On Friday, Jim Cramer, host of Mad Money, talked about the various market events taking place through the week and focused on corporate earnings, interest rates, and market expectations.
“The president’s been real quiet about stocks lately since the deal with Pfizer. That makes it look like the drug companies won’t get hurt too badly by the president’s plan to roll back drug prices. The gains in big pharma have been outstanding, and they continued today. I’d like to see a deal with at least one more drug company after this rally.”
READ ALSO: Jim Cramer Was Focused on These 15 Stocks Recently and Jim Cramer Recently Expressed Thoughts on These 18 Stocks.
Cramer explained why Friday’s comments from Austan Goolsbee, a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee, were important. He noted that Goolsbee spoke Friday morning and expressed concern that the current strength of the economy might not justify an interest rate cut. Cramer stressed that the recent rally has largely been fueled by expectations of further rate cuts, so Goolsbee’s tone had a dampening effect on the market earlier in the day. Adding to the uncertainty, he reminded viewers that due to ongoing federal furloughs, there was no labor report released on Friday.
“Here’s the bottom line: We have a lot of anecdotal evidence of weakness, but not anything hardcore. We need to watch this, as we’re about to head into earnings season, and the bulls could run into serious trouble if the Fed doesn’t take action. For my money, the economy away from the data center buildout is getting weaker. This is no time for indecision. The Fed needs to cut because too much of the economy, away from this multi-trillion dollar build-out, just isn’t going anywhere.”
Our Methodology
For this article, we compiled a list of 7 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on October 3. We listed the stocks in the order that Cramer mentioned them. We also provided hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the second quarter of 2025, which was taken from Insider Monkey’s database of over 900 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).
Jim Cramer’s Game Plan For This Week: 7 Stocks in Focus
7. Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36
Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer was optimistic about the company’s upcoming earnings, as he commented:
“After the close, Levi Strauss reports, and this company’s become very reliable despite tariffs. It hit a 52-week high today. That last quarter was extraordinary. I think another good one could be coming.”
Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) designs, markets, and sells apparel and accessories for men, women, and children under brands such as Levi’s, Dockers, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co., Denizen, and Beyond Yoga. During the July 10 episode, Cramer discussed the company’s last earnings. He stated:
“Heaven knows there’s been a lot of hand-wringing about the state of consumer lately, but maybe we should be a tad less worried. After the close… Levi Strauss & Company, the denim kingpin, reported a phenomenal quarter with 9% organic sales growth, trouncing the estimates. The European business is on fire, direct to direct-to-consumer strong, margins expanded substantially. Put it all together, and the company delivered a 9-cent earnings beat off a 13-cent basis. Not bad. Even better, management raised their full-year forecast even with the impact of the tariffs. No wonder the stock went flying right when the earnings were released. Pretty impressive given that this thing was already up 62% from its April lows.”
6. Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer called it a tough stock to own, as he said:
“Now we’ve got a couple of important earnings reports on Thursday, including PepsiCo and Delta in the morning… Delta’s a tough stock to own. It’s been among the best performers in the group, yet it’s still down 5% for the year. I know that consumer’s supposed to be weaker, but there’s still an appetite for travel. I think it might work as a trade, but like I say in my book, these are the toughest stocks to own. So many things can go wrong.”
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) provides passenger and cargo air transportation. The company operates a large fleet and global network across major hubs and also provides aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. Cramer discussed Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) during the March 12 episode and commented:
“Now for those of you who haven’t been paying attention, this week Delta Airlines slashed its first-quarter earnings outlook, citing, ‘the recent reduction in consumer and corporate confidence caused by increased macro uncertainty’, which they say drove ‘softness and domestic demand’ in recent weeks. Now for a long time, Delta was the best of the airlines so you really don’t want to hear that kind of commentary from them. Now these guys cut their guidance ahead of an appearance at the JPMorgan Industrials conference on Tuesday.
But honestly, these names have already come down dramatically over the past few weeks. This makes them very interesting to me. After this week’s blood bath, you got a lot of them are down 35 to 40%.
So given all the newfound negativity, why on earth would I stick my neck out and recommend some cheap travel plays? Look, as tough as these airlines, the updates were, the collective news, frankly, it wasn’t that horrible, at least not if you listen closely…
Let’s start with Delta, which kicked things off with this guidance cut. Monday night, Delta CEO Ed Bastian spoke with CNBC’s Phil LeBeau on Closing Bell that night and explained that the domestic, corporate, and consumer spending ‘started to stall’ in February, mostly due to lower consumer confidence. But he also said he believes this weakness is transitory… Bastian is pretty confident we’re not headed for a real recession.
Delta cut the revenue growth forecast from 8% to 4%… It is not great but in a recession, they, they’d be down double digits. Bastian also noted that some of the weakness came after a couple of high-profile air safety instances.”
Since the above comment, the company’s stock has gained over 26%.
5. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 68
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer showed concern about the company’s snack business in light of GLP-1 drugs and the younger generation’s healthier choices. He stated:
“Now we’ve got a couple of important earnings reports on Thursday, including PepsiCo and Delta in the morning. Now, recently, Elliott Management, a hard-charging and thoughtful activist fund, took a big stake in PepsiCo. They want changes. Will management go with Elliott, or is it going to fight Elliott? We’ll probably find out when PEP reports. It’s been a very tough time for shareholders of PepsiCo, but the stock now does yield 4% and it has a very solid snack franchise in Frito-Lay.
My concern, as usual, is with a younger generation that cares more about their health than their parents, and with the GLP-1 weight loss drugs that cut back craving, including cravings for Frito-Lay’s big business, which is potato chips. I think CEO Ramon Laguarta hasn’t been able to deliver of late with the stock down almost 7% for the year, while Coca-Cola’s up 7%. Comparisons are odious unless they’re in the stock business.”
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) manufactures, markets, and sells beverages and convenient foods. Some of the company brands are Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Lay’s, Gatorade, Doritos, Quaker, and Cheetos.
4. Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 67
Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. During the episode, Cramer discussed the company’s spin-off plans, as he remarked:
“Runner up, though, will be, well, it looks like a sleeper right now, Solstice, the Solstice analyst meeting. Solstice is Honeywell’s advanced materials spinoff, which is now getting zero credit… The breakup that Honeywell’s having will end up giving you a pure play aerospace company, which this market craves, as well as a building automation company that has some of the best technology and yet is unheralded… The Solstice is happening earlier.
Now, I don’t want to get ahead of myself as the materials company might be an undiscovered gem, but Honeywell’s making a pretty bold move here. You know, it’s breaking up what former CEO Dave Cote put together when he was running the company. Now, I praise Dave in my new book, How to Make Money in Any Market, for his acumen in turning divisions around and constantly shuffling the portfolio to upgrade performance. I believe he’d be very happy, though, with this breakup by Vimal Kapur, the current CEO. Although right now it’s in limbo because the big breakup between automation and aerospace is very far away, and no one wants to take a leap of faith. They won’t get in now for what’s going to happen more than a year from now.”
Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON) develops technologies that include aerospace, industrial automation, building management, and energy sustainability.
3. Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 54
Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer showed quite a positive sentiment toward the company’s upcoming earnings. He commented:
“Now, Dell, this one isn’t hard. They hold an analyst meeting on Tuesday, and I think it’s going to be terrific. This company has been the leader in working with NVIDIA to integrate artificial intelligence. When I sat down with Michael Dell earlier this year, I was blown away by how much business he’s doing in this space. Michael and his family office bought a huge amount of stock when Dell got clobbered earlier this year. It was a brilliant move. I think its analyst meeting will be the highlight of the week when it comes to things that can move stocks.”
Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL) provides technology solutions, including storage systems, servers, networking products, and personal computing devices, along with consulting, support, and financing services.
2. McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 47
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer called the company stock “always reliable,” as he said:
“Then we get results from the always reliable McCormick. Problem is, though, reliability hasn’t been enough to move the needle for this stock. The spice maker still has a premium multiple at a time when the packaged food group has fallen totally out of favor in this market. Let’s put it this way, if any food company can do well on a slowdown, it’s McCormick because spices are excellent trade down material. The stock’s down nearly 10% for the year and well off its high, so it has a fair chance to bounce, but I just don’t trust the whole group. Earlier this week, Conagra reported, and it bounced a tad on an inline number, so there’s some hope. But food’s now a tough business. It’s too hard for me.”
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) produces and sells spices, seasonings, condiments, and flavor products for consumers and food manufacturers. The company sells products under brands such as McCormick, French’s, Frank’s RedHot, Cholula, Lawry’s, and OLD BAY.
1. Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42
Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) is one of the stocks in Jim Cramer’s game plan for this week. Cramer started his game plan with the stock, as he remarked:
“Monday, Constellation Brands, STZ, reports. The company has fallen out of grace along with the rest of the alcohol plays. CEO Bill Newlands acknowledged on the last earnings call that the company is being impacted by ICE raids in popular shopping destinations. The declining volumes has matched the decline in the stock. Constellation has been trying to bounce of late. At 12 times earnings, it’s the cheapest I’ve ever seen it, but the multiple contraction seems justified given the company’s recent track record as well as the rise of GLP-1s, which reduce craving for everything, including alcohol.”
Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) produces and markets beer, wine, and spirits under brands such as Corona, Modelo, Robert Mondavi, Kim Crawford, and SVEDKA. During the June 27 episode, Cramer called it a “fallen idol,” as he commented:
“On Tuesday, we get results from former market darling, Constellation Brands. What a fallen idol. There’s so much to unpack here because this consumer packaged goods company is a microcosm of what’s gone wrong with this now pathetic group that used to be the place to go when there’s a slowdown. First: Constellation is an alcohol company, so all their products are being hurt by the GLP-1 drugs, which can blunt your craving for booze. That’s especially true for the big beers, which are Modelo [and] Corona, and then a new popular favorite, Pacifico.
Second: Increasingly, surveys show that there’s a switch from beer to cannabis because smoking weed is theoretically less fattening. I say theoretically because while alcohol has way more calories, it doesn’t give you the munchies. This younger generation cares more about their health than previous ones. Sounds fanciful, but it is true. Third: Constellation said its sales have been hurt by concerns in the Hispanic community about mass deportations. The stock’s been steadily declining all quarter.
It’s been downgraded by analysts jumping ship from the company that used to beat and raise and beat and raise over and over and over again. Used to be a big position for my trust. That was then. Now, we expect Constellation to miss. We’ll get the results Tuesday night, and the conference call will start on Wednesday morning. You’ll probably see the stock jump up when it reports. That’s what it typically does, and then it declines through the rest of the day. So let’s be careful.”
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