We recently published a list of 10 Large Cap Stocks Jim Cramer Can’t Stop Talking About. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) stands against the other large cap stocks Jim Cramer can’t stop talking about.
In a recent episode of Mad Money, Jim Cramer highlights a critical gap in the American education system, which often overlooks financial literacy despite its importance. While students may graduate with extensive knowledge in subjects like chemistry, history, and languages, they rarely receive practical education on managing personal finances. Cramer emphasizes that financial planning, retirement readiness, and investing are seldom covered, leaving many people uninformed about crucial money management skills.
“There is a gaping hole in the American education system, although I hesitate even to call it a system. When you go to high school, they teach you chemistry, geometry, and physics. You have English classes, history classes, and foreign language classes. You can graduate from college speaking three languages with a deep understanding of quantum physics or ancient philosophy. But you know the one thing they almost never teach you in middle school or high school, let alone college? Financial literacy.
And I’m not talking about economics here—you could be an econ major and still learn nothing about financial planning or retirement readiness, let alone investing. Money is just not talked about. Frankly, it’s become the third rail of American education. You’re a thousand times more likely to read Marx’s “Das Kapital” than to read anything about planning a budget or picking stocks.”
Cramer’s mission is to bridge this gap through the CNBC Investing Club, where he and the Charitable Trust provide practical financial guidance. He stresses the significance of retirement planning, noting that while 401(k) plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are key tools for saving, many people lack comprehensive understanding of their benefits and limitations.
“That’s why I’m on a constant mission to teach you how to manage your money, which is what we do every day in the CNBC Investing Club, with the Charitable Trust providing a constant source of examples. When it comes to managing your money, nothing is more important than retirement. Sooner or later, you’re going to stop working—hopefully sooner rather than later, unless you really love your job. I’m betting most of you, even if you don’t own individual stocks, still have some money in a 401(k) plan.
Decades ago, corporate pensions started going the way of the dodo, and now the 401(k) is the main way that Americans save for retirement. They’re offered by your employer, and they’re among the greatest tax-deferred investment vehicles out there, along with the IRA. And I’m not talking about the Irish Republican Army—I’m not even talking about the Inflation Reduction Act, for that matter. I mean the Individual Retirement Account.”
Cramer points out that while contributing to a 401(k) is widely advised, it’s not always the best strategy for everyone. Despite its tax advantages and the ability to defer taxes on contributions, 401(k) plans can have drawbacks, such as hidden fees that diminish returns.
“Hear me out, darn it—you need to know this stuff. Your future self will thank you for getting your retirement funds in order. While you may think you know everything you need to know about these tax-favored accounts, the truth is there’s a lot the so-called experts don’t tell you or don’t want you to know. For example, conventional wisdom says that you absolutely must invest in your 401(k)—you’d have to be a fool not to contribute.
Many experts will even advise you to max out your 401(k) contributions every year if you can afford to. Right now, the maximum contribution is over 20 grand, with room for an additional 7 grand if you’re over 50. It tends to rise gradually over time, usually a little faster than inflation. In 2004, it was $13,000; by 2023, it was $22,500. Either way, that’s a serious chunk of change, even with these contributions coming from your pre-tax income.”
He argues that understanding both the benefits and the shortcomings of these retirement accounts is essential for making informed financial decisions. Cramer encourages individuals to educate themselves about these investment options to ensure their retirement savings are managed effectively.
“However, sometimes I think it can be the wrong approach. I’m not going to sing the praises of the noble 401(k) plan or tell you it’s the key to your financial salvation because 401(k) plans can be a real mixed bag. Sure, they have a couple of really great features, but they also have a lot of bad ones, and those problematic features will eat away at your returns—sometimes through fees that are almost totally hidden from you. I do not like that. So let me lay out the good, the bad, and the ugly of 401(k) plans. Then I’ll tell you whether it makes sense for you to contribute more money to your own 401(k)—maybe there’s a better way for you to invest for retirement.”
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Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 308
Market Capitalization: 1.85T
Jim Cramer shared his views on Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), explaining that he recently purchased more shares of the company because he felt the market was too critical of its last quarterly performance. Cramer believes Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a solid investment and expects it to continue performing well in the future.
“We recently bought more Amazon shares because I believe the market was too harsh on their last quarter. Amazon is a buy, and I think it will continue to perform well.”
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s Q2 2024 earnings report reveals a strong recovery, with revenue reaching $134 billion, up 11% from the previous year, and net income soaring to $6.7 billion, up from $6.75 billion from the same quarter last year. This turnaround is largely driven by a 19% increase in revenue from Amazon Web Services (AWS), underscoring Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s dominant position in the cloud and AI markets. Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s investment in generative AI and warehouse automation supports its long-term growth prospects, especially in high-margin areas.
Although the retail segment faces some challenges due to cautious consumer spending, Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s strategic improvements in its delivery network and shopping experience are expected to enhance margins and increase market share. Analysts remain optimistic about Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s future, with expectations for continued growth in AWS and positive outlooks from major financial institutions like JPMorgan and Wedbush.
Overall AMZN ranks 1st on our list of the large cap stocks Jim Cramer can’t stop talking about. While we acknowledge the potential of AMZN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that under the radar AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AMZN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
