Jim Cramer Blog

Wednesday's show started with Cramer talking about dry bulk shipping stocks. He likes them because they have large dividends, plus the stocks have room to go up. Over the past 6 months they have been ignored by most investors while going up. Cramer recommends OceanFreight (OCNF), Paragon Shipping (PRGN), Diana Shipping (DSX), and Genco Shipping (GNK). Cramer then had the chairman of Genco on the show to explain how this business works and where he thinks his company and the industry are heading.
eBay (EBAY): After the break, Cramer said that you should hold on to eBay and that he thinks the stock will go up to $50. He then continued his analysis on dry bulk shipping stocks. Cramer said that Paragon is his favorite conservative shipper, and Diana is his favorite shipper with more risk, since it hasn't contracted out all its shipping for 2008. Cramer thinks rates will rise.
Cramer then went to the phones. The first caller asked about Nicor (GAS) and its relationship to Cuban democracy once Castro dies, and Cramer said that Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) and Freeport McMoran (FCX) are better Cuban democracy plays. The next caller asked about Superior Offshore (DEEP), which Cramer thinks you should wait until November to buy if you are interested in the stock.
After the lightning round Cramer had Mark Penn, the author of Microtrends, on the show. Cramer thinks this book will give him stock ideas for the next 25 shows. The Microtrends plays that Cramer mentioned on today's show are lululemon (LULU) and Gamestop (GME).
"Am I Diversified?,"
First caller asked if Google (GOOG), Manulife (MFC), Brocade (BRCD), Volvo (VOLV) and CVRD (RIO) represented a diversified portfolo. Cramer blessed the portfolio. Second caller asked about Halliburton (HAL), Peabody (BTU), Google, Enterprise (EPD), and cash. Cramer said the portfolio relied on "too much energy complex." The final caller asked about Apple (AAPL), McDonald's (MCD), Caterpillar (CAT), ConocoPhillips (COP) and Schering-Plough (SGP). Cramer said "You've got absolute diversification."

Labels: BNS, DEEP, DSX, Ebay, FCX, GAS, GNK, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, Mad MOney Recap, OCNF, PRGN

Buy Back Stock, Get Taken Over: Cigna (NYSE: CI), Sonic (NasdaqGS: SONC), United Stationers (NasdaqGS: USTR)
Cramer observed an interesting fact about takeovers; out of 14 companies which bought back a minimum of 17% of their stock last year, four were taken over. Although four out of 14 may not be an impressive figure at first glance, Cramer comments finding a takeover is like winning the lottery. Companies who buy back stock agressively are keen to increase their own value; "Any company buying back 17% or more of its shares doesn't need to be public." Cramer devoted the program to discussing potential takeover targets with generous buybacks. He gave a passing mention to CI, which is repurchasing stock, although he has covered the company already, and SONC, which he did not discuss because he is concerned about consumer spending. His first featured stock was office products wholesaler USTR, which has a buyback level of 20% and is a "primo" takeover target. He adds the company has a "good margin expansion story" and is currently covered by only three analysts.
On the Brinks (NYSE: BCO)
Brinks bought back 21% of its stock in 2006, and Cramer comments companies like BCO don't "just shrink the float -- they devour it." One segment of the company produces armored cars and the other manufactures security alarms, and BCO could split itself in two or could be bought. Cramer notes BCO is paying off its debts as aggressively as it is buying back stock.

The Skinny on Weight Watchers (NYSE: WTW)
Cramer's favorite stock on Monday was WTW, not only because obesity is a hot issue, but because it has among the most "voracious" buybacks he has ever seen along with a generous cash flow. He adds WTW is a "tremendous" brand, has a good business model, strong licensing and online businesses, and a satisfying quarterly report. Cramer predicts if WTW doesn't get bought, it could take itself private; "takeover or no takeover, Weight Watchers is a buy," Cramer said.
CEO Interview: Peter Georgiopoulos, CEO and Chairman of General Maritime (NYSE: GMR), Chairman of Genco Shipping & Trading (NYSE: GNK), and Chairman of Aegean Marine Petroleum (NYSE: ANW)
When Cramer asked why Peter Georgiopoulos wears so many hats, he replied that while it would be simpler to consolidate the three companies, shareholders prefer to be invested in a specific market; "we think we'll get a better valuation for a pure play." Georgiopoulos notes GMR is up 40% since December and has a fixed $2 dividend in the works. Cramer said Georgiopoulos " is the guy I'm sticking with."
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: ANW, BCO, CI, GMR, GNK, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, SONC, USTR, WTW

Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY):' ... none of these is as good as Lundin or Yamana Gold. So let's just stick with the winners.'Lundin Mining (AMEX: LMC):Genco Shipping (NYSE: GNK): 'You've got a good one, I salute you, and keep the pressure on. Keep buying these stocks with good dividends.'MetLife (NYSE: MET)Prudential (NYSE: PRU)Manulife (NYSE: MFC)eBay (NasdaqGS: EBAY): 'I'm not ready yet to take the victory lap ... I didn't get back on the eBay horse until 28. I like this stock here. I don't want to sell it ... I feel strongly that we're in the first quarter of a major turn for eBay. ... The stock goes higher.'Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM): 'I think the stock's gonna be up pretty big now. ... the Japanese love a trend reversal ... that stock sees 125 by Friday.'Energy Metals (NYSEArca: EMU)Mosaic (NYSE: MOS)Brocade (NasdaqGS: BRCD): 'I think the stock works its way over time to 12.'EMC (NYSE: EMC): ' EMC went from 10 to 15. I think Brocade only will do the same.'Ameren (NYSE: AEE): 'Why is Ameren still independent? ... It should have been taken over by now. ... I want you to stick with it.'Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM): 'The shorts right now are in a House of Pain ... WaMu's doing better than we thought ... not as bad as what the shorts thought.'
Bearish calls:
Northgate Minerals (AMEX: NXG)Northern Orion (AMEX: NTO): 'Reminds me of Northgate Minerals ... but none of these is as good as Lundin or Yamana Gold. So let's just stick with the winners.'Uranerz Energy (AMEX: URZ): 'I think you should ring the register.'Intel (NasdaqGS: INTC): 'I'm not gonna be a bear on Intel down here, but it's simply Don'tBuy ... it's not expensive, it has a lot of cash. But there's nothing happening there that would make me recommend the stock.'

Labels: AEE, AUY, EMC, GNK, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LMC, Mad Money, MET, MFC, MOS, NTO, NXG, PRU, TM, URZ, WM