Here they are...the most widely-read stories on TheStreet.com now:

Stocks Face Pop
Robert Holmes
Stocks were set to open higher Monday amid another flurry of
dealmaking and word that Google and 11 other companies are being added
to the Nasdaq 100.


Merck Aims to Regain Footing
Robert Steyer
With earnings per share and revenue expected to decline for several
years, Merck needs to convince Wall Street that it has a firm plan to
operate as a leaner pharmaceutical giant. This week, several events
could set the tone for both near-term and long-term prospects for the
company.


Choosing a College That's Financially Right
Terry Savage
Families of high school seniors will have some serious discussion
about money in the coming weeks. For wealthy families, the discussion
will revolve around allowances and cars. For lower income families,
the discussion will revolve around filling out the dreaded FAFSA form
-- the "free application for federal student aid." But for many middle
class families, the discussion should revolve around which college the
family can afford. And in many ways, that's the most difficult
discussion of all.


John Templeton's Five Steps for Success
Mark Skousen
I've been a long-time fan of billionaire mutual fund magnate John
Templeton, a man I've met several times, including when I lived in the
Bahamas in the 1980s. In October, I saw Sir John (he was knighted by
Queen Elizabeth in 1992) on video at the London Money Show. He is 93
years old, but looked very alert, and although he spends more time on
his religious and charitable work, he remains an avid investor. Here
is Templeton's five-step formula for financial independence, based on
almost a century of experience.


Closed-End Fund IPOs Fizzle
Gregg Greenberg
Still kicking yourself for missing out on Baidu.com, Under Armour or
one of 2005's other hot IPOs? Don't feel so bad. You could be kicking
yourself for getting into one of this year's disappointing closed-end
fund new issues. In the closed-end fund world, 2005 has been a banner
year, at least when it comes to initial public offerings. Forty- five
closed-end funds have launched so far this year, raising over $20
billion in proceeds for their delighted issuers and yielding hefty
fees for their even happier underwriters.

Daily Investing Tip
'Mad Money' Recap: Asphalt Bundle
Thanks to the highway bill passed by Congress this summer, the highway
cycle is on. That means asphalt will be in high demand, and Alon USA
Energy is the way to play it. Alon is a worst-of-breed refining
company, but it also has a good asphalt business. Nobody pays
attention to its asphalt business, which means opportunity for those
who get in before everyone else takes notice. The market for asphalt
is en fuego, with prices having doubled this year. And with the
closure of two competing asphalt plants in California, Alon is
well-positioned to pick up the extra business. -- James Cramer,
TheStreet.com



Marc Chandler
Winds Shift Against the Dollar
Economic reports this week should favor the dollar bears, and the
greenback's technicals are softening.

Jeff Cooper
Market Waits to Exhale
The S&P still hasn't turned its weekly chart down.