Despite this post, we have to admit things are still slow here at Abnormal Returns HQ. In any event this should give you more time to enjoy a Friday in the summer.

Mark Hulbert in Barrons.com looks at the psychological dimension behind why investors become growth or value investors.

Chet Currier at Bloomberg.com looks at the ongoing debate over the potential for small cap stocks to continue their long run.

Mark Hulbert at Marketwatch.com notes gold timers are far too bullish.

DealBook notes the changing dynamic between financial and strategic buyers of companies. In the past strategic buyers could pay up for a deal given the potential cost-savings and “synergies”, but now financial buyers seem to be in the driver’s seat.

The Euronext-NYSE story has been pretty quiet of late, despite a story that Deutsche Borse is still making a push. (via DealBook)

Haywood Kelly at Morningstar.com has identified six investment related books for those still seeking some summer reading suggestions. We can recommend the Poundstone and Gilbert books, but would caution all but the hardcore economics readers off the Warsh book.

If you are searching for some additional investment sites, Brett Steenbarger has accumulated a number under the rubric of Trader Development Links. Definitely worth a look.

In a world of rapid ETF introductions another site worth a visit is ETF Trends by Tom Lydon. While we disagree in part that the proliferation of ever-narrower ETFs is a salutary trend the site is worth a visit.

The Stalwart looks at the ebb and flow between “stuff and fluff”.

Is anyone in Cupertino really worried about a Microsoft iPod killer? (via New York Times)

Sharon Begley in the Wall Street Journal looks at why researchers (and the media) are so enamored with “genetic determinism” when the picture is far more nuanced.

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