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 the disinflationary effects of AI. While the CNBC TV host agrees that AI can help prices drop all over America, he also believes the recent data, which shows rising goods prices and lowered services prices, doesn’t spell good news for America:
“I do think that there is going to be a disinflationary AI. But I also think if you have rising goods prices, and you have lowered service prices. . .well that’s not exactly nirvana for America. We have people making less, costs more. That is not good. I went over every single item of the CPI last night. Just point by point, put em all through, you know get every single, I’m not talking about like oranges, look there’s inflation coming. There is. And, we’re rich. Look, I think that there’s a time. When I lived in my car I looked at every penny, and I’m very lucky now. When I say I’m rich. . .I’m saying that, a rich person doesn’t understand the stuff. They don’t know why people go to Aldi or Dollar General versus going to Kings. . .they don’t understand it. But this stuff is real. And it’s meaningful. And I think that the, the wealth of the people who are on TV betrays us. We’re not in touch with the way that people go to the store.”
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 17th.
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).
10. Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 85
Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) is one of the biggest railroad companies in America. Like its peers, the firm’s shares have also struggled on the stock market. However, until recently, Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)’s shares were actually up 1.5% year-to-date, but recent events have turned the performance into a loss. These include reports that the firm might acquire either CSC or Norfolk Southern to consolidate the rail market. Investors are worried about whether financing the deals could affect the firm’s bottom line. Here is what Cramer said about Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP):
“Yeah I don’t want to give the impression that the rails aren’t great. . .I like Union Pacific too. I like Norfolk Southern because I think, I’m very bullish on industrial. And the industrials so you don’t need to fool around . . .So don’t sell a rail, don’t sell any of these capital equipment companies because I don’t think people realize legislation is about capital equipment.”
The CNBC TV host previously discussed Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)’s business as he briefly commented:
“But Union Pacific’s a very energized company. Jim Vena, serious play. He’s done a great job.”
9. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 40
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT) is one of the largest trucking companies in America. As the firm’s performance depends on economic performance, it’s unsurprising that the shares have lost 13% year-to-date. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT)’s stock is still down by 2.6% since the pre-Liberation Day tariff high. Some factors that have influenced the shares include weak earnings reports on the back of growing stocks. However, Cramer advised viewers against selling the stock:
“. . .I’m very bullish on industrial. And the industrials so you don’t need to fool around. . .things are better for these companies. We saw that with JB Hunt, which I didn’t think had that great a quarter but it was, people regarding as an inflection quarter. So don’t sell a rail, don’t sell any of these capital equipment companies because I don’t think people realize legislation is about capital equipment.”
Previously, Cramer shared that J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:JBHT) was quite popular among retail investors:
“Well what people wanted frankly, they’re buying the transport, they’re buying JB Hunt. They’re buying the most pedestrian of things. Which I’ve got to tell you is really rather amazing again. It’s an indicator of people are really, really bullish. They think that there’s going to be return to trade. That they were too negative during this period.”
8. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 125
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) is Warren Buffett’s investment company. The shares are up by a modest 5.4% year-to-date, and they have lost 11.9% since early May. This performance covers the period since Buffett announced his retirement. Cramer discussed the share price performance since then:
“[On stock underperforming] Boy people are really just. . I know, I mean I was thinking about the fact that they’re selling Bank of America, is that Buffett selling Bank of America or like the number two selling Bank of America. I think the underperformance, you have to shake out the fellow travellers. The people who really just felt, I’m in this for Warren. Because I think that there is a group of [inaudible] who have done incredibly well. He was very unhappy for a while about how the rail was doing. And he made it so it’s the best rail. . . But the people who are leaving are the people who just thought that there was a stock and that stock’s name was Warren Buffett. They don’t realize that there’s just many great businesses that he owns. He is very tax concerned, I think he’s overly tax concerned, he, meaning that I think he waits too long to sell if it’s bad. But I do think that you’re getting a great franchise and you should not leave.”
Cramer commented on Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) just before Buffett’s announcement. Here’s what he said:
“It’s been remarkable how prescient he is. And I remember when you’ve talked about it, kids week, it was an observing thing. He was taking some profits. It’s really interesting. I know David always points out to me, he may not do the actual picks. . .Russell Weiner said do you know that Warren Buffett is now my second largest shareholder? And that’s Dominos. And he said I don’t speak to him but it is, and I said well I don’t know, maybe it’s possible that he’s not, that he, but I went to Becky Quick, because Becky can ask him. But what an informator if you find out that he is your second-largest shareholder.”
7. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 117
Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) is one of the largest domestic banks in America. Its shares have gained 6.6% year-to-date and have recovered all losses since President Trump’s Liberation Day tariff announcement. However, the stock dipped by 3.6% in July after HSBC’s downgrade. Yet, soon, the shares would rise after Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC)’s latest earnings report. Another driving factor behind the somewhat weak share price performance is Berkshire Hathaway’s decision to sell the stock to reduce its investment by more than 30%. Cramer discussed whether Warren Buffett was behind the investment firm’s decision to sell Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC):
“I know, I mean I was thinking about the fact that they’re selling Bank of America, is that Buffett selling Bank of America or like the number two selling Bank of America.”
Previously, Cramer commented in detail about Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC)’s performance after the Berkshire selling:
“Let me ask you something. Why is Bank of America stock still just selling at 13 times earnings? The franchise has been putting up consistently terrific earnings. Brian Moynihan’s doing a great job. I think the stock’s cheap because of the relentless selling from Berkshire Hathaway. One day, Berkshire will finish selling, and when that happens, you’ll be paying a much higher price-to-earnings multiple for this fine bag. My advice: Don’t wait for them to finish. There’ll be a good quarter.”
6. Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 145
Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) is the leading player in America’s ridesharing market. Its shares have gained 43% year-to-date after having enjoyed sizable catalysts from expanding its presence in the robotaxi and autonomous driving markets. Cramer’s comments about Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER) came after the firm announced that it was investing in Lucid Motors:
“[When asked what he thought about Uber’s investmentI mean I, you know could, when I drove a Lucid, it’s absolutely a terrific car. And that’s the extent of what you should do with it. Drive it.
“I think that you need a commitment, like the VW commitment to Rivian is extraordinary. And it still hasn’t, still Rivian is back to where it was [inaudible]. That’s an open ended check from one of the biggest, the biggest car company. So I don’t think that Uber, it’s a dalliance, it’s a dalliance. It’s fun but it’s prurient.”
Previously, the CNBC TV host discussed Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER)’s fundamentals:
“I think that Uber, we’re going to look at the fundamentals, and the fundamentals are excellent. I don’t think it’s going to be contained by $100. I have great ambitions for Uber in my head and think it’ll be up for multiple years, and you should own the stock.”
5. Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 19
Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID) is a pure-play electric vehicle manufacturer that primarily focuses on the high-end electric vehicle market. The firm’s shares are flat year-to-date. However, Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID)’s stock had lost 24% year-to-date until July 16th, primarily on the back of a massive 35% dip in February. So what changed the firm’s fortune? Well, Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID)’s shares jumped by 36% after Uber announced a $300 million investment in the firm as part of a robotaxi deal. Here’s what Cramer said about the investment:
“I mean I, you know could, when I drove a Lucid, it’s absolutely a terrific car. And that’s the extent of what you should do with it. Drive it.
“I think that you need a commitment, like the VW commitment to Rivian is extraordinary. And it still hasn’t, still Rivian is back to where it was [inaudible]. That’s an open ended check from one of the biggest, the biggest car company. So I don’t think that Uber, it’s a dalliance, it’s a dalliance. It’s fun but it’s prurient.”
“I don’t want these. I think that these are all. . .you don’t want to be in them. They don’t have balance sheets to be able to handle what it takes to be a car. . .Although Lucid comes close to being a DeLorean.”
Previously, the CNBC TV host discussed whether Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID) was a suitable long-term investment:
“You’re 21. Let’s put our money with something that is going to make a little more sense than Lucid. I think that if you wanted to be in that area, if you wanted to be in that kind of progressive area, you might go with Rivian, okay. I think Rivian is better than Lucid. Bingo.”
4. Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:RIVN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 41
Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:RIVN) is an electric vehicle company that works with electric cars and trucks. Its shares are flat year-to-date and have lost 21% since late May. The drop in May came after Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:RIVN)’s shares had gained 33% over the past couple of days. The shares jumped after a positive earnings report catalyzed bullish analyst commentary. Cramer commented on the firm’s cars and the Volkswagen investment in the context of Uber investing $300 million in Lucid:
“I think that you need a commitment, like the VW commitment to Rivian is extraordinary. And it still hasn’t, still Rivian is back to where it was [inaudible]. That’s an open ended check from one of the biggest, the biggest car company.
“I don’t know why they’re doing that, it was just, I mean it’s like, you know like I’m watching Rivian yesterday and Rivian was defenstrated. I don’t want these. I think that these are all. . .you don’t want to be in them. They don’t have balance sheets to be able to handle what it takes to be a car. Like look we were trying to buy a Rivian and my wife goes, I got a Rivian. I said look I, call me conservative, I know they have a lot of money in the bank but I look at what happens if things go wrong and no one will fix it, these are not DeLoreans.”
Previously, Cramer discussed Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:RIVN)’s cars:
“Okay, listen. Go test drive one. Don’t own the stock. I really don’t have that much more to say about it because I do think that they went through so much money that it is daunting. How about that? Daunting is a nice word. I’m looking at my research director and he knows when I say daunting, what I really mean is horrible.”
3. MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 29
MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP) is an American rare earth metals company. Trade tensions between the US and China, which have seen China use rare earth metals as leverage, have injected new life into its shares as they have gained 288% year-to-date. MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP)’s shares have gained 112% in July on the back of several catalysts, such as Pentagon and Apple investments. Here’s what Cramer said about the firm:
“MP’s not as big as everyone’s trying to make it out to be. But it’s just so, the Defense Department’s in there, Apple’s in there, they’re gonna get what, look I remember the days when everyone owned Moly. Molycorp. Because that was the predecessor. I remember when Lee Cooper called me and said listen. . .you’ve got to buy MP Materials because of the whole Moly thing. I said Moly lost billions. He goes yes, so did MP. And that’s what’s happening. We need more than just that strip. We need more than that part of California. But I’m sure that we’re gonna do it. It’s a different world. We’ve got such religion again.”
Cramer previously discussed MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP)’s partnership with the Pentagon in detail:
“This morning, MP Materials announced that the Defense Department’s taken a big stake in their company, which controls the largest rare earth mine in the country. The deal, which includes a $1 billion construction loan from a couple of banks along with a separate $150 million loan and a $400 million equity investment from the Defense Department, will ensure that MP can keep developing its Mountain Pass site and build a new rare earth magnet factory essential to our national security. It’s all about having a reliable source of rare earths in order to reduce our dependence on China…
Now, suddenly, we know the strategic value of these rare earths… The Defense Department’s assured us that the United States will be in a better position in the future by putting a price for the Mountain Pass site’s key materials. You know what? It’s an ingenious deal because it would simply cost too much for MP to refine all the rare earth minerals that our country needs by itself. We’re finally getting serious about a national Achilles heel, and it’s not just rare earths. Earlier this week, President Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper.”
2. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 70
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is a healthcare company. While it was one of Cramer’s top stocks for most of this year, this show saw the CNBC TV host take a different tone. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)’s shares fell by 8.5% in July after the firm’s latest earnings results saw it warn about a massive $1 billion hit in 2025 from tariffs. Here’s what Cramer said about the firm:
“I am very upset with Abbott. They’re on tonight. I have supported the company for years and years. It’s the diagnostic business. We’ll have Robert Ford on tonight, it’s not catastrophic because I like the company, long term. But, this is not, this was another thing that happened this morning that I found quite disturbing.
“[On low guidance] Diagnostic, China, uh yeah, so we can talk about that they have even more COVID testing issues, you don’t miss if you’re Abbott Labs.”
Previously, Cramer discussed Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT)’s earnings before the release:
“Then one of my absolute favorite companies, medical device maker, Abbott Labs reports. And you know, I always like to tell you which companies tend to be misinterpreted in a negative way during the earnings season. Abbott’s a textbook example. It bothers me, but there are always sellers who claim to be disappointed. So, if you don’t own any Abbott, may I suggest that you wait to see the numbers, wait for the stock’s opening, wait for the sellers to appear. Patience is a virtue with ABT.”
1. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q1 2025: 75
Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is one of the biggest healthcare benefits companies in America. Its shares have dipped by 24% year-to-date, primarily on the back of a 19% dip in July. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV)’s shares fell after the firm cut its profit forecast to $30 per share from an earlier $34.15 to $34.85 per share. Here’s what Cramer said about the firm:
“They missed. I think we’re finally at the point where people have said, these guys are all going to keep going down so don’t worry about it. Don’t sell. That stock is down much less than I thought it would be. I’m not, I mean that. Like these ones, have been, when they go down, they don’t just go down nine. But this thing has been down for a while. I wouldn’t touch these stocks with a ten-foot pole. They’re just, this is happening before they even eviscerated Medicaid. I don’t think people realize that the thing in that beautiful bill was a huge gift to accelerated depreciation, a huge gift for R&D. And just a house of pain for anything Medicaid.”
GreensKeeper Asset Management mentioned Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) in its Q1 2025 investor letter. Here is what the firm said:
“Rounding out our top 5 performers in Q1 were Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) +17.9% and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) + 15.8%. As mentioned in the last Scorecard, we believe the sell-off in ELV over the past year has been overdone, and the stock is trading at a significant discount to our estimate of its intrinsic value. The recent rebound reflects a partial correction of that mispricing. ICE continues to perform well as a significant portion of its earnings is driven by transaction volume on its exchanges and increasing demand for financial data, both of which generally increase when panic-induced volatility hits the markets.”
While we acknowledge the potential of ELV to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ELV and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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