On Friday’s episode of Mad Money, host Jim Cramer shared his thoughts on another intense week during earnings season as he turned his attention to several known companies that would be reporting their quarterly results.
“Now we’re still in earnings Hades, but at least it’s getting a little cooler out there. That’s right, we’ve now gotten over the hump of the big-time growth stocks, the hyperscalers, but there’s plenty left.”
READ ALSO: Jim Cramer Spoke About These 18 Stocks and 13 Stocks Jim Cramer Shared His Views On.
Cramer encouraged viewers to dive directly into his game plan. He did mention that several uncertainties still hang over the market. He raised questions about potential developments in trade negotiations with China over the weekend, admitting, “I don’t know.” He also wondered aloud whether any progress would be made with Canada, saying, “I hope so.” Turning to Mexico, Cramer noted that it had just received another 90-day reprieve, but emphasized that “everything’s on the table as usual.”
“So here’s the bottom line: There you have it. Not a big week, but then again, what could have been bigger than this week? And I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted.”
Our Methodology
For this article, we compiled a list of 15 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episodes of Mad Money aired on August 1. 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).
15 Stocks in Jim Cramer’s Game Plan for This Week
15. The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. During the episode, Cramer showed skepticism about the company. He commented:
“Finally, on Friday, we hear from the bedraggled Wendy’s. Now, last time we got weak numbers and a dividend cut. Could it get worse? I gotta tell you, the competition in that business is so rife, I can’t guarantee any numbers from that company.”
Wendy’s (NASDAQ:WEN) operates, develops, and franchises quick-service restaurants focused on hamburgers, and also manages a portfolio of owned and leased real estate properties. A caller inquired about the company stock during the July 16 episode, and Cramer said:
“Look, other than the fact that my wife loves Wendy’s so much, it’s just ridiculous, I’m not liking the stock. I mean, you know, they cut the dividend already. The dividend now is 5%. There’s something very wrong at Wendy’s, and the answer is you do not want to touch it. That happens to be a very tough industry, the burger industry. You want to stay away from Wendy’s.”
14. Pinterest, Inc. (NYSE:PINS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 86
Pinterest, Inc. (NYSE:PINS) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer highlighted that he expects good numbers from the company. He remarked:
“What else? I believe that Pinterest will report a number that puts it in the elite online advertising formats, with, by the way, Reddit. Now, if we’re talking social media sites to advertise on, Pinterest is by far the most family-friendly, and while the market’s not as big as it used to be, it still counts.”
Pinterest (NYSE:PINS) operates a visual discovery platform where users search, save, and shop for ideas across categories like food, home, and fashion. The company also provides advertising solutions that connect brands with users through targeted, auction-based ad placements. Bristlemoon Global Fund stated the following regarding Pinterest, Inc. (NYSE:PINS) in its Q1 2025 investor letter:
“We also exited our position in Pinterest, Inc. (NYSE:PINS), which had been a source of funding for us over the past two quarters. We wrote about Pinterest in our Q4 2024 quarterly letter in the context of lessons in position sizing, and our view on the business has not changed since then. Our decision to exit PINS was twofold: to upgrade the quality of the portfolio, and to reduce the Fund’s overall exposure to digital advertising names. While the company delivered a good Q4 2024 result and a strong Q1 2025 guide, our conviction in the stock had declined over time due to execution issues.
Pinterest is entirely dependent on advertising, and the current farcical reciprocal tariff regime could prove extremely detrimental to digital advertising demand. As an experimental channel, advertisers are likely to cut their budgets on Pinterest before they reduce their allocation to core channels like Meta. And given the extent of the selloff in advertising exposed names, we have a stronger preference for Meta and AppLovin at these levels as they have more resilient core businesses and greater optionality.”
13. MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29
MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer discussed the stock during the episode and said:
“Thursday night, we’ll find out more about the deal that the US government made with MP Materials, that’s that rare earth minerals company, as it reports. There’s plenty more to learn, and I think it’ll all be positive because the White House doesn’t want it to be hostage to China for these important materials. Don’t forget, Apple’s in there too, buying recycled minerals. We went to see Wynn Resorts earlier this year, and I thought the story was a great one.”
MP Materials (NYSE:MP) produces rare earth materials and magnetic products, operating a major mining and processing facility and manufacturing magnetic precursors. When a caller asked about the future of the stock during the July 23 episode, Cramer replied:
“But they’ve got tons of EBITDA. No, look, I mean, the stock has moved to 61. Now, I have done more work on it, and I really think that I was a little, you know, I wasn’t negative, but I think there’s even more upside, and I think you’re onto something really big.”
12. Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 60
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer discussed the company CEO’s actions during the episode and commented:
“Next, I want to hear from Warner Bros. Discovery in the morning because CEO David Zaslav has been doing a lot to reorganize the company and pay down debt. This stock’s been moving up as we’re getting more facts about the impending breakup, and the balance sheet improves.”
Warner Bros. (NASDAQ:WBD) is a media and entertainment company that produces and distributes film, television, and streaming content, and offers pay-TV, gaming, and licensed experiences. When a caller asked about the stock during a May episode, Cramer said:
“Here’s my feeling, all right, David Zaslav runs Warner Brothers Discovery. He’s done the first thing absolutely right. He has made that balance sheet to be palatable. Now he just has to break out of the hell that is Linear and be thinking about all the new exciting things that could be done. I want you to stay long on those couple hundred. I would even be tempted, dare I say…. I would actually buy the stock. That’s right. I would buy Warner Brothers Discovery. I’m willing to stick my head out and see what happens.”
11. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 119
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer highlighted that his Charitable Trust sold a small part of its stock holding at a substantial profit. He said:
“Thursday, we’re waiting for the numbers from a club name, Eli Lilly, with baited breath, frankly, because of the horrendous numbers from their only real GLP-1 competitor, Novo Nordisk. We don’t know if that’s happening because Lilly’s taking share from the poorly run Novo, or if companies are seeing a peak in these revolutionary weight loss drugs. My presumption is that it could be a little bit of both. I’m concerned that Lilly might be a little diluted because Novo cut prices on Wegovy pretty substantially. Now, we sold a little this week for the Charitable Trust, a huge gain. Give me a break.”
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) develops and markets pharmaceuticals for conditions including diabetes, obesity, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and neurological diseases. The company’s portfolio includes treatments across endocrinology, oncology, immunology, and neuroscience.
10. e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE:ELF)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29
e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE:ELF) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer noted that he has high expectations for the stock, as he commented:
“After we close, we get two more companies that I like very much, and I bet they’ll give us good numbers. That’s Dutch Bros and e.l.f. Beauty. These two renegades, young companies that have disrupted the coffee and cosmetic business, wow, they got a lot of room to grow and take share, and that’s exactly what they’re going to do. Again, good stocks.”
e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF) develops and sells cosmetics and skincare products across multiple categories, including eye, lip, face, and body care. In a March episode of Squawk on the Street, Cramer mentioned the company and said:
“And plus I mean, it’s just been a relentless, you know, Elf has been terrible. . . .This is a very challenged group and you got to be careful about cosmetics. . . But I want to stay away from cosmetics nine ways to Sunday. Anything cosmetics is just no place to be.”
Since the above comment was aired, the stock is up nearly 78% at the time of writing.
9. Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 47
Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer shared positive comments about the company during the episode, as he said:
“After we close, we get two more companies that I like very much, and I bet they’ll give us good numbers. That’s Dutch Bros and e.l.f. Beauty. These two renegades, young companies that have disrupted the coffee and cosmetic business, wow, they got a lot of room to grow and take share, and that’s exactly what they’re going to do. Again, good stocks.”
Dutch Bros (NYSE:BROS) operates and franchises drive-thru shops under the Dutch Bros and Blue Rebel brands, and provides coffee, energy drinks, and other beverages. When a caller asked for advice on the stock during the July 11 episode, Cramer responded:
“Let’s do this, let’s hold. It’s a very small part of whatever cost they have. Dutch Bros is in major expansion mode. You know, I think it’s terrific. I’ve had Christine Barone on the show many, many times… and I feel like the stock at $63, not necessarily a great level. I would wait till it comes down a little. Perhaps when it reports, there might be some sellers. They don’t report till August. Don’t be in a hurry, you have a nice gain. No need to add more stock right here.”
8. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 75
McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer mentioned the stock and said that it has been “out of sync” with the company. He commented:
“On Wednesday morning, we hear from a couple of iconic companies reporting that I like, Disney and McDonald’s… As for McDonald’s, the stock has been out of sync with McDonald’s the company, which has gotten a lot better lately with some new offerings, limited ones. I think it’s a buy.”
McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald’s brand, and provides a menu of burgers, chicken items, fries, beverages, desserts, and breakfast options. Cramer mentioned the company on July 10 and said:
“Finally, consider McDonald’s. Now, here’s another company that many managers seem to think has lost its way, with the stock going from a… positive performer to a real dog of late. This morning, Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy. What caught my eye here? I’ve been waiting for someone who didn’t care for the stock to go positive. In other words, that person’s been right, and that’s what we got when analyst Christine Chow went positive.
Why? Well, for the same reason why you always have to buy the stock of McDonald’s when it goes out of favor. Mickey D’s has, and I quote, ‘the excellent report, the scale, marketing, digital advantage to successfully navigate through this environment.”
7. The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. During the episode, Cramer called the company “iconic” and remarked:
“On Wednesday morning, we hear from a couple of iconic companies reporting that I like, Disney and McDonald’s. Now the former has just, well, I gotta tell you, it’s moved up very nicely, but it’s starting to give back some of those gains. I think Disney+ will be good. Old-fashioned TV led by sports gotten a little better. Theme parks continue to hum. Start paying attention to cruises. They will make a ton of money.”
Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) creates and distributes film, TV, and streaming content under brands like Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and ESPN. In addition, the company operates theme parks, resorts, cruises, and licensed merchandise businesses. During the July 15 episode, when a caller inquired about the stock, Cramer replied:
“Okay, Disney’s had a real rip-snorting rally from the bottom, but it’s still only up 6.8%. It’s got a good movie slate coming, only sells at 20 times earnings, and the theme parks are doing incredibly well. I think the answer is absolutely. I think it’s a very good long-term holding and I encourage you to buy it right here, right now.”
6. Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 60
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer noted that when the company reports, the stock usually declines. He said:
“We also get numbers from the always reliable Marriott. Now, I do want to point out that when this great hotelier reports, its stock often goes down, even if the numbers are good. Usually, though, that’s a buying opportunity. But let’s wait until the day after before we pull the trigger.”
Marriott (NASDAQ:MAR) operates, franchises, and licenses a broad portfolio of hotel, residential, and timeshare brands, ranging from luxury to extended stay. The company’s portfolio spans well-known names like The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, Sheraton, and Courtyard by Marriott. Artisan Partners stated the following regarding Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) in its Q1 2025 investor letter:
“We exited Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR), a multinational hospitality company, after a successful multiyear investment campaign. Marriott is a prime example of how we aim to use volatility to our advantage by investing in quality businesses at lower prices. When we initiated our position in March 2020during the COVID crash, its P/E multiple had collapsed from the mid-20s to the high teens, which offered a sufficient margin of safety, in our estimation, to take on the position in an iconic, long lived global franchise with competitive advantages to peers, value conscious management, a flexible financial structure and cash producing capabilities. At the time it was tough to see travel picking up again, though we believed it was only a matter of time. Since that time, travel has been one of the strongest areas of the economy, and Marriott’s stock price is up more than three-fold from its March 2020 lows.”
5. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 99
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer mentioned the company during the episode and said:
“There’s another one, that I’m not so sure of, reporting at the same time, though, Pfizer. We need to see some really dramatic results here from the clinical trials like the ones that Pfizer picked up when they bought the Seagen at the end of 2023. It’s enough time to see more than we’ve seen already, I gotta tell you that. And they better hurry up because the shareholder base is getting very restive, and who knows what the president has… against this industry.”
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) develops and sells biopharmaceutical products, including vaccines, treatments for infectious diseases, oncology therapies, and biosimilars. When a caller asked for advice on the stock during the July 23 episode, he replied:
“I can’t ask you to do that because we are still on the verge of finding out what the Seagen acquisition does. Let’s give Dr. Bourla two more quarters, two more quarters, and then… we’re going to fish or cut bait, okay? Not yet. Two more quarters.”
4. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer mentioned that he expects “one more good quarter” from the company. He said:
“The once erratic Caterpillar has now become a smooth secular grower thanks to former CEO now chairman, Jim Umpleby. We used to think the CAT was impossible to gain. Now, I’m telling you, I think it’ll print one more good quarter as it rides the tailwinds of infrastructure spending and reshoring in this country. I like it.”
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) designs and manufactures construction, mining, and energy equipment, including diesel engines, gas turbines, and locomotives. The company also provides financial, leasing, logistics, and digital services to support its machinery and global dealer network. During the July 15 episode, when a caller brought up the company and noted that housing could benefit from an economic rebound, Cramer responded:
“I think, you know what, I gotta tell you something… I mean, the primarily not housing, but you’re absolutely right. You have to have housing. Vulcan Materials is actually more of a play, as is Martin Marietta Materials. However, Caterpillar is an ancillary to that. Caterpillar’s done incredibly well this year. I will miss Jim Umpleby, who’s stepped up to chairman, but I think he left Caterpillar in the best hands I’ve ever seen the stock in. It’s a buy, and I think you will do quite well. Now, at this point, I would wait till after the quarter, which is August 5th. You don’t need to get ahead of it.”
3. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE:DD)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 64
DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE:DD) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer said that the stock’s bull case is “very straightforward,” as he commented:
“Tuesday morning, we get results from DuPont, which we own for the Charitable Trust, and we need to see if that breakup of this company is on track. We think DuPont is dramatically undervalued, but we feel very lonely in this one. That doesn’t bother me because I think the bull case here is very straightforward. The parts are worth dramatically more than the whole, which makes this an ideal breakup story. Companies that announce breakups like DuPont and another investing club name, Honeywell, fall into this kind of purgatory funk while the parts are being divvied up. So they require patience, but I bet you’ll be rewarded.”
DuPont de Nemours (NYSE:DD) delivers advanced materials and solutions for industries such as semiconductors, electronics, automotive, and healthcare that support applications from chip fabrication to water purification. The company’s portfolio includes specialty silicones, photopolymer systems, adhesives, and performance materials.
2. Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 77
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer called it one of the “hottest stocks,” as he commented:
“After the close Monday, we hear from the most controversial stock in the entire market, and that’s Palantir Technologies, the AI-fueled software company has become one of the hottest stocks there is with an almost cult-like shareholder base led by the messianic CEO Alex Karp. I predict a total blowout that will smoke the shorts because Karp’s still getting a ton of business and repeat business from everything, from consumer packaged goods to the federal government. It’s growing like a weed.”
Palantir (NASDAQ:PLTR) develops software platforms like Gotham, Foundry, and Apollo that enable data integration, analysis, and operational decision-making across sectors, including intelligence, defense, and enterprise operations. The company posted its earnings on August 4, reporting an EPS of $0.16, outperforming the estimates by $0.02. The company’s revenue was up 47.5% year-over-year at $1 billion and beat estimates by $60.5 million. Palantir (NASDAQ:PLTR) expects revenue between $1.083 billion – $1.087 billion for the third quarter.
1. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 125
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. During the episode, Cramer started his game plan with the stock and said:
“Saturday morning, we get results from Berkshire Hathaway. It’s going to be a little different this year with Greg Abel running the place. We’re hearing some grumblings of late about the performance of the stock, to which I say, are you kidding me? Warren Buffett’s about to retire, CEO, of course, the stock’s not going to do anything as well as it used to, but even with Buffett taking a step back, we can still care about Berkshire, the company, with its amazing properties, by the way, including Burlington Northern, the railroad. And if the conglomerate has a good quarter, the stock’s going to run. So let’s just back down a little bit from the negative.”
Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK-B) is a diversified holding company with operations that include insurance, railroads, energy, manufacturing, retail, and services. The company’s businesses range from utilities and industrial products to consumer goods, logistics, aviation, and automobile retail. It reported earnings on August 2. Berkshire Hathaway’s (NYSE:BRK-B) operating earnings for Q2 were down 3.8% year-over-year at $11.16 billion, and revenue of $92.52 billion was down by 1.2%.
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