Jim Cramer Broke Down 16 Stocks Including Pharma Plays for Rising Oil

In this article, we will look at Jim Cramer’s breakdown of 16 stocks, including pharma plays for rising oil. The host of Mad Money said on Wednesday that investors should prepare for rising uncertainty driven by higher oil prices and possible economic slowdown by shifting toward safer, dividend-paying pharmaceutical stocks.

They say when the facts change, we need to change our minds, and a whole lot has changed in the last three and a half weeks since the war with Iran got rolling. The price of oil has surged over 50% year-to-date… And we don’t know how long it’s going to stay elevated. Sooner or later, higher energy costs could do real damage to the rest of the economy. They’ve already made it a lot more difficult for the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates…. All of that is weighing on the stock market, even if we managed some gains today. Long story short, there’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty in this market, and at times, coping with uncertainty carries a great deal of risk.

READ ALSO Buy, Sell, or Hold? Jim Cramer’s Latest 11 Stock Calls and Jim Cramer’s 10 Stock Calls and the Truth About Strong Consumer Spending Despite the Iran Conflict

Cramer turned to interpreting pharma stocks’ charts with the help of Bob Lang, whom he called risk-focused. He said Lang’s view is that investors should look for safer areas of the market to help protect capital, like pharmaceutical stocks. Cramer agreed with that and said Lang believes the economy may be entering the early stages of a slowdown.

Here’s the bottom line: The charts interpreted by Bob Lang suggest that it’s time to buy big, quality pharma names, okay, with bountiful dividends, and that means Pfizer, it means Merck, it means Bristol-Myers. These are textbook slowdown stocks, people. I’m not saying we’ll definitely have an oil shock that’s going to include a slowdown. I’m not as bearish as that. A lot depends on whether the Federal Reserve is willing to cut rates or not. But it’s a real possibility that we do get a slowdown, and I just showed you the kind of stocks that you want to buy.

Our Methodology

For this article, we compiled a list of 16 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on March 25. We listed the stocks in the order that Cramer mentioned them.

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 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).

Jim Cramer Broke Down 16 Stocks, Including Pharma Plays for Rising Oil

16. Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA)

Jim Cramer reviewed Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. Toward the end of the lightning round, a caller asked for Cramer’s thoughts on the stock, and he said:

Okay, it’s an ag stock. We all know that crop protection and seeds are going to be very important this year because of what’s happened to the Gulf. I would continue to own the stock.

Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) provides advanced seeds and trait technologies that are designed to help farmers improve crop yields and protect against weather and pests. The company also offers products like herbicides and insecticides. Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA) in its fourth quarter 2025 investor letter:

During the quarter we liquidated Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA), T-Mobile US, Inc. and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. We exited our position in Corteva Inc. following management commentary around a potential separation of the Seeds and Crop Protection businesses, as we struggle to see a clear value-creation rationale given Corteva already trades at one of the richer multiples in the ag/chem peer group. While the Seeds business (c. two-thirds of profits) may command a premium multiple, this would likely be offset by a materially lower valuation for the Chemicals business, resulting in limited net value unlock. The separation narrative also raises strategic credibility concerns, as it appears inconsistent with prior management messaging around the complementary nature of Seeds and Chemicals on a single platform, as well as the long-term growth potential of higher-margin areas such as biologicals within Crop Protection. WSJ commentary suggesting a separation could be aimed at insulating the Seeds franchise from potential liabilities in the Chemicals business introduces additional uncertainty. At the same time, end-market fundamentals are becoming less supportive. U.S. corn acreage has risen to peak levels, increasing the risk of a sharp price correction if supply proves difficult to absorb, while soybean markets also face challenges given their reliance on exports and lower demand from China. Depressed farm economics over a prolonged period could pressure farmer spending on inputs. Taken together — elevated valuation, strategic uncertainty, and deteriorating agricultural fundamentals — we viewed the risk-reward as less compelling and chose to exit the position. We will be watching developments closely as the Seeds business is a truly unique franchise with high entry barriers and technological innovation.

15. BXP, Inc. (NYSE:BXP)

Jim Cramer reviewed BXP, Inc. (NYSE:BXP) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. A caller asked if office REITs like BXP are “waiting on the Fed to lower interest rates or if there are structural issues with the sector.” Cramer replied:

I think there might be structural issues. More important, you’re only getting 5% yield for what I regard as being a risky situation. I mean, if you’re going to have risk, you got to get like six and a half. I do not, I would not touch that BXP. I just don’t want it. There, again, it’s too hard.

BXP, Inc. (NYSE:BXP) is a fully integrated real estate investment trust that develops, owns, and manages premier workplaces. While discussing relatively cheap S&P 500 stock during the episode aired on September 22, 2025, Cramer mentioned the stock and said:

Now, there’s only one single solitary real estate company that made our list, and that’s BXP. It’s a company, formerly known as Boston Properties, with a portfolio of mostly high-quality office properties in six major cities on the East and West Coast. Now, BXP trimmed its dividend earlier this month, which I thought, it was going to really kill it… But they did say they needed the cash to devote to growth projects, which is why I think the stock bounced right back. Even after that, it’s still got a 3.7% yield.

It is worth noting that, since the above comment was aired, the company’s share price has declined by over 30%.

14. PENN Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PENN)

Jim Cramer reviewed PENN Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PENN) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. A caller asked what a good exit strategy for the stock was, and Cramer advised:

Okay, remember, we do not care about where our stock is coming from. We care about where it is going to. And I don’t think PENN Entertainment is going anywhere. Why? Because I think the whole gambling business isn’t going anywhere, and I don’t want to touch it. So, as far as I’m concerned, [sell, sell, sell].

PENN Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PENN) provides sports content, casino gaming, and online betting experiences through its racetracks, casinos, and mobile apps. In addition, the company offers lot machines, table games, and hospitality services. Invesco Ltd’s Small Cap Value Fund stated the following regarding Penn Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PENN) in its Q4 2025 investor letter:

Penn Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PENN): The company operates physical casinos in the US, along with a growing digital gaming and sports-betting platform. Shares declined after third quarter earnings missed expectations. The company’s announcement ending its partnership with ESPN also seemed to dampen investor sentiment.

13. Applied Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:APLD)

Jim Cramer reviewed Applied Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:APLD) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. A caller inquired about Cramer’s thoughts on the company, and he stated:

You get high-growth digital infrastructure, and I think it’s a very good situation. A lot of people like Applied Digital in the business, and I think they’re good.

Applied Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:APLD) designs, builds, and operates data centers that support high-performance computing and AI workloads. A caller asked for Cramer’s advice on the stock during the February 25 episode, and Cramer responded:

I think Applied Digital’s going to have a breakout quarter, and therefore, you should own the stock. I know it seems like it’s expensive because it has generated a lot of losses. I think those are going to come to a conclusion very, very soon.

12. Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RIGL)

Jim Cramer reviewed Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RIGL) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. When a caller asked about the stock during the lightning round, Cramer said:

Okay, I think we, I have to tell you, I think that this company is real. It’s doing better than people realize. It is speculative. I bless it. I bless it as a spec. You can get one spec, as we say in How to Make Money in Any Market. You can get one spec, and that’s the spec that I would buy for you.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RIGL) is a biotechnology company that creates therapies to help patients with hematologic disorders and cancer. The company offers treatments for conditions such as immune thrombocytopenia and acute myeloid leukemia and is also developing new inhibitors for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

11. Qnity Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:Q)

Jim Cramer reviewed Qnity Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:Q) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. During the lightning round, a caller asked if Cramer thinks the company is a rising star, and he said:

Yes, it is… And thank you for noticing this. This is a big club holding because it was part of the Dupont spin. And I think that it is still inexpensive at 30, 31 times earnings. You are a shrewd observer of what we’re buying and what’s going on. I think the company, which sells materials for semis, is fantastic.

Qnity Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:Q) provides materials and chemical solutions used in the manufacturing of semiconductors and electronic components. During the March 2 episode, Cramer highlighted that it has become one of his “favorite new stocks,” as he stated:

In seventh and eighth places, we’ve got two semiconductor-related names, Teradyne, up 32.8%, and Qnity Electronics, up 31.8%. Teradyne is a semiconductor test and measurement play, while Qnity Electronics is a recent DuPont spinoff, another big Charitable Trust holding, makes materials that are used to produce semiconductors, including some of the most advanced chips out there. While many areas of tech are suffering, the semiconductor complex has been doing terrifically.

In fact, Qnity has become one of my favorite new stocks. Long buried within DuPont and underappreciated, this business is finally getting the attention it deserves as an independent entity that’s in the materials business. Last week, the company reported a blowout quarter. It’s been an incredibly successful breakup for Qnity, also has been for DuPont, which has been performing very well since the spinoff. That’s legacy, DuPont.

10. Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX)

Jim Cramer reviewed Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. Cramer commented on the company’s latest quarterly results, as he said:

This morning, we got a strong quarter from Paychex, one of the largest payroll processors in America, with a big outsourced human resources business. This is a stock that strangely has been crushed by AI disruption worries, I think they’re overblown, and slowdown worries which, well, because the way the war plays out, maybe. Going into the quarter this morning, this thing was down nearly 44% from its highs last summer, even as the company keeps putting up solid results. And today, Paychex reported a healthy top and bottom line beat, and management reiterated most of the full-year forecast. Initially, this stock was up 6%, then it pulled back down and then it ended up closing over 3%. Remember, this stock is at $93 and change, and it was $161 in June of last year… Don’t forget, almost a 5% yield. Very good growth.

Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX) provides human capital management solutions, including payroll processing, payroll tax and compliance, HR administration, benefits, and workforce management for small to mid-sized businesses.

9. Hinge Health, Inc. (NYSE:HNGE)

Jim Cramer reviewed Hinge Health, Inc. (NYSE:HNGE) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. A caller asked what Cramer thinks of the stock, and he said:

When we did a profile of it, I said you should buy it between $30 and $40. It looked good. I reiterate that this is a very good healthcare company… This is actually a really good time to buy it. It’s a very recession-proof stock, too, so I think you got a good one.

Hinge Health, Inc. (NYSE:HNGE) develops digital health software focused on musculoskeletal care, covering injury recovery, chronic pain management, and post-surgical rehabilitation. During the February 26 episode, a caller asked about the stock, and Cramer showed a bullish sentiment toward it. The Mad Money host commented:

Oh, we like Hinge Health. We like Hinge Health. It’s just kind of when like Medline the other day, it’s just going to quietly go higher. It’s up three points today. That’s a very big move. But when I see a stock like Hinge Health, I just say, okay, look, it’s got a model for patient education to help the patients. They seem like level-headed people, and I just say buy that one and put it away. I think that was going to do well for a long time.

8. Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH)

Jim Cramer reviewed Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. During the episode, a caller sought Cramer’s opinion on the stock, and he said:

Alright, Jason Hollar is doing a great job. I got too enthusiastic about it. I’ll remonstrate on Friday. I got, I started buying it too soon for the trust. We bought some more today. I think it’s an amazing stock. It fell really hard. I do not think there’s anything wrong with Cardinal. If anything, I think it’s gotten better than when we spoke to Jason last time. So, I want you to buy it and buy it, get this, aggressively.

Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) supplies branded, generic, and specialty medicines and provides pharmacy and specialty drug services. The company also makes and distributes medical and surgical products and procedure kits. During the January 23 episode, a caller mentioned that they liked the stock and asked for Cramer’s opinion. He responded:

Oh, Jason Hollar. You know it’s funny… I’m out there. You got all these great drug companies, and who am I most blown away with? Hollar and Cardinal Health, and that urology purchase, the new purchase it just made. You’re dead right. CAH, I can see that stock going to $300.

7. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY)

Jim Cramer reviewed Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. Cramer explained why the Charitable Trust owns the stock, as he remarked:

Finally, there’s Bristol-Myers. Okay, this is a stock I like so much that we own it for the Charitable Trust. It was on a massive run from November through February, but then this month, it’s just, it stalled. Still, Bristol-Myers is up a quiet 28% since the end of October. In recent weeks, it’s pulled back, but today it broke out above the 50-day moving average. I was surprised. It was a really nice run. Lang thinks this recent action here is merely a healthy correction. When you own something, you never feel it’s healthy.

When you look at the Chaikin Money Flow, wow, okay, it’s still pretty strong. Also, like Merck, the stock’s recent pullbacks have represented terrific buying opportunities. And Lang thinks that this time is no different. Doesn’t hurt that Bristol-Myers has a strong 4.3% yield… Right now, the stock’s at $58.94. Lang sees it making a run to anywhere from $66 to $70. Again, that doesn’t sound very impressive, but if Lang’s right, and we’re heading into a harsh slowdown, this is exactly the kind of stock that you want to own, something with a solid yield protection and the possibility of upside even in a difficult economy, which is why we own it.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) develops and sells medicines for cancer, cardiovascular, immune, and neurological conditions. Its products include well-known drugs like Eliquis, Opdivo, and Orencia.

6. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)

Jim Cramer reviewed Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) while breaking down 16 stocks for a market facing higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. Cramer was bullish on the stock as he stated:

Next, let’s check out the daily chart of Merck, which, remember, is a lot based on Keytruda, an amazing oncological drug. Lang says this is another stock with good money flow… Chaikin Money Flow. It’s in very bullish territory…. Money managers are happily accumulating the shares. Merck’s quietly rallied 39% since the end of October with an intact uptrend and a series of higher highs and higher lows. Not long ago, Merck pulled back below its 50-day moving average, but over the last couple of days, it’s broken out again that key level. It’s very bullish.

Of course, Merck has still pulled back significantly from its February highs. But if you look at the chart, Lang points out that recent sell-offs of about 3 to 8% have been ideal entry points in Merck. And that’s exactly what we had this month before the stock caught a bid this week. I want you to wait for the next one. I think that this one’s happened. There’ll be another one. It’s like a bus. There’ll be another one coming around. Meanwhile, stock sports a nearly 3% yield. Merck is currently trading at $119 and change.

Lang could see it running all the way to $130 before year-end. That may not sound like very much, but if we’re really going into an oil shock-induced slowdown, I think this one’s likely an outperformer. Today, we learned that Merck is acquiring a clinical-stage cancer drug company for $6.7 billion. They’re picking up an exciting potential treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia here, and the market lapped it up. I was surprised because it doesn’t have any earnings.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a healthcare company that provides a wide range of human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health solutions. We recently covered the stock while discussing the S&P 500’s most profitable stocks. You can read about it here.

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