risk associated with private companies. Most of these companies are looking for financing to fund product development or expand operations. The private equity fund establishes a stake in the company by purchasing its shares in a private issue. The funds for a private equity fund come from private investors, pension funds and investment firms.

A private equity fund tends to look for companies that are well managed and have competitive products. A company that has potentially market changing products and high sales and profit growth is a good candidate for generating good returns for its shareholders.

Online trading is quick and easy, online investing takes time

With a click of mouse, you can buy and sell stocks from more than 100 online brokers offering executions as low as $5 per transaction. Although online trading saves investors time and money, it does not take the homework out of making investment decisions.

Set your price limits on fast-moving stocks: market orders vs. limit orders

To avoid buying or selling a stock at a price higher or lower than you wanted, you need to place a limit order rather than a market order. A limit order is an order to buy or sell a security at a specific price.

Online trading is not always instantaneous

Investors may find that technological "choke points" can slow or prevent their orders from reaching an online firm.

Know your options for placing a trade if you are unable to access your account online

Most online trading firms offer alternatives for placing trades. These alternatives may include touch-tone telephone trades, faxing your order, or doing it the low-tech way--talking to a broker over the phone.

Don't buy that house -- yet
You've fallen in love for the first time. Your instincts tell you to follow your heart, make a commitment. But would that be wise? After all, it does cost $400,000.

Shrugging off oil prices
Stocks managed a late-session rally Thursday, on a mix of strength in energy and commodity stocks, falling Treasury yields and some old-fashioned short-covering.

Stealing your neighbor's Net
Forty bucks for high-speed Internet access? Not a bad deal. But how does free sound? To a growing number of Internet piggy-backers, it's the sweet sound of pirating their neighbor's wireless network. Most new computers are equipped for wireless Internet access, and more and more people are...