The rest of the world is going to help U.S. consumer product manufacturers next year. Look for international growth to push the likes of Colgate-Palmolive (CL), Avon (AVP) and Clorox (CLX) higher in 2010, according to Fitch Ratings. In an interview with Reuters, a director gave the Fitch's outlook for consumer goods.

The household and personal care segments increased revenue every year from 2003 to 2008. So, 2009 was but a bump in the road. Even in a recession, you need toilet paper and shampoo, so expect the spending to come back.

Traditionally, private equity firms have focused on brick-and-mortar companies. The targets are often underperforming – yet have strong cash flows and stable contracts.

But, recently, private equity firms have moved to tech companies. And some of the deals have been huge, such as the $17.6 billion buyout of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NYSE:FSL) and the $11.4 billion Sungard buyout.

So, is this the beginning of a major trend?

The answer is "no" from a top credit analysis firm, Fitch Ratings.

Why?

First, tech companies are not ideal for loading-up the balance sheet with debt. That is, the free cash flow tends to be too low – or too erratic. Besides, there is "technology risk," in which a company's products can become obsolete from intense competitive forces.

Next, because of the dot-com implosion, many tech companies have already restructured operations. In other words, there is little opportunity for improvement that a private equity can provide.

Despite all this, Fitch did find a few attractive candidates for buyouts: CA, Inc. (NYSE:CA), Convergys Corporation (NYSE:CVG) and even Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL).

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including the Complete M&A Handbook and the EDGAR-Online Guide to Financial Statements.