On Wednesday, Jim Cramer, the host of Mad Money, took to discussing how President Donald Trump’s influence shapes the market’s behavior.
“When you see a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park, you call a park ranger because these bears are dangerous… but the grizzlies turn into teddy bears when the rangers come, and you can’t even remember what you were so afraid of…. We can only presume that the president can turn the grizzlies on Wall Street into teddy bears with a stroke of a pen or even just a post on the social media platform he owns. I’ve never ever seen the market bend so readily to the wishes of one man. It’s extraordinary.”
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Cramer also addressed the tensions between President Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. He highlighted how Powell was painted a “major loser” whose removal seemed inevitable in Trump’s eyes. Cramer noted that the President clarified he had no intention of firing Powell, which eased Wall Street’s concerns. When the name-calling between Trump and Powell stopped, Cramer observed that the stock market surged higher as investors were relieved that the possibility of a constitutional crisis was no longer a threat.
“Now, I want to say something here. I think it is actually, it’s beyond belief how easy it is for this one man to tame a bear, even if it’s a bear that he released on us in the first place.”
Cramer also pointed out that the President’s suggestion of a potential deal with China, while vague, was seen as an improvement and contributed to the market’s upward movement. He noted that for those hoping for higher stock prices, Trump’s actions seemed to have worked.
“Bottom line: That’s how powerful Trump has become on Wall Street. On days like today, it’s helpful, but for most of the year, it’s going the other way. Of course, you never know who he’ll target next. We don’t want any of the big CEOs to be trashed. That could hurt. The market doesn’t care if he goes after law firms or colleges, but going after the Central Bank, different story. Right now, Trump owns Wall Street and only he can decide if that’s going to be a good thing or a bad thing. I think it’s time to go all in on good.”
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 April 23. We listed the stocks in the order that Cramer mentioned them. We also provided hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the fourth quarter of 2024, which was taken from Insider Monkey’s database of over 1,000 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 Put These 16 Stocks Under a Microscope
16. Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A
Answering a caller’s question about Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG), Cramer stated, “You got to tell him not to get near Venture Global… It’d just be vicious if he owns that stock.”
Venture Global (NYSE:VG) focuses on building and operating natural gas liquefaction and export facilities near Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. The company is engaged in natural gas transport, handles shipping, oversees regasification, and sells LNG. ClearBridge Investments stated the following regarding Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG) in its Q1 2025 investor letter:
“Conversely, holdings in the energy sector, led by Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE:VG) and Noble, weighed on relative performance. We participated in the IPO for the natural gas liquefaction and export construction company Venture Global but saw its share price decline after management reduced their valuation expectations. However, we believe that the company’s disruptive modular LNG technology — which they are deploying at massive scale and at attractive returns — represents a truly attractive opportunity for long-term growth in natural gas.”
15. CRH plc (NYSE:CRH)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 90
A caller asked for Cramer’s opinion of CRH plc (NYSE:CRH), and he said:
“You know, building materials right now is not the place to be. I’ll tell you, though, if you really want to be in, near that area, I would go with Martin Marietta Materials or even Vulcan Materials. Those are my two material stocks that I like.”
CRH (NYSE:CRH) provides materials and products used in building, infrastructure, and outdoor projects. Its offerings include construction materials, precast concrete, drainage systems, and engineered solutions for sectors like transportation, utilities, and residential development.
On April 15, RBC Capital analyst Anthony Codling decreased the price target on CRH (NYSE:CRH) to $108 from $127 and kept an Outperform rating. In a note to investors, the analyst said the model was updated ahead of Q1 results to account for recent weather trends and economic uncertainty in the US.
14. Arista Networks Inc (NYSE:ANET)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 78
Answering a caller’s query about Arista Networks Inc (NYSE:ANET), Cramer commented:
“Listen up, Arista Networks is down way too much. Jayshree Ullal is a winner. This stock is being treated as if it’s a loser. I want to buy it right here at $70.”
Arista Networks (NYSE:ANET) provides advanced networking products built for data centers, campus environments, and routing needs. Its focus is on AI-driven switches and software that support automation, monitoring, and security. Toward the end of March, Cramer said:
“It’s never been this cheap that I can recall and you know, I love Jayshree Ullal, but here’s the problem, it’s a data center stock. We gotta see some bounce in the data center. I cannot stick my neck out and have one more data center in my Charitable Trust… Candidly, it’s been a house of pain.”
13. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 81
Cramer said that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) “is the way to go,” as he remarked:
“… My Charitable Trust owns Goldman. When I’ve seen Goldman this cheap and I know how good they are, worked there at one time, I gotta tell you, I think Goldman, at 11.8 times earnings, is the way to go.”
Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) is a financial company recognized for its work in investment banking. It offers wealth management and a range of other financial services. Cramer mentioned the company during April 11’s episode as he discussed:
“Goldman’s by far the most controversial. Why? Because as an investment bank, its business can be pretty episodic. I think Goldman can do it because Goldman’s a changed firm, one that’s no longer gripped by the picaresque tradition of Wall Street. I bet CEO David Solomon can deliver on the top and bottom lines and the top because of trading, that used to be their forte, and the bottom because of rationalization of the bank’s table of employment. Basically, they can beat the numbers by firing a bunch of people, which they’ve been doing. It’s smart to do that. We’re in a different market.”
12. Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:IBKR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69
During the lightning round, a caller asked for Cramer’s thoughts on Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:IBKR), and he replied, “Well, I think it, I think it’s good, but I actually like Robinhood.”
Interactive Brokers (NASDAQ:IBKR) is an electronic brokerage company that handles trade execution, clearing, and settlement. It also provides services like custody, prime brokerage, securities lending, and margin lending. Earlier in February, when Cramer was asked about the company, he said, “They’re good. Stock’s very high and stock’s very expensive, but they’re good.”
11. Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36
Expressing bullishness on Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX), Cramer said, “I like Paycor too. Remember that? Just got bought by Paychex. Yes, that’s a good space.”
Paychex (NASDAQ:PAYX) delivers human capital management services that include payroll, HR, benefits, insurance, and retirement plan administration. Its focus is on serving small and mid-sized businesses. On March 26, Cramer stated:
“Another’s Paychex… Paychex works with small and medium-sized US businesses… and they offer all sorts of services, services being precisely the kind of thing that won’t be hit by tariffs. Remember, you may think that’s a low bar, but think again. So many of our major companies have expanded overseas that the sea of the S&P 500 is pretty much blanketed with mines and we have very pure public service companies.”
10. Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE:PAYC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35
Mentioning the love towards the company’s products, a caller inquired about Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE:PAYC) during the episode, and Cramer said, “Yeah, that’s a great human capital software, and you’re absolutely right.”
Paycom Software (NYSE:PAYC) offers a cloud-based platform that helps businesses manage the full employee lifecycle with tools for hiring, payroll, time tracking, performance, and compliance. Its software provides data-driven features to streamline HR processes and improve workforce management. Polen Capital stated the following regarding Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE:PAYC) in its Q4 2024 investor letter:
“In the fourth quarter, the top relative contributors to the Portfolio’s performance were Shopify, Amazon, and Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE:PAYC). Paycom Software is a leading cloud-native payroll and human capital management (HCM) software provider. Earlier in the year, we initiated a new position on weakness related to a self-inflicted go-to-market issue whereby the company was a bit heavy-handed migrating customers to its next-generation, self-serve product known as BETI. At the time, we felt this was a temporary issue very much within Paycom’s control, and recent results support this thesis. Notably, the stock was up more than 20% after solid, yet not spectacular, third quarter earnings and encouraging new customer growth, signaling the worst was behind them. We continue to believe Paycom is among the most advantaged software players in the payroll/HCM segment, with a long runway for growth ahead.”
9. Vestis Corporation (NYSE:VSTS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 48
When a caller asked about Vestis Corporation (NYSE:VSTS) during the lightning round, Cramer remarked, “Yeah, we like Cintas here. We’re not Vestis people. We’re Cintas people.”
Vestis (NYSE:VSTS) offers uniform rentals and workplace essentials, including a variety of garments, footwear, and accessories. It also supplies items like restroom products, first-aid kits, safety gear, and linens. On April 4, Barclays reduced the price target on VSTS stock to $10 from $13 and maintained an Underweight rating on the stock. In a research note, the analyst mentioned that the company’s challenges appear to be ongoing following the departure of its CEO.
8. Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 166
A caller asked for thoughts on Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER), and Cramer stated, “I like Uber very much. I think it goes higher. Hold it for multiple years.”
Uber (NYSE:UBER) develops technology that powers transportation, delivery, and freight services. It connects people to rides, supports merchants with order delivery, and runs a logistics platform for shipping and carriers. Over the past year, UBER stock gained more than 10%. Moreover, on March 18, Cramer commented, “No, Uber’s a buy. You want to buy Uber right here.”
7. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62
Inquiring about Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), a caller mentioned that the current environment does not seem profitable for the construction industry. Here’s what Cramer had to say in response:
“You’re right, it’s not… and boy, Jim Umpleby retiring. Oh man, is he good. He’s the guy who really turned the company into a, into what I call a secular grower. That said, it’s not expensive, but you’re right, it may not be the time to own Caterpillar. It is a better, there may be a better season coming.”
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) builds equipment for construction and mining, produces industrial engines, and makes diesel-electric locomotives. It offers financial services, handles parts distribution, manages logistics, and develops technology-based solutions.
6. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 105
A caller asked if it was a good time to buy Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL), and Cramer replied:
“Oracle is way beaten down. It’s another one of those stocks that’s being hurt because it’s gotten into the data center. Look, it’s up four today. I never counsel buying a stock up four, but I will say this, Oracle has multiple…. compressed to the point where it’s now an inexpensive stock, and that’s what matters.”
Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) is a technology company that delivers a broad mix of IT solutions designed to support business operations. In early April, Cramer said:
“Oracle and Salesforce peaked back in December; they’re now down almost 30% from their highs. […] The Department of Defence said it would cancel an Oracle contract to modernize the Pentagon’s HR system. There’s some hope that Oracle could recover the contract, but that could be roughly $100 million in annual recurring revenue down the drain. Sure, that’s a rounding error for Oracle, a company that’s expected to bring in more than $57 billion in revenue this year, but it’s a warning sign for the industry.”
5. Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 126
Noting the rise in Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock on Wednesday, Cramer stated:
“Now here’s the real kicker and the difference between Yellowstone and Wall Street. The ranger can’t really make the grizzly get on its hind legs and dance. But the president, he got the bear doing a kickline…. Tesla, here’s a company that reported one of the worst quarters in years. I mean, it’s really terrible, it’s just dismal, but the stock’s soared more than 5%. Why? Because CEO Elon Musk is getting outta DOGE. He’s spending more time with Tesla. That’s enough. Now, if this were one of those days where President Trump pokes fun at major world leaders and doubles the tariffs on the spot, Tesla stock would’ve taken it on the chin, but when the president backs away from his high-risk demands, the market’s suddenly very forgiving.”
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) develops and sells electric vehicles and energy products. The company offers services like vehicle financing, energy storage systems, solar technology, and other related solutions to various customers.
4. Texas Instruments Incorporated (NASDAQ:TXN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 66
Discussing Texas Instruments Incorporated’s (NASDAQ:TXN) “terrific numbers”, Cramer said:
“Given that the whole world’s thinking we’re about to have a recession here because of the extreme tariff turmoil, these are the kinds of companies that should be slashing the numbers, but they’re not. They’re raising the numbers. Oh, and just tonight, the storied Texas Instruments, which has been struggling mighty of late, shed the weaknesses, put up terrific numbers that might be enough to ignite what had been a more abundant chip cohort.”
Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:TXN) designs and sells semiconductor products. Its offerings center on power management, signal processing, and embedded computing, and they are used across industries like automotive, industrial, personal electronics, and communications.
3. GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 111
Coming to GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV), Cramer remarked:
“What’s really going on here? Look, the president is very powerful, especially when he is fixing problems of his own creation, but something else is going on here too. The companies that reported yesterday and today gave you amazing numbers with excellent forecasts, even if the tariffs stay on. The CEOs of these companies, one by one, calmly talked about how the business is terrific and could even get better. Not the stuff that you expect when you think that we’re supposed to have a recession… GE Vernova, a company that’s furiously trying to meet the demand for more electricity in this country, and it can’t meet that demand. It has too much business. I’m calling it a high-quality problem.”
GE Vernova (NYSE:GEV) offers advanced solutions that support how electricity is produced, transferred, converted, and stored across energy systems. Artisan Partners stated the following regarding GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) in its Q4 2024 investor letter:
“Notable adds in the quarter included GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) and Oracle. GE Vernova is the power, wind and electrification spinoff from the former GE conglomerate. The company benefits from large global market shares across its businesses, high barriers to entry and a substantial installed base that generates multiyear service revenue streams. Now that the company is standing on its own, we believe it is in the early innings of a turnaround story while benefiting from an attractive underlying demand environment. As the world continues to decarbonize, the resulting need for power, wind and electrification equipment is poised to drive attractive growth over the coming years. Our work on AI data center growth and electrification implications strengthened our conviction in GE Vernova in the quarter, particularly its natural gas business, which we believe will need to act as a bridge fuel as technology companies try to balance AI data center growth with decarbonization targets.”
2. ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 110
Cramer highlighted ServiceNow, Inc.’s (NYSE:NOW) recently reported solid earnings results as he said:
“What’s really going on here? Look, the president is very powerful, especially when he is fixing problems of his own creation, but something else is going on here too. The companies that reported yesterday and today gave you amazing numbers with excellent forecasts, even if the tariffs stay on. The CEOs of these companies, one by one, calmly talked about how the business is terrific and could even get better. Not the stuff that you expect when you think that we’re supposed to have a recession… ServiceNow, a huge enterprise software company that reported arguably the best enterprise software quarter we’ve seen all year. ServiceNow is a hero stock, putting up insanely good numbers when its stock seems to indicate that we get a shortfall. Totally wrong.”
ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW) provides digital solutions that help businesses automate work and make operations more efficient.
1. Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 92
Noting the fast pace of Vertiv Holdings Co’s (NYSE:VRT) business, Cramer commented:
“What’s really going on here? Look, the president is very powerful, especially when he is fixing problems of his own creation, but something else is going on here too. The companies that reported yesterday and today gave you amazing numbers with excellent forecasts, even if the tariffs stay on. The CEOs of these companies, one by one, calmly talked about how the business is terrific and could even get better. Not the stuff that you expect when you think that we’re supposed to have a recession…. Vertiv, perhaps the most important company in that red-hot data center business. And their business is incredibly strong, no cessation in sight. In fact, I think it’s accelerating. You’re getting that acceleration for free.”
Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT) delivers solutions for digital infrastructure as it handles lifecycle services for data centers, communication systems, and various commercial or industrial operations.
While we acknowledge the potential of Vertiv Holdings Co (NYSE:VRT) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that 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 VRT but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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