Jim Cramer, host of Mad Money, on Friday, commented on the latest employment data, pointing out that the report adds to what is already a challenging month for markets. He noted that September tends to be difficult for stocks, and the weak labor numbers released that morning did not help sentiment.
“We’ve all been conditioned to believe that good news is bad news and vice versa… If the economy’s too strong, we can expect the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates, bad for growth. And if the economy’s weak enough, the Fed will cut rates, good for growth and the stock market.”
READ ALSO: Jim Cramer Shared Insights on These 14 Stocks and Jim Cramer Shed Light on These 10 Stocks Recently.
However, Cramer stressed that not all bad news should be interpreted through this lens, as some of it is simply bad. Referring to the labor report released Friday morning, he described it as “very weak” and noted that this time, it might not provide the usual silver lining. He acknowledged that he, like many others, was hoping for a softer employment report to help nudge the Fed toward lowering rates, which would generally support higher stock prices.
He went on to say, “Let me put in a little ray of sunshine in the equation.” Despite the disappointing job figures, he believes the situation has not deteriorated to the point where unemployment is truly spiking. Instead, he described job growth as sluggish rather than collapsing. He explained that modest weakness in the labor market could still prompt rate cuts, which would likely stimulate sectors that have been underperforming, especially housing.
Cramer reiterated his long-held view that housing plays a disproportionately large role in the health of the economy. He said that it has ripple effects that it generates across industries. He went on to say:
“I’m not going to be a doomsayer here. I will say, though, that lots of stocks have moved up a great deal, and sometimes we forget that we are indeed in the month of September when money managers look for any excuse they can to ring the register.”
Our Methodology
For this article, we compiled a list of 10 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episodes of Mad Money aired on September 5. We listed the stocks in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment as of the second quarter of 2025, which was taken from Insider Monkey’s database of over 900 hedge funds.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
10 Stocks on Jim Cramer’s Radar
10. Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ:PLPC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 10
Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ:PLPC) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. A caller mentioned that the stock appears undervalued despite strong performance and asked why it trades at a discount compared to peers in the industrial sector. In response, Cramer commented:
“Oh, now, you know what, that’s still one more of multiple stocks that are involved in the construction of the data center, and those, because there’s so many of them, they’re starting to trade at a discount. Don’t freak out, the business is good.”
Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ:PLPC) develops and supplies infrastructure hardware and systems for energy, telecommunications, and data networks. It offers solutions such as fiber optic cables, connectors, insulators, protective closures, and motion control devices. The company also provides drone inspection services, solar framing, and EV-related products, serving utilities, communication providers, contractors, and government agencies.
9. D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:QBTS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24
D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:QBTS) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. Answering a caller’s query about the company during the lightning round, Cramer stated:
“I have to tell you, we liked them very much when they were on. But you know what we really liked? We liked the quantum story that Arvind Krishna had to say when we were up at IBM. And that stock, by the way, is very inexpensive… I think IBM gives you a lot more than just quantum.”
D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE:QBTS) provides quantum computing systems, cloud services, and developer tools, including its Advantage platforms, Ocean software suite, and Leap hybrid solvers. Cramer mentioned the company in an August episode and said:
“Or take D-Wave Quantum. I think quantum computing could be a huge way to disrupt almost everything someday, a faster way to do high-performance computing for certain. Rational, assuming you’re betting on this technology for the long haul, but is anyone really doing that? When I listen to what D-Wave wants to do when they came on our show, which is pretty much everything, and how it’s gotten the money to do so, largely by selling… stock to the memesters who bid it up, I say irrational, frothy.”
8. Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE:GTN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26
Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE:GTN) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. A caller asked for Cramer’s take on the stock, and he stated:
“They’re a survivor, they’re survivors. Does that mean it’s enough… for me to pull the trigger? Not after the run it’s had. But I’ve gotta tell you, they’re a survivor. They’re a good spec, even at this price.”
Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE:GTN) operates television stations and digital platforms while also running a digital marketing agency, video production companies, and studio facilities. Miller Value Partners stated the following regarding Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE:GTN) in its Q1 2025 investor letter:
“During the quarter, the strategy’s largest positive contributor was Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE:GTN), with shares up +37%. Gray significantly lagged the strategy during the back half of 2024. While the company’s political advertising led the overall market, it fell below market expectations. Gray continues to generate strong free cash flow and successfully paid down more than $500M of debt during the past year. While the company has significant debt leverage, Gray has a much smaller amount of debt maturities over the next two years. Marketplace expectations for Gray’s future retransmission revenues remain very low providing a nice ongoing variant as management focuses on improving long-term retransmission agreements. Near-term risks include an advertising recession; auto advertising may be weaker over the coming months; however local advertising has so far remained resilient. Gray has the potential to deliver strong free cashflow next year and $2B+ over the coming 5 to 6 years. Ongoing debt reduction should accrue to the equity over time. We see long-term upside potential multiples of the current share price.”
7. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. During the lightning round, when a caller asked about the stock, Cramer said:
“I mean, the stock is just a straight up stock, and I like it. I definitely don’t like a foreign stock defense because it’s harder to get a read on, but that company is very good. I’ve liked it actually for, for a couple of decades.”
Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) designs and delivers defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation technologies. The company’s solutions include airborne platforms, unmanned systems, precision munitions, C4ISR solutions, cyber intelligence, naval and electronic warfare systems, and land-based military platforms. On August 13, it declared a $0.75 per share quarterly dividend, payable by October 27 to the shareholders of record on October 14. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) has a dividend yield of 0.62% as of September 8.
6. Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36
Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. Inquiring about the stock, a caller noted that it has remained stagnant around $17 despite the company’s strong underlying value. Cramer remarked:
“It’s a premier natural gas play, pipeline. I think it’s sensational. I didn’t think that they were taking out too much debt. That’s not the case… You got it right.”
Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) provides energy infrastructure and services, operating extensive natural gas, natural gas liquids, and crude oil pipelines along with storage, processing, and fractionation facilities. Cramer discussed the stock in a July episode, as he commented:
“Hey, speaking of good yields, some of the best natural gas-oriented pipelines have huge benefits, and they’re winners too if Europe imports a lot more liquified natural gas from the US. Wow. Listen to this, Energy Transfer LP. Okay, now you called me about that a lot of times. It’s one of the largest players in the space, providing natural gas gathering, compression, treating, storage, transportation, and marketing services with nearly 107,000 miles of pipeline, 235 billion cubic feet of storage capacity, and more than 70 natural gas processing and treatment facilities.
This is another great long-term performer. The stock’s roughly tripled over the past five years after they digested a lot of debt. Plus, while you wait for the potential EU trade benefit to kick in, you can sit back and collect big fat dividends. The Energy Transfer dividend gives you a yield of 7.5%.”
5. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. When a caller asked if the stock is a buy, sell, or hold, Cramer replied:
“I’m going to say weak hold. I don’t like the traditional hardware defense stocks, particularly if they’re up a lot, which happens to be the case of Northrop Grumman. So… a little profit-taking there. It’s a little above the market multiple.”
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) develops aerospace and defense technologies spanning advanced aircraft, unmanned systems, missiles, missile defense, and precision weapons, along with C4ISR, radar, electronic warfare, and space systems. Additionally, the company’s products include satellites, launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and sustainment and modernization services for global defense and security applications. Cramer mentioned the company in an April episode. He said:
“Finally, there’s Northrop Grumman, which was the dud of the day, reporting a severe top and bottom line miss for the first quarter, and cutting its full year earnings forecast pretty substantially. Now there’s some important context here. Both the miss and the forecast cut were related to Northrop Grumman’s next generation B-21 bomber program. They’re taking a hit on the higher cost as they try to ramp up production. That said, even if you add that back, the impact from the B-21 charge, Northrop Grumman still would’ve missed the sales and earnings estimate. It just would’ve been a smaller disappointment. These Northrop Grumman results simply weren’t up to snuff so the stock had its worst day since 2008 today, falling $67 or nearly 13%. This one’s now in the penalty box.”
Since the above comment was aired, the company stock has gained over 25%.
4. lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 55
lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. Cramer explained the recent drop in the stock price, as he commented:
“If you want to know why the stock of lululemon plunged over 18% today, look no further than a lawsuit the company filed against Costco last June for allegedly selling virtually identical knockoffs… Look, Lulu’s a special company that makes special products, but I’ve never met a soul in the last few years that didn’t say within a breath of mentioning something that they liked, that, of course, it’s very expensive.
Have you ever heard anyone say… that something from Costco’s too expensive? Have you ever heard of anyone say that it’s not of similar quality to the product that it rivals, if not better? Notice I didn’t say mimics or infringes, I said rivals because that’s how the American people view the relationship…
To me, companies like Costco and Amazon are Avengers. They recognize that we’re mad as hell. We’re just not going to take these prices anymore… So let the decline and perhaps fall of Lululemon be a sign that Americans want value, not status. Or to be more positive, they want value and the status of not being seen as dupes for paying full price just for a brand name. If you’re an apparel company, and you can’t figure that out, then take your prices down and stop trying to please both Wall Street and Main Street, because in the end, it’s Main Street that makes the purchasing decisions and only determines what Wall Street has to say and not vice versa.”
lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) designs and sells athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for both men and women, with products focused on yoga, running, training, and lifestyle wear.
3. DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ:DKNG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 66
DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ:DKNG) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. A caller asked if it was a good time to add to their position in the stock, and Cramer remarked:
“Yes, the answer is yes. I think this is best in show. I think that the stock could have a, look, it’s up 25%. I think it can go even further. It is profitable, and it’s, I think, run by maybe the best in the entire industry, Jason Robbins. Good choice by you.”
DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ:DKNG) provides digital sports entertainment and gaming services, including online sports betting, daily fantasy contests, iGaming, and retail sportsbooks. The company also develops betting and casino software and operates a digital collectibles marketplace that feature curated NFTs. Cramer discussed the company’s earnings and forecast in an August episode. He said:
“As we approach football season, things are already looking pretty darn good for DraftKings, one of the nation’s largest online sportsbooks. I’ve been steadfastly bull on this one, you know, just the whole way. After the close, DraftKings reported an impressive quarter, revenue growth accelerating to 37%, better-than-expected earnings, higher-than-expected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. These results were driven by what DraftKings calls sportsbook-friendly outcomes in the quarter, and the company only reiterated its full-year forecast. But management did say that it now expects to see revenue near the high end of its guidance range. That was good enough to send the stock flying in after-hours trading.”
2. American Express Company (NYSE:AXP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 70
American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. Noting that the company is not growing at the right pace and lacks strong leadership, a caller expressed concern about the stock. In response, Cramer said:
“Oh my god, I think Steve, I’m going to have to, I don’t like to come out against our viewers, but I’m going to have to be a hundred percent against you on this. I think Steve Squeri is a remarkable executive, and I am harsh. I am hard-pressed to criticize a company that hit an all-time high on this very day. So I’m saying [buy, buy, buy].”
American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) provides payment and financing solutions through credit and charge cards, banking products, and network services, along with travel, lifestyle, and expense management offerings. Moreover, it delivers merchant processing, fraud prevention, loyalty programs, and airport lounge services. In a July episode, Cramer mentioned the company and remarked:
“Sure enough, when Amex reported last Friday morning, the company delivered a strong quarter, and the stock still tumbled $7 or 2.3% before slipping another 1.6% today. My gut instinct says that this will once again prove to be a good buying opportunity, but my brain says we need to do the homework and make sure the stock’s still worth owning first… Let me tell you the three big things that I liked about the quarter. First, I remain impressed by how American Express is doing on the credit quality front…
When you’re looking at, you’re trying to game the long-term business here, the health, well, with the success of young consumers, I think that’s incredibly important, and this company has figured out because you want to know what’s the long-term, some of these guys are going to max out when the baby boomers are gone.
Still, why is American Express doing so well with younger people in particular? That leads me to the last thing that I really liked about Amex’s report last Friday, which is the way CEO Steve Squeri talked about some of the competitive dynamics of the credit card space. He explained that his company is winning because it offers the best value proposition, even if that’s with a fee-based product…
So here’s the bottom line: Once again, American Express sold off in response to what looked like a good quarter, and just as predicted, my gut instinct says, you know what, this was what we said all the time, we said it would go down. We called it a buying opportunity. We waited till today, and history says that tomorrow’s the day to buy. After looking through the quarter, I’m now confident my gut instinct was right. Buy the dip for American Express tomorrow.”
1. Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 82
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. A caller asked whether Cramer’s outlook on the company has changed following its recent involvement with the government, and he said:
“Look, it’s had a very, very big move. Now, I happen to really believe in Lip-Bu Tan. I think he’s absolutely great, but the stock just jumped so much that I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves with Intel.”
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) develops and supplies semiconductors, processors, and system-on-chip solutions, along with GPUs, FPGAs, memory, storage, and networking products. In addition, the company provides AI, autonomous driving, advanced packaging, and intelligent edge platforms. In August, Cramer discussed the government adding a stake in the company, as he commented:
“I know the White House is taking a 10% stake in the semiconductor company. It’s unorthodox, but Intel’s been a multi-year disaster, and our country needs this company to be on firmer footing… We need a healthy, viable Intel because we can’t simply rely on Taiwan Semiconductor to manufacture our most advanced chips…
After the government freed up those funds in return for a 10% stake, turning a grand equity, I think he’s (CEO Lip-Bu Tan) going to pull it off. I didn’t understand the criticism of the president on this one. Why shouldn’t the government take the stake and get the upside? This is hardly unprecedented…
I say, look, if it’s a national security issue and one of our important companies might be failing, you better believe it’s going to get bailed out. Doesn’t matter if the president’s a Democrat or Republican; remember, Trump made this investment with money that was authorized under Biden. Intel could not be allowed to fail, people. End of story. The president gave Intel new life by fixing its balance sheet. Now, Intel can recreate its greatness with a proven turnaround artist as CEO Lip-Bu Tan is. The government wins. The people win. The shareholders win. What more do you want?”
While we acknowledge the potential of Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than INTC and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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