11.   An investigation by the subcommittee found that most day traders lose money, while day trading firms make huge profits from commissions on their transactions.

12.   And some private investment firms recently have made major investments in property and casualty firms.

13.   Are venture capital firms making too much?

14.   Another regulator, who requested anonymity, said fuller disclosure would make it harder for Wall Street firms to make improper payments to public officials.

15.   As a consequence, many public relations firms now make sure clients keep up with their bills.

16.   At least two Internet research firms have made predictions in recent weeks about online holiday sales.

17.   At that point, this person said, it was not considered prudent to renege on a commitment the firm had made.

18.   Banks and securities firms make hundreds of billions of dollars in short-term loans and securities purchases every day.

19.   Banks benefit from widening profits on their loans when interest rates decline, while securities firms make more money on trading.

20.   Basically, there are two main ways that venture firms make money from their investments in private companies.