Jim Cramer, the host of Mad Money, said Thursday that consumer-focused stocks pushed the market higher even as major technology names dragged on performance.
“The consumer cavalry got here just in time to give us what looks to be the beginning of a Santa Claus rally. That’s the only way to describe what worked today. Everything involving consumer spending couldn’t come at a better time because tech’s been faltering. We needed something big to replace it… Let me set the scene. For most of the year, we’ve had oh woe is the narrative consumer, right? I mean, oh, consumer’s doing so poorly. Higher unemployment. True. Inflation kept the consumer on the sidelines. We kept thinking that they were just decelerating.”
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Cramer said he was pleased that market attention shifted away from data center valuations, which he said have become difficult to understand as artificial intelligence trading grows more speculative. He added that Wall Street does not respond well to valuations that are hard to explain. He noted that the consumer price index fell to a four-year low. He explained that inflation had been draining consumer confidence and punishing stocks tied to spending. The latest numbers suggested that price pressures may have peaked and are now easing in a meaningful way. He went on to point out that gasoline prices have dropped sharply, used car prices are down by high single-digit percentages, and many goods are now priced at levels that allow sales to move again. He also mentioned that while not captured directly in the CPI, home prices are falling as well.
“The bottom line: The CPI number was terrific this morning. Consumer spending looks to be alive and well, and it’s a huge win for the stock market. Best of all, it’s a reminder that we can still rally big without tech, thank heavens. And when we get tech rallying, and OpenAI gets its money, so that story’s out of the way, it’s going to be all the sweeter.”
Our Methodology
For this article, we compiled a list of 8 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on December 18. We listed the stocks in the order that Cramer mentioned them. 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).
Jim Cramer Talked About 8 Tech and Consumer Sector Stocks
8. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 166
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is one of the tech and consumer sector stocks that Jim Cramer talked about. Cramer mentioned the company during the stock, as he said:
“Apple might be hurt by higher memory prices from Micron, as we heard just last night… but a wealthier consumer may also buy more phones.”
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) manufactures and sells devices such as the iPhone, Mac, iPad, along with its line-up of wearables and accessories. The devices are supported by the company’s app ecosystem, AppleCare, and cloud tools. Cramer called it a “buyback monster” during the December 17 episode, as he remarked:
“Second, don’t forget that Apple, the second-largest company in the world, also happens to be a buyback monster, having shrunk its share count by 33.7% since the end of 2015. The stock’s up 933% over that same period. I always say own Apple, don’t trade it, so tonight, I just want to point out that this is a $4 trillion company that still managed to repurchase more than a third of its shares over the past decade.”
7. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 332
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is one of the tech and consumer sector stocks that Jim Cramer talked about. Cramer made a note of his appreciation of the company’s e-commerce business, as he commented:
“Let’s not forget there’s a lot of consumer in tech. Amazon, for example, is more than Amazon Web Services, even though Wall Street only seems to talk about that. Remember, they still have this e-commerce website that you’re on every minute, and that’s a huge, giant tailwind in this backdrop.”
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) sells consumer goods and digital content through online and physical stores, provides advertising and subscription services, operates Amazon Web Services for cloud computing, develops electronic devices, produces media content, and offers programs supporting third-party sellers and content creators. Cramer discussed the company during the December 17 episode and stated:
“These days, we’re constantly hearing about what I call these Lazy Susan deals, except they’re being celebrated as good news for both parties. Today, for example, we learned that OpenAI is in some talks to raise at least $10 billion from Amazon, some of which could be spent on Amazon’s AI chips. We heard applause for this all day. Basically, Amazon’s giving OpenAI at least $10 billion, even as OpenAI has a very stretched balance sheet with huge obligations that dramatically exceed its ability to bring in cash.
In return, OpenAI will spend that money on Amazon’s chips instead of maybe using NVIDIA’s. Doesn’t that raise some eyebrows?… Amazon’s a serious company. I don’t know why it would pay OpenAI to use its own chips. I found the whole thing quizzical… I know that Amazon Web Services and OpenAI had an existing partnership from early November, where OpenAI committed $38 billion for a multi-year deal to run its workloads in AWS. Does Amazon’s $10 billion payment to OpenAI help OpenAI pay for that agreement, too? Now, it’s entirely possible that people want to be involved with Sam Altman’s OpenAI so badly that they’re willing to invest in that company to get the money right back. But I’m growing ever more concerned that these kinds of deals… I’m starting to think that OpenAI is not that special with no moat around ChatGPT, and the deals are bad.”
6. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 49
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) is one of the tech and consumer sector stocks that Jim Cramer talked about. Cramer showed his admiration for the company’s management, as he commented:
“Investing Club holding Texas Roadhouse gained 1.6%. Williams-Sonoma, we know how much we like those guys, Laura Alber, that gained 2%. Target edged up 0.46%. Kohl’s finished up 1%. Look, you got to start somewhere.”
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) sells cookware, kitchen tools, home furnishings, decor, bedding, lighting, rugs, and personalized or custom home products. Cramer highlighted the company during the December 17 episode and stated:
“How about two I really like right here: Williams-Sonoma and Gap. Their tariff hit is pretty variable and pretty covered. These are all moving targets, but these two companies are firing on all cylinders. Williams-Sonoma is even guiding for a modest year-over-year increase in operating margins at the midpoint despite the tariffs.”
5. Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) is one of the tech and consumer sector stocks that Jim Cramer talked about. Cramer called it one of the “retail winners,” as he stated:
“Retail’s such a huge portion of this economy, it can mask the questionable kinds of transactions we’ve been seeing at the highest level of tech. Consider the retail winners today. There’s Darden, that’s the owner of Olive Garden. It vaulted nearly 2%. Yes, the numbers from Olive Garden look great.”
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) owns and operates full-service restaurants under brands such as Olive Garden, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The Capital Grille, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, LongHorn Steakhouse, and others. LRT Capital Management stated the following regarding Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter:
“Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) stands as the preeminent operator in the full-service dining industry, managing a portfolio of some of the most recognizable and successful brands in American casual and fine dining. The company’s collection of differentiated restaurant concepts, led by the iconic Olive Garden, has established Darden as a category-defining enterprise. Through a disciplined focus on operational excellence, leveraging immense scale, and a prudent capital allocation strategy, Darden has built a formidable competitive moat and a durable platform for compounding shareholder value.
The cornerstone of Darden’s competitive advantage is its unmatched scale. As one of the world’s largest full-service restaurant companies, it possesses significant cost advantages across its supply chain, enabling it to procure high-quality ingredients at costs that smaller competitors and independent restaurants cannot match. This scale also provides substantial leverage in marketing, real estate, and technology, allowing for sophisticated data analytics that inform everything from menu optimization to site selection. This data driven approach results in a superior guest experience and operational efficiencies that consistently drive industry-leading performance. The strength of its individual brands, particularly the cash-flow-generating powerhouse Olive Garden, provides a stable foundation that funds investment across the entire portfolio…” (Click here to read the full text)
4. NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 89
NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) is one of the tech and consumer sector stocks that Jim Cramer talked about. Cramer mentioned the stock while discussing consumer trends, as he said:
“If the Fed cuts rates, the consumer should spend even more, hence why so many consumer stocks have been roaring since last week’s Fed meeting. Of course, you got to ask yourself if the move is sustainable. I don’t know. Tonight, Nike looks terrible, but that could be, a lot of that is China. I think that the trend of lower prices, though, is just starting.”
NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) is an athletic and casual footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories company that sells its products under brands, including Nike, Jordan, and Converse. During the December 12 episode, Cramer said that he is worried about the company’s “old inventory,” as he remarked:
“Next up, I like Thursday… After the close is the biggest night of the week when CNBC Investing Club position, Nike reports, and FedEx also issues its quarterly numbers. Now, I told people listening to the club call today that I think it’s still too soon to make a big swing at Nike. I’m not doing that yet because the company was so messed up, much more than we thought before Elliott Hill came in, the new CEO, that was a year ago. But it’s been that tough to turn around. I do like that we have the World Cup next year. A good showcase ahead. But it’s the old inventory that I worry about.”
3. Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 183
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) is one of the tech and consumer sector stocks that Jim Cramer talked about. Cramer was bullish on the stock during the episode, as he stated:
“I am glad to hear tonight, though, according to the Wall Street Journal, that OpenAI is trying to raise a $100 billion at an $830 billion valuation. That’s up from $750 billion yesterday. Not bad, huh? If it can raise $100 billion at that valuation, well, then the company can keep building out data centers aggressively. And stocks like NVIDIA and Broadcom should be bought tomorrow.”
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) supplies semiconductor devices and infrastructure software, including networking, connectivity, and storage solutions. The company’s products are used for applications in data centers, telecommunications, broadband, smartphones, industrial systems, and AI networking. During the December 15 episode, Cramer noted that he trusts the company CEO and that he has never been let down by him. The Mad Money host said:
“Last week turned brutal for the AI data center stocks when we got this pair of poorly received quarters from Oracle on Wednesday and then Broadcom on Thursday night. Oracle plunged 10.8% the next day. Broadcom dropped 11.4% on Friday. Dragged the whole group down with them. Now, as I mentioned in my Sunday think piece for the CNBC investing club, I’m not that worried about Broadcom, which we own for the Charitable Trust. Broadcom reported a healthy top and bottom-line beat. They gave strong sales and EBITDA guidance for the current quarter.
The stock only got hit because the CFO inartfully mentioned on the conference call that their AI business will include more full rack systems next year, meaning more systems with components not entirely made by Broadcom, and thus, the gross margins on those systems will be lower.
Oh, really scary. Oh, was the market stupid about this. It’s not a big deal, people. But remember, the stock had run up a great, really dramatically going into the quarter, so it got slammed. At the end of the day, I trust Broadcom CEO Hock Tan, he has never ever let me down, to keep delivering excellent numbers.
He will do it again. Historically speaking, every time the market’s doubted this guy, the market has been dead wrong. I told club members in that same think piece that I would hold onto Broadcom, but after today’s 20-point decline, it might be time to switch directions. Do some buying. So I feel good about Broadcom. You’re getting a real nice buying opportunity now… Broadcom, like I said to club members, stay close to your email. We could be pulling the trigger to buy more any minute.”
2. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 122
Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is one of the tech and consumer sector stocks that Jim Cramer talked about. Cramer discussed OpenAI and Oracle’s role in tech spending. He said:
“Behind the scenes, lurked OpenAI, the creative ChatGPT, which, along with Oracle have been… huge drivers of the burgeoning tech spend. For most of 2025, those are the stocks that drove the market higher, and that was the narrative we loved. Lately, though, skeptics have begun to challenge the notion of unlimited data spending. Oracle raised a huge amount of money in the bond market, $18 billion. But there’s now a belief in the market that Oracle may not somehow be money-good for the financing of this massive data center buildout, something that it’s doing largely on behalf of OpenAI. That’s the private company. You can tell because people have been buying credit default swaps on Oracle’s debt like crazy. Now, I do find that somewhat worrisome. I admit it.”
Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) provides cloud and on-premise software, databases, and IT infrastructure to help businesses manage operations. The company also offers hardware, consulting, and support services. During the December 15 episode, Cramer noted that he trusts Larry Ellison but not his biggest client, as he remarked:
“Last week turned brutal for the AI data center stocks when we got this pair of poorly received quarters from Oracle on Wednesday and then Broadcom on Thursday night. Oracle plunged 10.8% the next day. Broadcom dropped 11.4% on Friday. Dragged the whole group down with them… Oracle, I got to tell you, this is a tough one… You got two problems. You got the OpenAI. You got the Oracle balance sheet… What changed when Oracle reported last Wednesday?… Unlike Broadcom, Oracle legitimately disappointed… I trust Larry Ellison, Oracle’s co-founder, chairman, chief technology officer, but I don’t necessarily trust his biggest client, OpenAI, and I worry about the scale of what he’s trying to build here…
Oracle… remains a pretty fraught situation, and the one-two punch of bad news last week only made matters worse. If you want to bet on the data center story, there are a lot of better ways to do it. So here’s the bottom line: Ultimately, I remain positive on the broader AI data center build-out, but there are some increasingly glaring unresolved issues with Oracle, their biggest customer OpenAI, and with the nuts and bolts of mass data [center] construction, they’re all construction, these are all, this is what’s fraught. OpenAI and Oracle. I think you need to be careful with some of these stocks, the ones that don’t have great balance sheets or great credit ratings.”
1. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is one of the tech and consumer sector stocks that Jim Cramer talked about. Cramer praised the company’s CEO, as he said:
“Retail was pretty awful except for Walmart, which powered through everything as CEO Doug McMillon moved to keep prices low. His own one-man war against inflation. A war, I think, he may have won before he’s retired.”
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) operates retail stores, warehouse clubs, and online platforms that sell groceries, everyday essentials, home goods, apparel, electronics, and more. Cramer highlighted the stock during the November 20 episode and stated:
“This stock was already one of the best performers in the group, but its valuation got a little stretched, trading around 40 times earnings, and longtime CEO Doug McMillon plans to retire, pass the baton to the head of Walmart US in February. Turns out there was nothing to worry about at all. When Walmart reported this morning, it blew away the numbers… When you put it all together, it’s no wonder the world’s largest retailer saw its stock surge more than 6% today, although it was actually down at one point in the early morning, making it the best-performing in the S&P 500.
Every part of the business, US International, Sam’s Club, performing well. E-commerce continues to grow like a weed. And Walmart’s somehow finding ways to bring in more high-income consumers and take care of the lower-income shoppers to boot. Thoughtful. Oh, and a surprising development, Walmart, after thorough discussion with the board that Doug McMillon initiated, is moving over to the Nasdaq.
Here’s the bottom line: Walmart stock still looks expensive on an earnings basis, but on days like today, you can see why so many investors are willing to pay up for it. At the end of the day, investors are willing to pay a premium for quality, and Walmart’s among the best in the business. This is one you have to hope will come down in a broader market sell-off. I don’t know if there’s any other way to get it at a discount.”
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