In this piece, we will look at the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed.
In a recent appearance on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, Jim Cramer discussed how high costs were creating a ‘crisis’ at the Pentagon. Cost-cutting has been a major initiative of the Trump administration, and Cramer shared how crewed aircraft were a major cost driver:
“But what David is right about, I mean not that you’re wrong about. . what you’re really right about, is that there is a crisis at the Pentagon. Now, RTX would tell you that they still want manned, uh, manned vehicles. But there’s just a lot of people who just say you know pilots are too expensive.”
Our Methodology
To make our list of the stocks that Jim Cramer talked about, we listed down the stocks he mentioned during CNBC’s Squawk on the Street aired on July 22nd.
For these stocks, we also mentioned the number of hedge fund investors. 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).
12. General Motors Company (NYSE:GM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 79
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM)’s shares dipped by 8% after its latest earnings report, which saw the firm announce a massive $1.1 billion earnings hit from tariffs. While the firm’s earnings beat analyst estimates, investors were worried about the impact of tariffs. Here’s what Cramer said about General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) after the earnings report:
“Yeah, GM, look they obviously have a, they obviously have a tariff problem, it’s much bigger than a lot of people think. The theme of this quarter is that you have to have a tariff problem, then you make it smaller. RTX did that. It was like wow, we thought it was going to be like 800, it was going to be like 500. So when you see something that seems like a very large number, it’s entirely possible that people say well wait a second, that’s not so good. I’d like to point out that there was a lot that was good. And I think that Mary Barra is doing a very, very fine job. Because the only thing, added cost, but they’re selling! And I think that those who wanna sell the stock, go ahead. I think that this is just another good quarter despite the tariff. I think they can handle that.
“They’re gonna have a lot more that I think can go their way. Uh, when I was speaking to Cleveland Cliffs yesterday, to Lorenzo Goncalves. . I mean he’s just talking about this is the beginning of a lot of different things. Very in flux. GM has. .has much, much exposure. Versus Ford. . . Because everyone in the industry knows that there’s a lot of companies ship a lot of stuff. Get to Allison Motor, down there in Mexico, it comes back. GM, David, it’s like back and forth with the car. . .that is not what they want.”
11. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 39
The impact of tariffs on US companies and car manufacturers in particular has reversed the thesis surrounding Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) and its rival and peer, General Motors. Ahead of the tariffs, investors appeared to be preferring GM as it managed to maintain product demand in 2024 while Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) suffered from high warranty costs. However, exposure to the Mexican supply chain has turned the tables. Here’s what Cramer said:
“They’re gonna have a lot more that I think can go their way. Uh, when I was speaking to Cleveland Cliffs yesterday, to Lorenzo Goncalves. . I mean he’s just talking about this is the beginning of a lot of different things. Very in flux. GM has, Ford has told me GM has much, much exposure. Versus Ford. So I’m looking for Ford to have a good quarter. By the way, Ford’s going for 10, Ford’s making a 20% move here. So I look to see who has the most exposure. And I’ve got to tell you, Ford was right when it said be careful, GM. Because everyone in the industry knows that there’s a lot of companies ship a lot of stuff. Get to Allison Motor, down there in Mexico, it comes back. GM, David, it’s like back and forth with the car. . .that is not what they want.”
10. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 87
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s shares have lost 2.5% since the firm reported its earnings. The results saw its 87 cents in EPS and $12.62 billion in revenue beat analyst estimates. However, President Trump’s assertion that The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) use cane sugar in its products led to investor worries about higher costs. Cramer commented on cane sugar and The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO):
“There’s going to be cane sugar, everywhere. You’d be able to get it. . .the President likes it. He’s in charge, the President.
“Well I just think that Coca-Cola was actually a good quarter. That was it perfect? No. They have a problem, look everyone, they have a problem with aluminum. They have a problem, David. They have a tariff problem.
“When I go to a bar in San Miguel, we would serve Coca-Cola, we’d bang them for eight bucks. I mean people really wanted that stuff. Uh, but it tastes very sweet. And it’s natural. And they’ve always been able to supply here. So it’s not going to be a big problem for Quincey.
“This is another thing that James is really, really good at. Was it a blowout quarter that I’m used to? No. There were some regions that were weaker. And that was, that was hard.
“James Quincy did not pull a rabbit out of the hat. He’s got tariff problems and he didn’t have growth in certain regions and I don’t think he was consumed by sugarcane but it certainly, hit him.”
9. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 71
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)’s shares, unlike rival Coca-Cola, jumped by 7.5% after the firm’s latest earnings report. The shares gained as investors remained bullish about the firm’s turnaround plan, which aims to focus on protein and a rebranding of its snack products. Cramer discussed why PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) performed better and praised the firm’s CEO Ramon Laguarta:
“But Pepsi had the, they had the anti-GLP-1s. That was the beginning of the end of the era where people just said you know what, I can, I only need to eat one. They’re back. The eaters are back. . .the cheaper way to get GLP-1s is gone.
“Did you see the Pepsi number while you were away? It was fantastic. And, Ramon Laguarta is delivering. He’s delivering more than, than James because he’s got snacks that have been nowhere. His stock is at 134, everyone thought it was going to go to 129. Where it would have a very big yield. Laguarta pulled a rabbit out of a hat. James Quincy did not pull a rabbit out of the hat. He’s got tariff problems and he didn’t have growth in certain regions and I don’t think he was consumed by sugarcane but it certainly, hit him.”
8. RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 79
Defense contractor RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX)’s shares have gained 34.7% year-to-date. The stock has gained despite a 9.8% dip in April after the firm announced a massive $850 million impact from tariffs. However, since the dip, the shares are up by 37%, with part of the gains attributed to a successful narrative shift by the firm, according to Cramer. The CNBC TV host believes RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX)’s approach of initially outlining tariff damage and then reducing it, along with describing strategies to weather the storm, has worked well for the firm. This time, he discussed RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX), the F-35 stealth fighter aircraft, and missile demand:
“Now you do have this F-35 program, and we can talk about that because we have RTX there. RTX seems to be doing better with that.
“I would disagree there. Why? Because, Chris Calio, who runs RTX, said the Patriot missiles are needed because the Russians are constantly sending missiles.”
Previously, the CNBC TV host commented on RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX)’s potential to benefit from European trade negotiations:
“And I think the EU may end up lining up with the President, cause he’s the President and the next thing you know we have a deal and we’re now providing missiles and RTX is a solid buy. And these big tech stocks will not be taxed. . .”
7. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 68
Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) created quite a bit of chatter on the market when it announced a massive $1.6 billion loss from a classified aeronautics projects during its Q2 earnings. Naturally, investors were intrigued as to what could have driven the loss. Year-to-date, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)’s shares 12.1% primarily on the back of its latest earnings report. Cramer made the following remarks immediately after the widely-discussed earnings report:
“Well we don’t really know there was a stealth problem, we’re not sure exactly what went wrong. I will say, much to my chagrin because I really, really like ’em. The long knives are out for James Taiclet. Lockheed. They just are. All we ever hear about is the stock’s not going to make, you know the company’s not that great. Now you do have this F-35 program, and we can talk about that because we have RTX there. RTX seems to be doing better with that. And you know David I think that, when I look at what James is doing, I mean I don’t know the program that he’s being hurt by.”
In his earlier comments, Cramer was full of praise for Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) and CEO James Taiclet:
“I like Lockheed Martin too much to tell you to do that. Every time I see Jim Taiclet, I say to myself, why does anyone want to sell that stock with a 3% yield and a great book of business and a terrific CEO? No, you stay long, Lockheed Martin.”
6. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 23
AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) is a defense contractor that operates primarily in the uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) market. Also called drones, this is one of the hottest segments of the global defense industry. In this show, Cramer commented on the growing use of drones and pointed out that a large part of the Pentagon’s costs are driven by fighter jet and bomber pilots. The CNBC TV host explained that triple redundancies in such systems drove up costs, and drones might help in reducing the costs and keeping military personnel safe from the risk of shootdowns. As for AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV), he outlined a cost-effective weapon to shoot drones:
“Also Wahid Nawabi was on Mad Money. Now he is the CEO of Aerovironment. And they have a gun that shoots ’em down. And it’s a couple of pennies. So that’s the hope.”
Previously, the CNBC host discussed AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV)’s share price performance in an idea-driven market:
“We are in an idea-driven market and in an idea-driven market I go out with AeroVironment at 190 and then it goes to 290 because I mentioned it in the Mad Dash and then they’re able to do a financing.”
5. Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 77
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) is a stock frequently discussed by Cramer in his morning show. The shares have gained a whopping 105% year-to-date as the firm remains the only pure-play analytics provider with significant catalysts from cost-cutting initiatives at the US government. Cramer’s previous comments about Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) have seen him proudly claim that he predicted the stock would cross the $100 price mark well before Wall Street analysts. This time, he discussed the firm in the context of a new age of defense contractors springing up and efficiency drives at the old ones:
“But I do think that we’re gonna have to start focusing, [inaudible] Palantir. I mean Palantir is behind a lot of the effort to have contractors be competitive.”
Earlier, Cramer discussed how he had been bullish on Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) well before others:
“Remember Palantir, I said at 50 it goes to 100. When it gets to 150, it gets to 200. I’m gonna revise my price target when it gets to 200. Cause it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter, it’s got the Rule of 40. It has the messianic CEO. When you bring them in, they make you money. And it has what this market really wants. Which is momentum.
“[On how there are some $200 price targets for PLTR] Oh yeah, but where were they when I was there?”
4. CSX Corporation (NASDAQ:CSX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 68
CSX Corporation (NASDAQ:CSX) is one of the biggest railroad companies in America. The firm has come to the center of investor attention lately due to a potential merger between it and railroad giant Union Pacific. The reports of a deal are particularly close to Cramer’s morning show, as co-host David Faber was the first to discuss that potential deals could take place. This time, the CNBC TV host discussed why railroads were interested in consolidation:
“Well look they have a direct corridor, CSX, direct corridor connects South East Mexico, Texas, US Southeast. That’s Union Pacific. Why would you let that happen? Why would you make it so that you have two railroads that have that area and not make it so that there’s one. And I think Joe Hinrichs, the CEO of CSX, might not want this deal. He’s young. He took over the railroad. He just got there.”
Previously, Cramer recalled when he asked Faber about a potential CSX Corporation (NASDAQ:CSX) merger:
“[On Cowen taking it to buy] David, don’t you think that one of these is going to merge? [Mimicks David Faber with arms crossed and a grim look with pursed lips] And that means yes.
“CSX is going to merge with Union Pacific, am I off the rails? I am in charge of the rails. It’s just the way, the people refuse to believe that this is a different government.”
3. Norfolk Southern Corporation (NASDAQ:NSC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 49
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NASDAQ:NSC)’s shares have gained 21.7% year-to-date and have gained 11.5% in July. The shares have benefited recently from talks about mergers in the railroad industry, which could significantly increase the firm’s operating presence and allow it to control a larger market. Cramer made the following remarks. about Norfolk Southern Corporation (NASDAQ:NSC) in the context of a merger between CSX and Union Pacific, which could drive competition to keep prices low and remove one major drawback of a railroad consolidation:
“[On competition between UNP and Norfolk and Burlington with CSX to keep prices low] Well, look. Norfolk would be great. I know Norfolk’s up very, very big on this. Norfolk is the one with I think the caretaker CEO because the previous CEO, uh, had things that I don’t wanna talk about.”
Recently, Cramer commented on Norfolk Southern Corporation (NASDAQ:NSC)’s share price performance:
“You know look at Norfolk Southern. The run in Norfolk Southern is just breathtaking. I just think that we are so the opposite of where we were. Everything changed. Everything changed. Liberation Day may turn out to be the bottom. We may look at Liberation Day and say you know that was when they realized, wow, are we ever on the wrong track. The market has spoken and we’re wrong.”
2. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 100
Shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) have remained a top Jim Cramer retail stock pick throughout 2025. The CNBC TV host has remained optimistic about the firm primarily due to its scale and the ability to drive prices low. He mentioned the latter in these remarks:
“Yeah and John David Rainey came over. Now John David, I’ve known him for many, many years. The CFO. And senior vice president. And I was concerned by the Walmart, their response about Amazon. Because Amazon, the Journal caught them raising prices. Now I’m trying to find out whether that’s [inaudible] but he said Walmart has not. And I think Walmart is, Walmart and Costco are the two great inflation fighters now. And I think that it’s, Walmart has a couple of, there was 200 million in shoppers. So, for them to hold down prices. . . and if we had an honest CPI, then you would have to question some of the prices that are up if they shop at Walmart. Because they didn’t increase the prices.
“Well CPI is all these different element of food. And you know, I think it matters where you shop. If you shop at Walmart. . .Then you know that things didn’t go up. Look you’re eyes are not lying. So anyway I think it’s great to hear from John David Rainey that the largest chain that you buy food did not raise things. . . remember there’s a Walmart every two minutes away from you. S i salute Walmart and I think that this is terrific.”
1. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 93
Along with Walmart, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is another top Jim Cramer retail stock. Like Walmart, the firm’s scale and the ability to keep prices low have made Cramer a believer. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)’s shares have gained a modest 2.6% year-to-date as they are still down by 11% from the pre-March selloff, which saw the stock gutted by 15%. The stock fell after a mixed earnings report saw it warn about the impact of inflation on consumer spending. Here’s what Cramer said about Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST):
“And I think Walmart is, Walmart and Costco are the two great inflation fighters now.
“Well CPI is all these different element of food. And you know, I think it matters where you shop. If you shop at Walmart and Costco. Then you know that things didn’t go up.”
Previously, Cramer asserted that Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) was not raising prices as reports suggested that Walmart was increasing them:
“[On a piece saying WMT is increasing prices by as much as 50%] Well look you gotta, you gotta, I’ve been spending a lot of time at Costco, Costco’s not saying that. I mean I think that’s very, now we do have that big beef problem.”
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