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 comments by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, where he remarked that he saw inflation in the US dropping significantly in 2026’s first half. Bessent appeared on Fox Business and commented that “We are flattening it [inflation] out. I believe we are going to push it down.” He added that “I would expect in the first two quarters [of the next year] we are going to see the inflation curve bend down.” Cramer briefly commented on the Treasury Secretary’s statements and shared that he thought “inflation has peaked, except for cattle.” The CNBC TV host then used oil as an example and added that “oil is having a crash.”
His comments about cattle prices came as the latest inflation data in the US, covering September’s prices, showed that beef and veal prices jumped by 14.7% annually. The higher prices came as cattle inventory dropped to its lowest level in 70 years in 1951. However, Cramer’s remarks about oil prices demonstrated how quickly markets can change. While WTI crude’s price fell below $55 a barrel on Tuesday for the first time since February 2021, it rebounded to nearly touch $57 on Wednesday after President Trump announced a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
Yet, even though Cramer believes that inflation has peaked, he still admitted that prices at the supermarkets were high. “I know that the supermarket’s more expensive,” he said. “We haven’t been able to get that down yet. And I think that, if I were the President, that’s what I would be focused on.” Cramer added.
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 December 16th. We also provided hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the third quarter of 2025, which was taken from Insider Monkey’s database of 978 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 427.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 264 percentage points (see more details here).
12. CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 62
CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWV) is one of the most important players in the AI industry since it provides computing infrastructure to AI software firms. The shares are up by 61% since their IPO in March, but have dipped by 14% over the last month. On December 16th, The Wall Street Journal reported that CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWV)’s massive 260-megawatt data center in Texas was facing construction delays due to adverse weather conditions.
Since October start, CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWV)’s shares have dipped by more than 50% and during this time, multiple analysts have adjusted their ratings. For instance, BofA lowered its share price target to $140 from $168 and kept a Neutral rating on November 11th as it noted the firm’s reduced fiscal year outlook but added that CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWV) had a strong backlog. Similarly, Jefferies cut the share price target to $155 from $180 on the same day due to a lower 2025 capex guidance.
Cramer believes that CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWV) might be facing troubles due to a lack of sufficient talent in the construction sector. “I just think that, one of the problems I think that Michael [Intrator] would tell you is, there’s a mismatch. Like we don’t have the people who can do those jobs,” he said. The CNBC TV host added that “it worries me, because there’s no change in that.” However, even though he’s worried, Cramer believes that CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWV)’s business model of deploying as much capacity as possible and renting it can work in the long term, as he commented, “I think Intrator’s got a model, and the model was to put up as much as you could and then you rent. And he’s going to turn out to be right.”
11. Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 76
Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) is one of the largest industrial gas companies in the world. The firm has struggled recently, primarily due to weakness in the European economy. These struggles were evident in Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN)’s fiscal third quarter, which saw the firm’s sales volumes dip by 3% in its Europe, Middle East, and Africa business. The industrial gas company also guided its fourth quarter earnings per share to sit between $4.10 and $4.20, which was lower than the $4.23 in LSEG analyst estimates.
Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) had reported its earnings on October 31st, and on November 19th, UBS maintained a Buy rating and set a $500 share price target. The shares closed at $422 on December 17th, and the investment bank shared that the firm could accelerate its EPS growth from 6% in 2025 to 9% to 10% in 2026. UBS’ price target was exceeded by CICC’s coverage. Initiating coverage on December 3rd, it set a $510 share price target and an Outperform rating on the shares.
Cramer previously discussed Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) on Mad Money on December 2nd and shared that while his Charitable Trust had owned the stock, it had been nothing but “nastiness.” In this appearance, he commented on Linde plc (NASDAQ:LIN) in the context of industrial reshoring in the US. Industrial gas companies benefit from reshoring and are among the first to pick up the signs. Recalling his discussion with the firm, Cramer said:
“Where’s the reshoring? You know I had Linde on yesterday, industrial gas, many different. Industrial gas is used in every part of the economy. And he said, where’s the reshoring? We haven’t got the reshoring.”
10. The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 49
The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP) is a well-known American apparel retailer. Its shares are up by 15% year-to-date but have spent a tumultuous time on the market. The volatility in The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)’s shares comes at a time when it is in the midst of a turnaround under CEO Richard Dickson. For instance, the shares dipped by 20% on May 30th after the firm shared that it could face as much as $300 million in excess costs due to tariffs.
Since the dip, The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)’s shares are up by more than 21%. During this time period, several analysts have shared their thoughts about the firm. One such coverage came from Morgan Stanley as it increased The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)’s share price target to $28 from $27 and kept an Overweight rating on September 16th. A little over a month later, on November 14th, Jefferies raised its share price rating for The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)’s stock to Buy from Hold and increased the share price target to $30 from $22. The investment bank pointed out that the retailer was benefiting from improved web and foot traffic for key brands such as Old Navy.
As for Cramer, he commented on the tariff overhang for The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)’s stock. With the Supreme Court deliberating President Trump’s emergency use of tariffs and expected to announce a decision in January, Cramer commented that the legal tussle is also making its way to The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)’s shares. His remarks came after Telsey and Baird upgraded the shares to Outperform and set the share price target to $32 and $33, respectively:
“Although it’s interesting that, people are now starting to recommend stocks like Gap, on the idea that we’re going to get the Supreme Court to go against the President.”
9. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 76
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The firm has seen some attention from analysts in December. For instance, Jefferies reiterated a Buy rating and a $68 price target for Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) on December 4th. Jefferies’ coverage came on the same day that Scotiabank bumped the share price target to $53 from $45 and kept a Sector Perform rating. The bank cited Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY)’s pipeline as driving its enthusiasm. Additionally, on December 12th, Guggenheim had set a $62 price target and a Buy rating, as per The Fly.
This flurry of analyst coverage comes as Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) moves forward with regulatory oversight. As an example, on December 4th the firm announced that the Food and Drug Administration had granted traditional approval to its Breyanzi drug for certain patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), or blood cancer. Later, on December 11th, the FDA also granted Priority review to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY)’s Opdivo for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma.
Amidst these developments, Cramer discussed the shares in the context of broader drug stocks and valuation multiples as he remarked:
“Well because it doesn’t matter anymore if it’s a drug stock it can go higher. Bristol Myers, there’s nothing new there but you give it a higher multiple, you know that fool’s game. I’m playing.”
8. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 84
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)’s shares are down by 5.90% year-to-date, and December has been a tumultuous month for them. On Tuesday, the stock dipped by 5.2% after the firm released its full-year 2026 guidance. The figures saw Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) forecast 2026 revenue to range between $59.5 billion to $62.5 billion and profit per share between $2.80 and $3. Both of these were below LSEG estimates. A key focus of the latest financial figures from Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) was the firm’s COVID-19 vaccine revenue as it shared that these sales would be $1.5 billion lower in 2026 over 2025’s figures.
Ahead of the release, Morgan Stanley had maintained an Equal-Weight rating and cut Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)’s share price target to $28 from $32. On December 17th, the bank adjusted the share price target to $27. Yet, on the same day, BMO maintained its $30 price target and an Outperform rating on Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)’s shares. As part of the release, it cited optimism about Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)’s cost-saving plans and the Metsera acquisition.
Cramer is tilted towards the optimistic side for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE). In his previous comments about the firm, the CNBC TV host has pointed out that CEO Dr. Albert Bourla could share important details at the JPMorgan Healthcare conference in January. In this appearance, he insisted that the CEO had a good hand:
“Yeah, Dr. Bourla’s struggling, he’s struggling because I think he’s got a good hand.”
7. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 92
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Its shares are flat year-to-date and would have been lower had it not been for a run that started on November 3rd. During this time period, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has benefited from several catalysts, which include optimistic data about its heart drug called Winrevair. On November 18th, the firm announced that phase two trials for the drug had been successful to allow it to proceed with a phase three study. Drugs such as Winrevair are important for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) due to the success of its cancer drug Keytruda. With Keytruda’s patents set to expire soon, new drugs improve the firm’s chances of sustaining its revenue.
Positive news about the drug pipeline has also been accompanied by analyst optimism. For instance, Bank of America raised Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)’s share price target to $120 from $105 and kept a Buy rating on the stock on December 15th. The note outlined that the bank was basing its target on a new estimate of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)’s FY27 EPS. Yet, while BofA has a Buy rating, Morgan Stanley reiterated its Equal Weight rating and raised the share price target to $102 from $100 on December 12th. Cramer discussed Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) after he discussed Pfizer’s latest guidance figures. Despite the recent strong performance, he believes the shares can go higher:
“I think Merck, on the other hand, Rob Davis, has a better hand. Stock’s going higher.”
6. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 103
Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) factored into the discussion after Cramer and his co-hosts discussed Pfizer and Merck. The firm’s shares are up by 46% year-to-date and have had a good December so far. During this time period, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has reported several important developments. For instance, the firm announced on December 12th that it had secured the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval for its New Drug Application for the AKEEGA drug to treat patients with certain kinds of prostate cancer. The AKEEGA update followed Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)’s revelation on December 9th that the phase three study of TECVAYLI and DARZALEX FASPRO drugs had shown an 83% reduction in disease risk or death for patients suffering from with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM).
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)’s recent announcements have also been met with analyst enthusiasm as Bank of America raised its share price target to $220 from $204 and kept a Neutral rating on the stock on December 15th. Cramer also noted the firm’s cancer drug portfolio and added that Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)’s decision to spin off its orthopaedics business was the correct one:
“Look, the king of them all though, is JNJ. I mean JNJ is doing everything right plus they’re actually getting rid of the low margin knees. . .
“JNJ was kept down by the plaintiffs bar, in talc. Because their drugs were always the finest, they’ve got the greatest growth. I have to tell you, that company, everyday they think about . .they’re really solving cancers that I thought in my life would never be solved. And they don’t. . .make claims, but they have been phenomenal. . .I am astonished at the cancer work they’ve done.”
5. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 122
Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) has shaped up to be one of the most important stocks when it comes to AI. Like CoreWeave, the firm has positioned itself as an infrastructure provider to AI software firms. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)’s shares are up by a modest 7.5% year-to-date and have dipped by 45% since early September. During this time period, reports have surfaced that have questioned the firm’s ability to timely build its AI data centers for OpenAI. Additionally, analysts have been of a mixed mind, with Goldman Sachs cutting Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)’s share price target to $220 from $320 on December 12th and keeping a Neutral rating on the shares. In its note, the bank shared that the firm experienced revenue and growth shortfalls in its second fiscal quarter and its recent share price performance was reflective of he fact that Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)’s capital expenditure is expected to rise in the absence of near-term revenue growth.
As is evident, Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)’s capital expenditure is the center of focus, and Cramer discussed the expenditure in the context of the bond market:
“I think that Oracle is going to come to its conclusion that, it’s going to come to its senses and realize the bond market won’t let us do anything else.”
4. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 273
As is the case with other technology giants, Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) has positioned itself to be a key player in the AI race. The firm differs from players such as Google and Amazon through the fact that it does not operate a cloud computing business. Yet, while Google, Amazon, and Microsoft spend on AI data centers to bolster their cloud computing capabilities, Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) continues to spend just as much despite not being a major player in the industry. The spending has also seen the focus of analysts, with TD Cowen commenting on December 4th that the firm’s decision to cut back its metaverse spending could counter the increased spending on AI infrastructure. TD Cowen kept a Buy rating and an $810 share price target for Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META)’s shares.
The firm’s infrastructure spending includes a major data center it is building in Louisiana. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) announced on December 4th, 2024, that it was building a $10 billion data center in the state, and recent media reports have suggested that costs have ballooned to $27 billion. During this episode, Cramer and his co-hosts discussed reports of CoreWeave’s Texas data center project struggling, and Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) factored into the discussion:
“Look, the thing that Zuckerberg is doing in Louisiana, if you went down there, the one that’s the size of Queens . . .these are big, hard things to do.”
3. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 44
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s shares are up by 37.9% year-to-date. The firm made an important announcement on Monday when it revealed that it would take $19.5 billion write-down, which includes an $8.5 billion write-down for its EV business. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s latest announcement came amidst new policies that reduce federal support for electric vehicles. As part of the development, the firm will replace the full-electric model of the F-150 with a model that uses an internal combustion engine to power the battery. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) also raised its operating profit guidance to $7 billion from an earlier range of $6 to $6.5 billion.
Before the announcement, Morgan Stanley had set an Equalweight rating and a $14 share price target for Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s shares. Morgan Stanley commented that 2026 could be a tough year for electric vehicles, with some positivity expected in the hybrid segment. Cramer’s previous comments about Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) have praised the firm’s hybrid business, and in this appearance, he discussed the latest announcement:
“Look, hybrid, he knew the hybrid was good, Jim Farley. This was very positive move, I know that the charge is really only a five billion, cash. But this is a clarion call to buy the stock.”
2. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 40
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV)’s shares are up by 22.8% year-to-date. The gains have primarily come on the back of a 31.5% run since November 20th. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) has been closely working with activist investor Elliott Management for more than a year. On December 8th, BMO Capital initiated coverage on the firm and set a $43 share price target along with a Market Perform rating. The firm outlined that Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) was experiencing inflation-driven margin pressures and suffering from a lack of premium options. However, BMO added that the airline did have a robust balance sheet. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV)’s balance sheet, as of September, included $28 billion in total assets, which included $3 billion in cash and $4.3 billion in long-term and current debt.
Cramer discussed Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV)’s price movement and praised the firm’s execution. His comments came before Elliott Management announced in a regulatory filing that it had reduced its stake to. 9.9% which is below the level required to call a special shareholder meeting. The CNBC TV host praised Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV)’s narrative building as well:
“Look I think they came on air and told a pretty good story. The changes that were made were very significant. It’s a good example of execution.”
1. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 332
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a key player in the AI industry due to several factors. These include the firm’s Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing business and its in-house Trainium AI chips. The highly competitive cloud computing industry, which sees investors demand high growth rates, has also affected Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) in 2025. As an example, the shares dipped in August after the firm’s second-quarter earnings saw AWS post a 17.5% revenue growth, which was slower than Microsoft and Google’s cloud growth rates of 39% and 32%, respectively.
AWS has also been the focus of recent analyst coverage for Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s shares. For instance, Guggenheim initiated coverage on December 10th as it set a Buy rating and a $300 share price target. The research firm cited AWS as the reason behind its coverage and shared that the business’s 3.8-year backlog had touched $200 billion in Q2. Cramer also discussed the AWS business. He insisted that the cloud business will drive the narrative, and commented on Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) after BMO Capital raised the share price target to $304 from $300 and kept an Outperform rating, and raised the Q1 2026 AWS cloud growth estimate to 24% from an earlier 23%. Cramer’s optimism is met by hedge fund sentiment as well, with 332 of the 978 hedge funds part of Insider Monkey’s database having disclosed a stake to make Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) the one with the most hedge fund holders:
“Little noticed in the chaos that is the data center, mega, hyper, is a piece put out by BMO today that I thought was really good. BMO is talking about how Amazon Web Services, it’s going to grow to 24 from 23, that would be major. It talks about a lot of growth next year. That is the division that has crushed the stock. Now, again, I’m not pushing any of these stocks. I am saying that if you could get with 30 times earnings, next year’s earnings, with some certainty about AWS growing, then Jassy’s going to get his way out of this thing. It’s going to be terrific. I wish it was about Alexa and how great she is. I wish it was about how they’re going to do same day food, it’s not. It’s about AWS. The growth in AWS is going to surprise and Jassy is going to get there.”
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