Jim Cramer, host of Mad Money, told viewers on Friday that this week is one they cannot afford to ignore, as he called it genuinely consequential for the direction of the market.

“Many times in my career, I’ve heard people claim that a week was pivotal, as if it can change the direction of the entire market. Next week, no hyperbole, is pivotal. It’s significant. I’m willing to make it a free-fire zone of superlatives, and here’s why. We have not only a Fed meeting, not only the non-farm employment report, but we also have earnings… In short, next week determines the market’s direction for the duration or at least the rest of the summer.”

READ ALSO: 13 Stocks Jim Cramer Looked At and Jim Cramer Weighed in on These 17 Stocks.

Cramer pointed to Wednesday, when the Federal Open Market Committee will hold its meeting, followed by a press conference from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. He expects Powell to maintain the current course on interest rates and may offer cautionary remarks regarding the slow effect of tariff reductions on inflation. Cramer also predicted that Powell will reaffirm his intention to serve out his full term, which extends to May of next year.

Turning to Friday, Cramer highlighted the release of the non-farm payroll report. He emphasized the need for continued job growth and wage stability. If wages climb too quickly, Cramer said, it will undercut any argument for interest rate cuts, and President Trump would be unable to publicly push Powell in that direction. However, if the report shows weakness, Cramer warned that the administration might begin floating the idea of a “Fed Chairman in waiting” as a way to pressure Powell to step down before his term is up.

“The bottom line: If we get through this week, with takeovers that would’ve been unheard of under Biden, along with good earnings and no pickup in inflation, and maybe some big trade deals, look for the average to make more record highs. I know it’s a big gauntlet. I think we’d make it through despite a huge degree of difficulty. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back either way.”

Our Methodology

For this article, we compiled a list of 13 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episodes of Mad Money aired on July 25. We listed the stocks in the order that Cramer mentioned them. We also provided hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the first quarter of 2025, which was taken from Insider Monkey’s database of 1,000 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).

13 Stocks on Jim Cramer’s Game Plan This Week

13.  Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 94

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan this week. Cramer finished his game plan with the company and remarked:

“Alright then, to wrap things up, we have Exxon and Chevron reporting… I have no idea what Exxon will say. Either way, I think oil’s headed lower thanks to tepid demand from China, actually helped by more pumping in Venezuela. I’d like to know what everybody thinks about that.”

Exxon (NYSE:XOM) engages in the exploration, production, and sale of oil, natural gas, fuels, petrochemicals, and specialty products. In a June episode, a caller inquired about the company, and Cramer replied:

“Okay, I’ll tell you how I feel about the oil business. I don’t like it, but I do like the dividends. Because of the dividends, I’m willing to bless them. But if they didn’t have good dividends, believe me, I wouldn’t go near the group because I think that the group is just not in good shape.”

12. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 81

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan this week. Cramer discussed the company in light of its legal battle with Exxon, and commented:

“Alright then, to wrap things up, we have Exxon and Chevron reporting. With Chevron coming right off its legal victory against Exxon, I regard it as a victory, a victory that let them buy Hess, I expect Chevron to raise numbers, especially now that the president’s allowed it to restart pumping in Venezuela.”

Chevron (NYSE:CVX) is an integrated energy company involved in the exploration, production, transportation, refining, and marketing of oil, natural gas, and petrochemicals. The company is also involved in renewable fuels, carbon capture, and the manufacturing of industrial additives and plastics. On July 8, a caller asked about the company, and noted its rising dividends and progress toward finalizing the Hess acquisition. Cramer responded:

“You were totally right. I’ve gotta tell you, they get that Hess deal closed, and you must own the stock. You know, Jeff and I have been talking… Jeff Marks, trying to figure out the energy sector. I think you’re onto something. Chevron will be a winner. Mike is a winner. I like your call…”