During the latest episode of Mad Money, which aired on May 13th, Jim Cramer unpacked the extraordinary rebound in U.S. markets following President Trump’s abrupt pivot away from aggressive tariffs, declaring:
“Trillions were lost. Bulls were turned into bears. Bears were turned into meat-eating grizzlies. And money poured out of stocks. Six weeks later, it’s like the whole thing never happened.”
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He emphasized how hedge funds and short-sellers were caught completely off guard, triggering one of the most dramatic reversals in recent history:
“The big money, the hedge funds, and the fast traders have been caught on the other side of the line of scrimmage, and it is costing them.”
Reflecting on Trump’s unexpected about-face—and its massive market implications—Cramer summed it up bluntly:
“The bears are paying the price while the individual investors who held on are basking in the glory of one of the greatest rallies ever, as the president ultimately made the extremely rational decision to not destroy the entire stock market.”
Our Methodology
For this article, we compiled a list of 10 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the Mad Money episode that aired on the 13th of May 2024. We then calculated their performance for the past 12 months, until May 13th, 2025, market close. We have also included the hedge fund sentiment for the stocks, which we sourced from Insider Monkey’s Q4 2024 database of over 900 hedge funds. The stocks are listed in the order that Cramer mentioned them.
Please note that this article mentions Jim Cramer’s previous opinions and may not account for any changes to his opinions regarding the stocks that are mentioned. It is primarily an examination of how his previously provided opinions have panned out.
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. Visa Inc. (NYSE:V)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 181
A concerned caller asked about Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) and whether the growing credit card debt was a reason for shareholders to worry about. Cramer dismissed this idea back then and replied with:
“No no no no no because it’s really- that would be a bank [that] would be worried about the credit card debt, not Visa. People just be issuing more and more cards. I think Visa- this is a fabulous level to get in. But you know, you’re down 11 from its high but that’s about all you ever seem to get. When it comes to Visa, I would be a buyer.”
Cramer’s optimism proved right, as the stock climbed 27.47% over the following year.
Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is a global payments technology company that facilitates electronic fund transfers and operates one of the world’s largest credit and debit card networks. When asked about the stock again in early April, here’s what Cramer had to say:
“Absolutely, my feeling on the stock of Visa is that is what I call an up stock. I’m going to give you twofer. I like MA too, which is MasterCard. They have no credit risk and they’re doing incredibly well. I like them.”
9. Eaton Corporation plc (NYSE:ETN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 88
During that older episode, a caller asked Cramer about Eaton Corporation plc (NYSE:ETN) and whether it was too late to increase his position as the time. Cramer did not hide how much he likes the stock and encouraged his viewer to buy, although cautiously, saying:
“Eaton is a great stock. It trades erratically, so that means that there are these moments where it goes down like four or five and you get to buy it. You have to put in an order for if it drops four or five — you can buy some for that day. Don’t put it good-til-canceled, just that day. And then if it falls even more than that, you can buy some more. But you got to wait — ’cause it’s a crazy trader. So we got to wait for it to decline.”
This wasn’t a great call, as the stock ended up barely moving since then, gaining just 0.68%
Eaton Corporation plc (NYSE:ETN) is a diversified industrial company that provides energy-efficient electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power management solutions for a wide range of industries. On the 2nd of May, Cramer gave his latest thoughts on the stock, saying:
“Now Eaton is a charitable trust name and I told Jeff Marks today, I’m losing my patience. Now the stock was up seven yesterday but Eaton was a good quarter. They have a lot of business that are in big mega cycles. But they do have a EV business that was down. I say, enough already. These, some of these are too hard to own.
“[on full year organic sales raise] I know and I was [inaudible]. . . .one of the reasons I’m sick of it is because I did buy it as a data center play. And, if you want a data center play, stick to Vertiv or get out. And I’m trying to understand all the megacycles. I hope Craig Arnold, I hope he tells a good game. I know he’s, he’s retiring. But Eaton really hurts. And I just think Eaton is better than this stock. The company is better than the stock. There. There.”
8. Cava Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 47
A viewer called in to ask about Cava Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA), following Cramer’s earlier comparison of the stock to Chipotle. After a sharp selloff at the time, the caller wanted to know whether it was a sector-wide issue or stock-specific. Cramer responded:
“It’s interesting question. I think you’re going to get — anytime you have a move the way Cava has moved — which again is this parabolic move situation — this stock’s up 77% for the year. So you got to believe that there’ll be some people say, ‘you know what, just ka-ching ka-ching ka-ching,’ and that’s what you’re experiencing. I wouldn’t be surprised if that didn’t go down to 70 — it’s had such a big run. But I’m sticking by my view that it could be another Chipotle.”
He was right to believe in the brand, as the stock rose 30.51% over the following year.
Cava Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA) is a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain offering customizable bowls and pitas made with fresh ingredients. On April 29, Cramer was asked about the stock and he replied:
“I like it here. I like it here for the long term. Why? Because I think the Mediterranean is a kind of food that can be like Chipotle, it can be the previous, you know, just the way Chipotle had a big run. I think Cava can too.”
7. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 83
In that older episode, a viewer with a small position in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) asked whether to add more. Cramer remained very positive on the company’s fundamentals but advised patience due to the elevated price:
“I think Chipotle is fantastic. I have to fight you on buying more here because it’s had — it is so close to its high. But just hold it and don’t make any sales — because you know it’s going to split by the way in June. You’re going to get a lot of stock. People are going to get excited about that. We might even actually trim some a little when it gets to that. But I think Chipotle fundamentals are just fantastic.”
Despite strong fundamentals, the stock dropped 20.75%, proving this recommendation missed the mark.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE:CMG) is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in burritos, bowls, and tacos made from responsibly sourced ingredients. Discussing the company’s recent earnings, Cramer said the following:
“[CMG and consumer headwinds] When I listened to that I said okay now I know why Kroger goes up every day. Now I know why Costco’s strong. There, Scott Boatwright had a very, this was the Chipotle call, it was a very straightforward call basically just saying, they didn’t mention the actual price of different things, but people would rather just have a couple of meals at home. Where it’s just cheaper.”
“Remember McDonalds came out with a $5 burger and their numbers spiked? Well, you have to address, if I were Chipotle right now, I’d be thinking, okay, I gotta come up with a limited-time only offer that is, that’s cheaper. Now Scott, to his credit said, listen we gotta have people smile more. Okay. I like smiles.”
6. Strategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:MSTR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 44
A caller who had lost money on Strategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:MSTR) back then after buying at a much higher price asked for advice. Cramer was blunt about the company’s exposure to Bitcoin:
“All this company really is — just to be clear — it trades off of Bitcoin, because Michael Saylor, who runs the company, he just buys Bitcoin. And I think that that’s what happened — it’s accentuated Bitcoin. I always tell people — if you want Bitcoin, don’t buy MicroStrategy, buy Bitcoin. And that’s what I think you are in, and that’s what I think you should do.”
That advice missed a rocket ship, as the stock soared 238.38%.
Strategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:MSTR) is a business intelligence software company that has become known for holding large amounts of Bitcoin as part of its corporate treasury strategy. In response to a caller’s question in April, Cramer remains firm in his opinion, saying:
“Oh… No, no. Look, we like Bitcoin. We actually buy Bitcoin. That’s what we do. We want Bitcoin. We buy Bitcoin.”
5. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 21
A viewer called to check in on AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV), which had been selected for a military program at the time. Cramer reiterated his long-standing bullish stance:
“Oh yeah, no — we’ve been behind AeroVironment forever. And the reason is because they make drones that are much less expensive than the other stuff that the military buys. If we’re going to win in the wars that we’re involved in, we need cheap drones — not the real expensive stuff — because the real expensive stuff, you can’t make fast enough, and it’s just going to bankrupt our budget.”
The drone maker did not fly higher, falling 11.04% since that segment.
AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) is a defence contractor that designs and manufactures small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and tactical missile systems.
4. Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRL)
Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 30
A caller asked about Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRL) in that older episode, one of several infrastructure stocks benefiting from U.S. federal funding at the time. Cramer grouped it with other winners in the sector:
“Every one of these is going to be the same thing — whether it be PWR, or whether it be AECOM, or whether it be Sterling — these are infrastructure plays that are working because that money is starting to pour in from the federal government. That’s why that’s a winner.”
The stock was indeed a winner, rising 46.38% since Cramer’s prediction.
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRL) is a construction and engineering company specializing in infrastructure projects including highways, civil works, and water management systems. However, during an episode that aired at the beginning of the year, Cramer was more cautious about the stock, saying:
“Now, let me tell you, it is a lot like other companies. It is living off, I think, a lot of the federal money that has been spent. So, I don’t want to get greedy here. It is just two points off the high. I say you take some off the table, okay? Take some off the table and let the rest run.”
3. Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:NUS)
Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 29
During that older episode, a viewer inquired about Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:NUS), hoping it might offer value after a drop. Cramer quickly dismissed it back then, saying:
“The personal care space is very, very difficult — and that is not the one you want to be in. It is an overvalued stock even at these prices.”
That rejection aged perfectly, as the stock plummeted another 45.00%.
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:NUS) is a personal care and wellness company that sells skincare products and nutritional supplements through a direct-selling model.
2. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB)
Number of Hedge Funds Investors: 35
In that older episode, a viewer brought up Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB), asking about its prospects amid EV industry weakness at the time. Cramer wasn’t optimistic when he replied with:
“Anything connected with the EVs right now is a no-go. That stock’s going to just mark some time. Maybe go up a little bit.”
That prediction turned out to be right on the money as Albemarle collapsed 52.96%.
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) is a specialty chemicals company and one of the world’s largest producers of lithium used in electric vehicle batteries. Cramer sticks to his guns when it comes to EVs. When asked about the stock again earlier in April, here’s what he replied with:
“I can’t go with it. I can’t go. I’ll tell you why I can’t go with it—because in the end, we forgot about EVs. I mean, we’re pretty sure we’re going to be buying gas guzzlers. I want to stay away from that one, but so does everybody else. That’s the only problem.”
1. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 105
A viewer asked about Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) back then and whether it was a buy after recent earnings disappointments at the time. Cramer admitted past mistakes and no longer supported the stock:
“I got Oracle wrong. Two quarters in a row. I thought they were going to do it big and then they didn’t. And I felt it was wrong to continue to hold it. I sold it — sold it at a bad price. I have to defer to others who know Oracle better than I do. That’s how I like to look at it.”
Unfortunately for him, Oracle rebounded strongly, rising 39.44% over the year.
Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is a multinational technology company that provides cloud applications, database software, and enterprise IT infrastructure solutions. It appears that Cramer has changed his course on the stock. Here’s what he said when asked about it on May 2nd:
“Well, last quarter was not good. Last quarter was not good, okay, but I think the stock started to show you something today. I think it showed you that if you get a better tape and a better tech tape, you’re going to make some money in Oracle. I urge you to hold on. Would I be a buyer? Yes.”
ORCL is a stock Jim Cramer recently discussed. While we acknowledge the potential of ORCL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ORCL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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